The Lamar register., 1890-11-22
Washington Letter.

ing up the lobbies, and the evidences OF
a general house cleaning remain appar-
ent, but these are fast giving away TO
the more familiar arrangement OF things.
The carpet is down again, and yesterday
the member's desks which have been
slowed away in the speakers lobby un
der dust proof covering. were being re-
placed in the hall OF the house. By
next Saturday they will all be in posi-
ton, and Congress could reassemble
next week if necessary.
A few members are here, and within
few days the city will begin to fill up
with senators and members. Senators
Blackburn, Spooner, Cockrell, McPher-
son, Barbour, Dolph, Hawley and Cor
man are here, and Representative Lodge
Of Massachusetts will arrive next week.
George w. Shonk OF Wilkesbarre Pa,
was one Of the first-perhaps the first
OF the members -olect OF the Fifty second
Congress to reach Washington last oven
ing. His district now represented by
Mr.. Osborne, gave Pattison $500 major
ity, but Mr.. Shonk was elected on ac-
count OF his personal popularity, and the
splendid organization Of the Republican
party in the district. In conversation he
stated that he had come to Washington
on private business. He regarded Patti
son as an accidental Governor, and one
who will be showed under &C, 600 majority
in 1892. As for the Presidential cam
paign, Blaine was the idol OF tho people.
Senator Spooner does not appear to be
very unhappy on account Of his failure
to get legislature in Wisconsin, which
could return him to the place in the Sen
ate which he has filled SO ably. In an
swer to inquiries in regard to the cause of
his defeat he stated that it was impossi-
BILE for the Republicans to succeed in
Wisconsin at the election Just passed.
The attitude in which they were placed
on the school question rendered success
for them impossible. The utterances of
some OF the leading Republican papers on
| the school question offended tine Luther
ans, Germans and foreign population
generally. On being asked il he thought
the Democrats might with Republican
| assistance amend the Mckinley bill in
the direction Of reductions by dealing
with one feature at a time, he stated that
they might do this. The bill is subject
to amendment, and they may amend it at
the next Congress by bringing forward
propositions that will secure Republican
votes in the Senate.
The Democrats had better go a little
slow and not enjoy too much the foreign
| abuse OF Major Mckinley, or foreign re-
| joicing over the recent Democratic victo-
ry That manner of demonstration is not
iikely to injure Major McKinley's politi-
tend to hasten repeal of or even a
change in, the measure of which he was
the author. Foreign allies, il the long run
are not apt to prove helpful to political
parties in this country, and united for
eign abuse of public man in this coun-
| try will hardly have the effect of driving
this object Of abuse from public life.
The Democratic party is making a
groat mistake in asserting that the Pres
idsntial contest OF 90 is already won. In
the past, political parties have shouted
over landslide victories, and by their un-
wise action, and their failure to rightly
account for the causes which gave them
success, have seen their landslide victo-
ries turned to overwhelming defeat.
Whatevor may be affirmed or denied
successfully OF the constitutional power
OF Congress over the Congressional cleo
tions, it must be admitted that its right to
enact an apportionment law as soon as
the results OF the census are announced
| is obvious, ample and imperative. There
fore almost the first duty OF Congress on
its reassembling will be the enactment Of
legislation needed to make new districts
in all the States OF the Union. That this
| legislation will be enacted ut the ap-
preaching session is not doubted. Par
| tisan considerations may affect the frnm-
ing o: the apportionment measure and
the action thereon of the party in oppo-
sitioa. 1t would bo altogether wonder
full il they did not. But the duty of Cor
gress is clear, and will not be evaded, and
the apportionment will be made and fair
| ly mads.
Tho prominent Presidential and Vice
Presidential candidates among the Re-
| publicans are now those who can hold up
their right hands and truthfully affirm
that they had nothing to do with the late
! cyclone. Nominating lighting has gath
cred over the heads of several statesmen,
and it is now noticed that formidable
electric accumulation hovers over Uncle
Jerry Ruslz, who comes from the farming
population which has now risen in it's
might. and who is descrvediy popular
with the farmers. Blaine aud Rusk-
Reciprocity and the Farmers-consti-
tutes the latest suggestion Of Repub'i-
| can ticket and platform.
The Mckinley bill is just as operative
now as it was before last Tuesday week.
General A. W. Greely, chief signal Of
ficer, has made an admirable report OF
tho past years work Of tho Signal Corps.
1 YouY correspopdent herewith makes scme