Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-01-28
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


dTuS uduSuCcE. I16 HAS SiSu6u tuc
Presidential Succession Bill, which
may properly be termed the Hoar Bill,
though some severe critics assert that
its being was the concept ion Of anoth-
er's brain. He seems to have no fears,
regarding the circulating reports, that
the Senate will antagonize some of his
selections and demand of him his rea-
sons for their appointment, for he takes
the broad view that what is done is
done for the best.
Society has seldom received such
terrible shock as she did last week, up
on the announcement Of Miss Bayard's
death. The news came so suddenly,
that many who had seen her the night
previous In the best Of health al her re.
ception, could hardly realize the truth
of the report, but upon its confirmation,
their doors were Immediately closed,
and the wives of the Cabinet officers,
who had issued cards for their recep-
tions the present week, had them recall
ed. She was an especial favorite in
w Washington Society, and since her
m others illness, had lifted from her
shoulders the responsibilities incum-
bent upon a Cabinet officers wife.
Honored by all, particularly liked by
the members of the Diplomatic Corps
and endeared to her numerous friends
and acquaintance, on account OF her
many womanly attributes and lovable
traits of character, she has left vacant
position which few can fill.
The extreme cold wave which swept
over the entire country and embraced
even the sunny climes of Florida,
gave to Washington carnival of
sleighing, which was unprecedented
for its duration. One good week OF
sleighing Is novelty at the capital,
and those who were blessed with run
ners availed themselves of the pleasure
i'm store for them. Pennsylvania aye
nue. was alive with sleighs from
morn till night, and it was q common
sight to see the Presidents span, draw
ing an elegant sleigh, in which were
snugly bundled Miss Cleyeland and her
guests at the White House. Secretary
Whitney who had been told that Wash
ington seldom was visited by snow
storm of respectable size, was astonish-
ed at the fallacy, and immediately tele-
graphed to Brewster of New York for
his elegent cutter. He and his wife
were among the notables who glided up
and down the avenue. A carnival, In
which were congregated The plebeians
and patricians was held, the middle of
the week and the streets were packed
with spectators, who looked enyiously
upon the favored few.
have noticed here the arrival of var
ious assoc iations whose interests repre-
sent those of the west and southwest,
i'm relation to the Improvement of the
western waite of the Mis-
sissippi Valley. Water transportation
is the sole check to railroad comblna-
tions, and it would be well for Congress
to give this matter important consider
alton. These associations are repre-
sented by men of broad views and earn
est convictions, and will force Congress
to recognize the great benefit the public
will derive from an improvement of the
father of rivers and its prindipal affiu-
ents.
The legal circles of the city are now
i'm state of excitement, and considera-
BILE feeling has been manifested at the
attitude of the Senate towards Judge
Merrick's confirmation. Though his
nomination to the District bench has
been presented to the Senate and bears
earlier date than that o. either Commits
sioner Webb or Marshall Wilson, yet
these two gentlemen haye been confirm
ed IN their positions by the Senate. and
Judge Merrick has not. The opposi-
tion arises amongst those members Of
WIG DioIilCt D1L wiz "CAC 1hu SiC eViA
aspirants to the Office, which he was
selected to fill. Tt is said Senator Ed
munds is the leader of the opposition in
the Senate, upon the legal ground that
a pre-existing unwritten law is still in
force against the conf nation of ap-
pointees over sixty years Of age. 1t
bears no weight however as Judge
James, who was appointed by ex-Presi-
dent Hayes, a member of the same
court, was over sixty and the Senate
confirmed the nomination. Thefriends
of Judge Merrick called for a meeting
of the Bar Association, Wednesday,
and by appropriate resolutions, the Bar
Association endorsed his nomination.
Both houses of Congress seem to
have recovered from that lethargy usu-
ally following the Holiday vacation,
and the members have awoke from
their profound sleep, and are actively
awake to the interests or their coastit-
uents and the great questions of ma: ion-
al import. In the Senate the Silver
Bill has monopolized this week and has
been argued pro and con. Senator Tel
ler occupied the floor last Monday and
spoke in favor of the coinage of silver.
He was the first republican Senator in
thic Cnnprocs vrha has addressed the