The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-01-05
Washington Letter.

Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. G., Dec 80, 1887.
II r"gh many congressman have
homes to spend the holi-
nbar is not so large as
usaa' r. of the restriction in
I2i-.-.~.E s.. imposed by the
pEovisio.a q, -c= Ef-e- siateCommerce
law. TIE day ol passes is past for our
national solons, and its effect is very
perceptible to those VINO watch the
movements of Congressman. One OF
those who remain, but not from mo
tives OF pecuniary economy, is Speaker
Carlisle, who wishes to improve all of
his leisure time in selecting the House
Committees; one not familiar with
this duty of the presiding officer can
have no conception of the great labor
which it involves. 1t is q whole
months hard work, which must be
performed in much less time. The
Speaker is making satisfactory pro
gress and promises to be able to an
nounce his committees by the date
Congress reconvenes, Though the
names of the Ways and Means Com
mittee have not been made public, still
your correspondent violates no conf
dence in naming the most prominent
members, as follows! Democrats
Roger Q Mills, of Texas Benton Nc
MILAN, of Tennessee w. c. P. Breck-
enridge, of Kentucky; S s. Cox, of
New York, and w D. Bynum, of In
diana. Republicans-W. d. Kelley,
of Pennsylvania; Thos. B. Reed, of
Maine; VIM. Mckinley, of Ohio. 1t
is now virtually settled that Mr.. Mills
Is to be chairman of this, the most
important of all the committees. One
thipg can say of the gentleman from
Texas, and that is the alleged pictures
Of him now appearing in the press do
not at all look like him this counter
felt presentment must have been taken
twenty years ago, if ever, as it repre-
sents the Southern statesman as a
youngish looking man, though his age
is past fifty five.
AS an evidence of the progress of
tariff reform sentiment even among
our friends the enemy, the course of
Mr.. Nelson. the Republican (Scandi-
uavisn) member from Minnesota, is
very suggestive. He has been in Con
gress three terms, he is invincible be.
fore the people, and his district is over.
whelmingly Republican, yet the gen.
tleman proposes to voluntarily retire
at the close of his present term BECAUSE
he is disgusted with the policy of his
party on the tariff issue This is Ger
tainly of 10 little esigniticance-ap polit
ical study that tends to show the
strength of the position assumed by
President Cleveland in his great mes
sage, especially In the West.
Again this year, as last year, fsstiv
ities and funeral rites are strapgely
mingled in the Capital of the nation
last Christmas the flag was lowered
and Grape displayed in honor of Logan
this Christmas the people OF heUnilec
States sorl owfully commemorated the
virtues and public services of tha
worthy exemplar of his countrymen
Daniel Manning, who by his owl
courageous etiarts. arose from humble
beginnings to stand among the honor
ed and powerful of ths earth, and ther
closed his brilliant aud successful ca
reer with the martyrs crown of duty
to brighten his memory for many
years, with the nations plaudit, vel
done, which will place him in GU
temple of fame side by siae with Rober
Morris, Alexander Hamilton and Rob
ert J. Walker. Congress is also mourn
ing the death Of one OF its members
Mr.. Moffat, of Michigan, and the Gus
tomary committee waE appointed +
accompany his remains home aDG
provide for the funeral.
There will probably another Import
ant vacancy to fill in the interior De
partment very soon, as General Ar
thur, Commissioner Of Indian Affairs
has often expressed to Intimate friend
his desire to resign and thus reliev,
himself of the anxieties and response
bilities incumbent upon him. 1t i
said that rather than rely too mu ch OIL
subordinates for the execution of in
structions, he devotss himself to,
much to looking aft,r the details @
his bureau.
One of the interesting local event
of the holidays was the celebration o
the seth birthday of Mr.. WV. Corco
ran, the noble philanthropist, who i
esteemed as the first and foremost O
Washingtonians. While he is bowet
with physical infirmlties, his mind i
as bright aud his interest in cure n
affairs is as lively as thirty years ago
This benefactor of his race is possesse,
of the rare gift of growing old grace
fully.
Another event was the presence o
Mrs. Cleveland at dinner given t,
900 poor children of the capital. TIL
first lady of the land seems in he
natural element when doing deeds O