Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1889-12-27
WASH. NGToN LETTER.
WAsnlverov, D, c. Dec. 81, 1881

/ t9NnhNpl ililINo ibO ANRtS -
partment is entirely too poky in the mat
! ter Of II tcognIzing the new government of
Brazil, therefore he has offered a joint
resolution congratulating the people of
Brazil on their recentpeaceful revolution
and authorizing the President, to issue
proclamation recognizing the republic as
a sovereign power,
Speaker Reed is believed to favor hav
ing the House decide the contested
election cases before auy Rules are
adopted. Il would he violation OF all
precedent, but precedent doesn't count
much with some people when it happens
to clash with party advantage. The speak
er has almost absolute power over the
House while il remains as it is now
only governed by ordinary parliamentary
rules. and if the election cases were be-
fore the House the unseating OF nearly
every Democrat whose seat is contested
would be an absolute certainty. But
it is doutful whether the Republican ma
nagers ale prepared to take the respoh-
sibiity of adopting such radical pro-
gramme, They will be apt TO remember
that in all proa bility the next House will
have majority of Democrats, aud this
belief will make them careful
Congress was to have begun its Christ
mas holidays on Thursday, but to accom-
moda'e Speaker Reed, who wishes to an
nounce the rest Of the House committees
before the recess, the resolution was
amended to read from Saturday, the 2lst
inst, to January 6, and in that shape
was passed An unusually large number
of Congressman will eat their Christmas
dinners away from Washington.
Some over-liberal Democrats in the
House came very near doing very cur
ious, not to say silly, thing this week. 1t
was to assume the responsibility for the
money stolen by Silcott. The idea of
raising purse among the Democrats to
make good the losses of the Republican
Representatives seem to be so catching
that a call for Democratic caucus to en-
dorse the idea was issued, but upon refec-
ton it was rescinded, and the matter allow.
cd to remain just as it was-uncertain. The
House. without division, has passed a
resolution authorizing a reward of $4,000
or Silcott.
Deficiency bills are always common
under Republican Administrations and
thev have already begun under the pres
ent.' A bill appropriating $3.50, 900 to
make up a deficiency in the first SIX
months of the cur-ent fiscal year at the
Government printing office and another
appropriating $25O,OO0 to pay for
printing for the census bureau, have be-
come laws this week.
A concurrent resolution has been passed
by the House and Senate rendering to
Chief Justice Fuller the thanks of Con-
gress for the address delivered by him on
the occasion of the celebration of Wash
lngton's Inauguration.
Senator Brown, o. Georgia, is the only
member of the Senate that has not occu-
pied his seat this session, although sew
eral others, including Senator Hampton,
have not been here before this week.
In spite of the determined opposition
of Senators Call, Jones, of Arkansas,
Berry, Colquitt Reagan, Blair and Will
son, of Iowa, the nomination of Justice
Brewer has been confirmed.
Senator Chandler charges that certain
naval officers are banded together for the
purpose of Congressional lobbying. He
has offered in the Senate resolution
calling upon the Secretary of the Navy
for information,
Mr. HARRISON, thinking probably to
give some people an unusually happy
Christmas, has made this week large
number of appolntments-the most of
them being postmasters.
Senator Quay and Representative Dal-
zell, of Pennsylvania, will not be very
close friends for some time. They both
had candidates for the Pittsburgh post
OlLCt, WI NpulSC M quay hA'A XIV ehS
office.
1t is probable that two new States will
be admitted to this Congress. The Sem
ate committee on territories has agreed
to report favorably the bills providing
for the admission of Idaho and Wyom-
ing. The Democrats will endeavor to
have New Mexico included,
Last Wednesday the House passed a
resolution ordering a call of States for the
introduction of bills, and thele was a
perfect shower of them poured out, on
almost every conceivable subject. TWAS
the first general opportunity to introduce
bills, of the present session. At least
ninety per cent. of the bills introduced
will never again be heard from, and there
is no good reason why they should be.
The Senate bill making $72 month
the rate of pension to be paid for total
disability has been favorably reported.
|
Christmas at the Postofiice.
| The Johns.own nostofflce will be omen