The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-01-06
AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
History Made by Congress and a
Sadly Rich Death Roll.

WAsHISsrox. Dec. Sl-As the old year
goes on; to night people have been recalling
the many events Il national importance
which have been crowded into il. II was
usbered in with excitement on the morning
Of January 1, year ago. While Secretary
Blaine was entertaining the Diplomatic
Corps al breakfast word came that the great
Blaine residence on Connecticut avenue,
then occupied by The Letters, of Chicago,
was in flames. Coolly remarking that he
hoped no lives would be lost. the Secretary
offered his arm to Nine Romero. wife Of
the Mexican minister, and led the way TO
the dining room. There was not word
from him as to the great money loss in house
and valuable contents which he had suf-
fered.
Early in January began the exciting de-
bates in the Senate over the Federal Eiec-
tions bill. Following close came the light
for the Closure rule and the Free Silver bill,
and they soon became interwoven- The
compromise of the eight silver Republican
Senators with the Democratic Senators result
ed in the passage of Free Silver bin in the
Senate the abandonment Of the elections
struggle after an almost unprecedented dead
lock in the Senate. and the failure Of the
I Closure rule.
In the House, the last year witnessed the
passage oftEo bills, one Of which, for the
payment of French spoliation claims, has
beea before this country for more than half &
century. while the other, the Direct Tax Re
fund. has come up every year for two de
esdcs. On the sth Of March the Congress
which bad been made memorials by Speak
er Reed and his rules, came TO an end, and
tbe, political complexion OF the House Of
Representative vas overwhelmingly chang
ed. and q new element. the Farmers Ali
snce. made its first appearance in national
politics. only to End its influence immedi-
ately checked by year of unexsmPied ag-
ricultural prosperity.
Men Of national prominence have risen
and fallen. Flower has gone from Congress
70 Albany as Governor, and is even talked
Of for the Presidency Mckinley has be
come Governor, and he, too is Presiden
sial possibility. Gov. Campbell has been
eclipsed. Gov. Boies has appeared upon the
Presidential horizon. M Hill has msnsg.
ed to combine the two titles of Governor
and Senator, and promises 10 continue biz
reign at Albany as the power behind th'
throne Of Mr. Flower.
Nr. Blaine. in sickness and in health hai
negotiation, has reached the stage Of srbitra
had the eyes Of the country oentered on him
The Behring Sea controversy. after years o
ton. The Italian incident. With the with
drawal or recall of Baron FaYa. hss beer
followed BY the more serious internationa
complication with Chill, and as the yea
goes out there are rumOrs Of the pOssibii
ties Of war.
Mr.. Blsine's reciprocity idea has beer
spread over the Central and South American
countries. The American hog has been re
admitted into the markets of Germany and
France, Italy snd Austria-H Hungary, while
Great Britain has removed her restrictions
on our cattle trade President Harrison ha'
made himself more familiar figure to The
American people by his trans-continental
tour.
Death has garnered sadly rich harvest
Bancroft. historian. and statesman, is gone
Secretary Window me; death at the height
Of bis career Admiral Porter and General
Sherman followed soon after. General Joe
Johnston, the last Of the confederacy," died
last march. Then followed in quick sue
cession Representative spinol& of New York
Rear Admiral Taylor, Congressman Ford,
ex-senator Joseph Mcdonald, Hannibal
Hamlin, Ex-senator Pomeroy. ex-Congress-
man William l. Scott, Rev. d. S. Burchsrd
of Rum, Romsnism and Rebellion" fame,
Don Piatt, Governor Hovey, Senator Plumb
and ex Postmaster General Cresswell.
Altogether it has been year filled witn
events divide national and international con-
SEQUENCE.