Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1888-01-04
For the Smyrna Times.
Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, Jan. End, 1888.
The Capital, during the present
recess, has been favored
with the presence of many of the Ma
tlonal solons, particularly those from
distant States, who were wont to spend
their holidays around their own fire.
sides. This may be due to a variety of
reasons or only to one; but whether
the Interstate Commerce law, which
lnterdicts the issuance of railroad pass-
es to members of Congress has aught to
90 with this determination, your cor
respondent would feel a delicacy in
saying.
While on the subject, it may be we'll
enough to mention that the question
whether or not the Interstate act ap-
plies to express companies, having been
presented to the Commission, that BODY
being doubtful of its authority in the
matter, has referred the controversy to
Congress for settlement. The prOba-
Dillty is that express companies will be.
by an amendment to the Interstate law
brought under the operation of that
statute. There are many reasons for
such a conclusion.
Speaker Carlisle is at the CapitOl
nearly every day now, engaged in the
task of completing his committee lists
upon which he has bestowed almost a
months labor. This time was none
too long. The problem involves a
great deal of careful consideration. II
is said that Mr.. Carlisle, for political
reasons, affecting the policy of his par.
ty, finds more trouble in appointing
some of the minor committees. like
those on labor, temperance and educa-
ton, than the more important commit.
tees, such as the ways and means
finance aud foreign affairs. For obvi.
GUS reasons there are very few Demo
cratic statesmen who care to take q
positive stand on the prohibition cues
ton and then for partisan reasons a!
well, the members of the same party
wish to be extremely cautious about
their course on the labor problem, as
that is another issue fraught will
| doubt and danger to statesmen whC
must stand or fall by their votes anC
speeches as presented in the Congress
siOnal Record.
Bat one thing is certain-the Repub
hcans mean to take an aggressive atti
tude in Congress upon the af1irmativ,
side of the prohibition question, it bein,
their purpose to pass bill in the Sen
ate, prohibiting the liquor traffic in tn
District of Columbia. The tendencie.
OF the Republicans are strongly toward
prohlbitOry legislation on general Drin
ciples; it is claimed by that party tina
as it struck the first blow for the aboli
ton of slavery in the District of Co
lumbia. that it will also fight its frs
great battle against the saloon on tn
same spot. And from the tone of tn,
organs and orators of the party l an
convinced that the Republicans Wi
ultimately champion the cause of pro
hibltion, and further, that the Demo
Gratis will array themselves against il
The tariff and prohibition will fore
a new alignment of parties-a divisio
that will be vastly beneficial to the pa
triOtic and material interests of tn
country, for we shall then have tn
satisfaction of behOlding the final di,
appearance of the sectional issue tina
has so long bestrode this republic like
horrible nightmare.
A romance in real life, with tn
saddest of sequels has woven itse
through the career Of Hon. E, B. Tay
) Tor, Garfield's successor in Congress
, In the days of their youth the Coz
gresham and his lady love were b,
: trothed, but soon after separated by
lovers quarrel; the arrangement WI
final, and each welded another, ar
thus lived for a generation. But at la
each was single again, and the old loV
ers united their destinies about OIL
month ago and came to the capita
:, Last week an unknown lady was four
J alone and unconscious on a street
;. Washington. She was taken to no
J pital and died before being identife
> What an unhappy fate for a a bride
: but one brief month. This true, sc
: rOwful story reads like a chapter
3 fiction.
The greatest social event of the wi
ter was the Presidents New Year I
: ceptiOn. which as is usual on su,
y State occasions, was attended by br
. liant and distinguished company
i richly and fashionably dressed ladi
n and gentlemen-Ca Cabinet officials,
y preme Justices. Senators, Represent
;. tives, officers of the Army and Nav
" citizens from private life, and me
conspicuous of all the great assemble
y the pOmpous foreign diplomats, ;
e ranged in truly characteristic and p
- turesque costumes, such as they {
accustomed to wear at court receptiO
Z i'll their native countries.