New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-01-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.

! Although the present session of Con-
gress began quietly, proceedings at the
Capitol became more animated with
each week. In the Senate there has
been an immense amount of oratory on
the silver question from Democrats
who felt constrained, to differ from
the President and advocate continued
coinage.
The majorityin the House of Repre-.
sentatives, coerced by the contingency
of possible Republican restoration be-
fore 1888, adopted the measure they
once rejected, and now the Hoar Presi.
dental succession bill is ready for the
Presidents signature. The first divi-
sion Of the session on party lines, took
place over this bill, leading to little
flibustering and several roll calls.
The opinion prevails among public
men Of all political shades that the
present session will be the liveliest for
many years, although it may not be
marked by much legislation beyond its
appropriation bills. 1t is thought there
is no chance of the House and Senate
agreeing to any general tariff bill, and
on all questions of currency and coin
age there is great diversity of opinion
in both parties.
Some of the ablest leaders of the Re-
publican party are in the Senate and as
the Republicans retain control of that
body, they will protect and promote the
interests of the party. Still 1t will be
almost impossible for any measure, of
a distinctiyely party character, to be-
come law during the life Of the Forty.
Ninth Congress. The Democratic ma
jority in the House, and the Republic
an majority in the Senate each stands
as an effective bar to party legislation.
There can be no bargain, no COM
promise, no agreement or arrangement
by which any bill intended merely to
carry out the pledges Of a campaign
platform, and manufacture political
capital can escape defeat. The most
inexperienced new Member knows this
as well as the veteran Member, and the
country knows it so thoroughly that it
will not be disposed to tolerate waste
of time in attempts at the impossible.
For this reason the Democrats, who are
getting ready to agitate certain ques-
tons that promise no practical results,
have been admonished to let them
alone, and take up subjects on which
both parties can agree.
| In q Senatorial Republican caucus.
the relations between the President and
the Senate were discussed, and the &C.
ton to be taken upon his nominations
in cases of suspension, and particularly,
the course to be pursued in regard to
obtaining explanations for removals
and appointments. 1t was practically
decided that if-the President and heads
of Departments do not produce the re-
quired information, the nominations
are to be shclved for the present '.We
can stand it as long as the President
CAM said one OF the Senators, land if
there is q deadlock, we are prepared
for it,
Notwithstanding all that has been
said and written on the subject of Civil
Service appointments, the pressure for
Office is as great now as it has ever
been. Office seekers pay no attention
to what is said to them by their Con-
gressional friends, and refuse to believe
that the hands Of Congress are in any
way tied by the Civil Service law.
Some Of them refuse to take .'no'' for
| an answer, and continue to harass their
indorsers day and night.
| Senators have been discussing Nepot-
ism in connection with the Judicial
Salary bill. One section of the bill
provides that no person related within
the degree of first cousin to Judge of
the United States shall be appointed
by such Judge to any position in his
court, and it also legislates out of Of
/ fee the relations now in. Senator Ed
munds. thought it would work great
hardship and injustice to legislate out
of Office men who by experience and
training, had perhaps come to be the
most capable and efficient persons who
could be found to fill the Offices. If so
much was said OF a Jud &c who had APP
pointed kinsmen TO Office, he thought
Senators should remember that they
had provided for their own sons and
other relatives in the same way. Even
this reform Administration, continued
the Senator from Vermont this re
form Administration, the picture Of
i purity and grace, and everything that
/ lis lovely has sent to the Senate for con
! tirmation the nominations of father
| and son to the same place, to exercise
the functions Of two Offices, the one I'M
81 49, p "