Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-04-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, d. c., April II, 1886.

To THE South KENTUcKIAN:
A good portion of the time of the
Senate this week has been taken ~
with Executive Sessions. This il
caused by the large number of NOM
nations sent in, and no action made
thereupon during the pendency Of
the question as to the right OF the
Senate to call for papers.
These executive sessions are great
protection to the Senators from an
noyance by "callers." AS rule,
when Member or Senator is to be
seen, either 10 enlist his services in
the worthy cause Of obtaining all
office or to importune him about
some bill referred to him by his Com
mittee for report, the call is made on
him at the Capitol after the body is
convened at noon each day except
Saturday which is holiday. The
number of such callers is so great
there is always crowd around each
door to the chamber and four or five
men are kept busy at each door TAX
ing cards into the Members.
Senators are more Independent Of
their constituents than are Members
of the House, and so the Senate has
adopted a rule which is strictly ell
forced that no card shall he taken to
Senator between the hours Of II
and 2. The result Is that the Sena-
tors have two hours in which to in
troduce bills or make reports or dis
cuss subjects without interruption
and without fear of giving otlense to
anyone by declining TO leave thecham-
Der in answer to call. But they
have more complete protection during
executive sessions which are always
held after 2 O'Clock. Not only can no
cards be taken in at such times but
the galleries and corridors are clear
ed of all persons, and two policemen
placed at each palatial marble stair
case to prevent any person getting OH
the gallery floor where the Senator's
voices can be heard very distinctly
during any animated debate. On
the first floor two door-keepers are
placed at each door and additional
watchmen placed at the windows be-
tween the doorways so that no news
paper man or other eavesdropper can
steal any of the secrets. All these
safeguards are taken tn prevent the
people of this republic from learning
of the reasons advanced by the Sena-
tors for the rejection of some X-roads
postmaster, while the Senators insist
on the Executive giving his reasons
for removal and appointment of these
postmasters. Consistency, thou art
ajewel!
Public opinion is demanding that
these star chamber meetings shall be
abolished. Many Senator's have al
ready needed the warning and this
week some potent speeches have been
made in the Senate in advocacy of
the resolution to have open sessions
and no secret sessions.
A movement is also on foot to have
open OH Sundays all the government
buildings that are maintained for the
pleasure and instruction of the peo-
pie at large-such as the Botanical
Gardens, National Museum, Smith
sonian Institute and others. 1t is
rumored about the Capitol that when
the appropriation bill is reached an
amendment will be tackled onto it
providing that the Congressional Lii
brary shall be kept open on Sunday
- for the benefit of those who cannot
find an opportunity during the week
to avail themselves of the rich store
OF knowledge to he obtained there.
II is quite certain that " h II the new
library building is finished and occu-
pied it will be open at night as well
as on Sundays.
People here are in grave doubt
whether there is any truth in the ru
NOR that the President is to be mar
ried in June. Diligent inquiry OF
officials at the White House failed TO
throw any light on the subject. If
they know anything they are "mum'
OH the subject. 1t will be remember.
ed that a similar rumor was circula.
ted about President Arthur, during
the last year of his term, that he
would marry Miss Frelinghuysen
and nothing came fit.
The story that Secretary Lamar Is
matrimonially inclined is more gen.
orally accepted as having some foun.
dalton. The Secretary is very do,
mestic In his habits and possesses
very atiectionate nature, and the for,
tunate woman who gets him will gel
good husband. The Secretary has
had fiat at the Portland ever since
he has been in the Cabinet, but il he
marries II is thought that he will lease
some one of the many handsome resi-
dences to be had here, and with hi.
wife dispense true Southern hospital
ity from his home next winter. liz
has an unmarried daughter who pre-,
sides over his home now, and who il
great favorite with all who know
her. lie has also a son married ant
livinr hara an TIL hss "a .,,.I,. II