The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1886-12-16
AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Congress Settled Down to Business
Cox and Hewitt.

w ASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-COngreSS, /
in less than week from its reopen |
ing, has settled down to the serious
consideration of business. The reas-
sembling of both the Senate and |
House were accompanied by scenes
customary on such occasions. There
were the usual crowds of spectators in
the galleries who looked down upon
the same tumultuous disorderly crowd
on the floor of the House, all talking
at once and at the top of their voices
and upon the quiet, slow moving men
on the foer of the Senate Chamber,
who began the new session with as lit
tie furry as on any day of the old
one.
There were the usual hand-shakings
and exchange of greetings and flower
be-decked desks, the Democratic side
being the most favored forally, which
caused some Republicans to remark
that the change of flowers showed the
change of the administration. To the
victors belong the flowers. Represen-
tatives S. S Cox and Abram Hewitt
were the lions of the opening day.
When they entered the hall arm in
arm, they were greeted by round of
applause. Mr.. Hewitt received con-
gratulations upon his election to the
Mayoralty, ,and expressions ofregret up
on his retirement from Congress. Those
who had served in former Congresses
with Mr.. Cox gathered round him cor
idally, and those who did not know
him sought introductions. Represen-
tative Sayers, of Texas, who occupied
last session, the seat so long used by
Mr.. Cox, gracefully surrendered it to
its former occupant and took the one
vacated by Mr.. Pulitzer.
Mr.. Cox has already added to his
record by introducing bill to prevent
representives from receiving two sala-
ries at the same time. He thus man.
ifests his intention to decline the Con.
gressional salary which has accrued
since Mr.. Pulitzer's resignation. Re-
publican papers gleefully distorted a
recent statement to make it appear
that Mr.. Cox had applied for and was
trying to get two salaries, one as min
lister to Constantinople, and one as
Congressman. AS a matter of fact, he
inquired of the Comptroller of the
Treasury as to the exact money due
him under the law so that he could act
intelligently concerning it. Comptrol-
Ter Durham told him he was entitled
to back pay since Mr.. Pulitzer resign
ed, and this bill just introduced shows
what Mr.. Cox intended at the time to
do about it.
While the Presidents message takes
one ali over Europe, to tho Samoan
Island, Siberia, the Spanish Antilles,
to Mexico, over South America, and
into Canada and Alaska, the five top
les which excite the strongest interest
here are the Tariff, the currency, the
labor question, civil service, and Dis
trict of Columbia affairs. The tariff
reformers are all pleased and some Of
them are enthusiastic. The protec-
tionists say the message is conservative
enough for them, the ultra silver men
make complaints as vas expected, and
the Republicans criticize the document
rs whole, and from force of habit.
Some of the more sluggish members
of Congress predict that little can be
| done during the. session beyond the
passage OF the appropriation bills.
Others equally wise say there is more
chance for work during short than a
long session, and they expect to be
very active from now until the fourth
of March. In fact, there is little temp
tation to demagoguism, and talking
for votes now and there is no reason
why this Congress should not do more
in January and February than in all
the previous months of its life. The
members are all either elected or de-
feated for the Fiftieth Congress, and
mere partisan maneuvers will not eff,
feet them Then by the Committee
work having been done last session bill
are ready for action, and legislation is
in excellent position to be pushed to
completion.
Two years ago Republican prophets
were positive the country would go to
ruin in consequence of a restoration
of the Democrats to power. Now they
are compelled to see steady and gen
eral return of industrial and CONNER.
clal prosperity. 1he IactS anu HSur-
es of all the Government reports show
this result and indicates largely in
creased volume of business throughout
the country. There is nothing so con
vincing as truth, but the enemies OF
the Administration say Z" 1t is Cleve
lands luck" TARHEEL.
We learn upon good authority