Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-11-25
ashington Letter,
WasniNGroN, ny, -. 1856,


Although the approaching session uf Con.
gress vii be Short. There are indication
that it viii be an active anl Ou.y one Nauv
Senators and Representatives have arrived
during the week, aud some Of them have
gone 10 work in heir committee room. .s hiie
others getting ready for business Indeed
there is a sufficient number Of Senator, here
for a session Of the Upper House, aai i, j..
tie intention Of several cha,rm,n OF
Senate committees 10 call specla mrc;ins,
before Congress opens.
Senators sherman, Morfill. Edmund,. aud
Others may be seen at the Capitol every DAY
now. busy at work. if one will take the
trouble To walk around and glance into their
committee rooms. MANY of,he Capitol en-
ployes, too. have returned from their va
cations, and are gradually assuming their
accustomed duties. Both wings Of the Cap
itol are rapidly progressing in the work Of
reno' alton, and the carpets. seats. aud desks
are being laid and placed in posi-
ton IN the Senate Chamber and kali Of the
House
The President is behind barred doors
preparing his annual message. In ortrr to
find time for this duty, be was compelled to
slam the door in the face Of visitors and Of
fee seekers. but now he IS IN even more SER
ious trouble, for his right hand man has
been called away Ia the bedside Of his aged
father, and it is possible that the Colonel may
be detained some time In that event the
President might be compelled, through lack
Of time and assistance, to cut his message
short, for which Congress would be grateful.
II would also stand a chance, unlike
of being read through by some peo-
pie.
Mr.. Cleveland has not been in a good
humor for the past few DAYS. Some prom
inent politicians from New York have
been 10 see him. and hs heard some very
plain talk abou, his Civil Service policy.
When he last appeared in the East Room to
shake hands with his callers, the expression
on his face plainly indicated an annoyed
state of mind. He couldn't smile, and was
not cordial, and the people went away with a
feeling that the ceremony was decidedly far
cica.
Although the President has ordered that
his country home be called "Oak View" in
stead of "Red Top" it il not certain that he
has more influence as christener than a
knigh, of the quill. .Red Top because the
roof of the house was painted red, was the
name started BY one Of those disrespectful
newspaper men whom Mr.. Cleveland would
like to obliterate, for '.desecrating his dom
estic privacy" OF course no administration
people will hereafter speak of this country
place as "Red Top" but the name is very
popular. and if the President does not stop
disgruntling the boys in newspaper row,
it will be "Red Top" to the end of the
chapter.
The apathy over the result of the elections
is such as has scarcely been witnessed here
since the war ended. Democrats are dis
gusted with the administration, and although
hundreds Of Virginians and Marylanders re-
siding here are legal voters in those States,
very few went home to vote, although free
passes were provided for those who would
accept them. When a Virginia Democrat,
speaking Of the Republican victory in his
State, says II am glad ofit," he must be
deeply demoralized. And yet many Of them
sayit. As to the Republican officials and
Government employees here, they are very
much pleased with.the result, but do not dare
to enthuse over il to any marked extent,
for fear of being dismissed for "per-
nicious activity" or "oH.nsiye PARTISAN
ship"
A few evenings ago. when Representative
Barbour, Of Virginia, reached Washington on
his return from Europe, whers be had been
spending the Congressional vacation, the
Virginia Association gave him rafting