Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-04-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Ill lne HISht VI fiioul'
resolutions were passed by an almost
strictly party vote. The first one
was OH adopting the report of the
judiciary Committee; the other con-
demning the course of the Attorney
General in refusing to give informa-
ton called for by the Senate; the
third declaring that the Senate would
not confirm an appointment where
papers called for should be refused.
Riddleberger, Van Wyck and Mitch
ell, of Oregon, Republicans, voted
against the last, and Riddleberger de-
clined to vote on the others. Although
the night session was late one the
galleries were packed until the Sep
ate adjourned, and excitement on the
floor and in the galleries was intense.
The time of the House was occupi-
ed with miscellaneous matters, none
of which were of general public inter-
est. Many of the members are great
ly incensed at the Committee on Ed
ucation pocketing the Educational
Bill which passed the Senate. About
fifty members have held an indigna-
ton meeting and directed Mr.. Willis,
of Kentucky, to introduce bill send
ing the matter to another committee
than the Educational Committee. The
bill has many ardent supporters in
the House, many of them being from
the South.
The opening prayer in the House
is getting TO be such an interesting
exercise that more members are now
found attending to their divine duties
than has been the case for years back
The blind preacher, Milburn, instead
of following set prayers which had
begun to be looked upon as meaning
less, makes his divine invocations re-
late to national questions affecting
the perpetuation of our Republican
form of Government. They are not
sensational in character, but are point
ed and such awaken the greatest con-
Germ among members. On Thurs
day he prayed that the educated
and intelligent people of this
country might be made Ia
comprehend that there can be nc
arlstocracy or privileged class built
upon the fable of blood, but that our
best society must be the growth OF
sound brains, and learned, not from
the dancing master nor in courts OF
princes, but in the school of self re-
lance. 1t has heretofore been the
custom to omit printing in the Record
the opening prayer, but on motion of
Mr.. Butterworth il was ordered that
the prayer be printed.
1t would be well if something
could be done 10 revive the spirit OF
divine reverence in the Senate as
there seems to be considerable luke
warmness there. On Thursday there
were but three Senators present when
the Senate was opened-two Demo
Gratis and one Republican. This is OF
common occurrence although the
Democrats are not always the most
devout.
Our Government is in possession OF
many papers of valuable historic in
terest not accessible to the public be.
cause the originals are locked up in
the tiled walls of the various depart.
ments, and their existence known to
only a comparatively few. Among
them are the Franklin and the Ro.
chambeau, and other equally inter.
esting manuscript papers. Senator
Hoar thinks that these papers ought
to be put in such form that they can
be placed in the public libraries and
schools of learning throughout the
country, and with that end in view
has had reported favorably from the
the Library Committee bill APP.
pointing Commission composed o.
the Secretary of State, the Librarian
of Congress, and the Secretary of thu
Smithsonian Institution, to examine
these papers and report the bes
method Of publishing the same.
Speculation is already rife as to tn,
Presidents plans for the summer
but it may be said authoritative,
that nothing definite has yet beef
decided on. The cottage at the Sol
dier's Uome, which has always sine
the war been reserved for the use O
the President, is being painted an,
renovated and generally overhauled
This has been accepted by some a
showing the Presidents intention t
occupy it this summer, but to tn
"knowing ones" it means nothin
more than desire on the part of til
Superintendent of the Home to hav
the house in as good looking order a
the homes of the officers statione
there. The probability il that til
President will spend some part c
the summer in the woods of his ow
State, and if he finds that the cor
slant pressure on his nervous pow
ers necessitates a change of scene
and air it is more than probable tha
he will vary the monotony of oflicis
duties by short excursions to the col
tage at the Home.
The Senate Committee having rt
ported adversely on the nominatio
of the colored man Matthews 70
Recorder of Deeds for the Distric
a committee of District Democrat
called OH the President to induce hir
to withdraw the nomination. TIL
President listened attentively, a
usual, and then informed the com
mittee that lie would not wilhdra,
the nomination, as Matthews was
good man and had served his part
well. He seemed TO think that til
District people had been instrument
al in getting the nomination reporte
adversely, and SO told them that h
had done more for them than an
previous President, and that as lon
as they could not agree among then
selves he would do the best he coulC
with all the light he could possibl
obtain, in selecting good men for I'll
offices. The President is evidentl
tired of visiting committees, and
determined that the unreasonable d,
mands of applicants for office sha
not monopolize so much of his tin
and thoughts as to break down h
health as they have that of Secretal