Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1893-12-21
WASHINGTON Letter
FROM OUR REa uLAn CoRpEsroNDES

From OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON. D. C December 18th, 1893
The divinity that doth hedge about Il
king is nothing to the exclusiveness
which is surrounding the Democratic
Senate. The ancient and honorable
Thomas jeff 'rson, the father of Democ-
racy and its patron saint, must turn oy
er in bis grave, If he has any Idea how
far his political descendants have de-
parted from his principles Of the rights
of the common people. Many instances
to illustrate this fact could be cited
They have been gradually increa sing
during the last few years, but one or
two of the latest exhibitions of Sena
orial prerogative are deserving Of no.
lice. In the western end OF the Capitol
is the Senate elevator which has hither
to been used, as - matter Of course, by
persons whose business called them to
the upper stories Of the building. Ali
OF sudden, however, the Senators
haye come to the conclusion that they
will not ride any longer In the same
elevator with the common herd.
Guards are now stationed at the CORR.
doris leading to the elevator, with in
structlons to allow no one to pass
except Senators and members of Sen4
lo-lal families and newspaper core
spondents. For the first time IN the
history of the country the free passage
Of the public through the Capitol is
impeded by guards stationed for that
purpose.
But there is another DEVELOPMENT of
cxclusiyeness on the part Of the Senate
which is more serious. The Senate
meets at IL clock. Usually the Sen.
ate chamber is deserted by the Solons
until within minute or two before
Vice Presidents gavel falls. Washing
ton is the Mecca of excursionists, and
every American citizen who visits the
national capitol for tue first time is
anxious at once to visit the hall oil the
House and the Senate chant Der and
thread the sacred boards where our
American Statesmen have represented
or misrepresented the American people.
While the two houses of Congress are
in session all the world knows that none
except those who have been canonized
by the elective votes of constituency
are entitled to enter these precincts,
but the privilege of passing freely
through the Capitol building between
the morning hours of 8 and 1l30 has
always heretofore been accorded the
public. and be tiptoes through the
chamber and speaks under his breath.
Since the opening Of this session, how
ever. the doors Of the Senate chamber
are kept closed until the Senate opens,
and consequently no person who is not
entitled to the floor of the Senate
during its sessions ls admitted to the
chamber at any time.
The Attorney General has been sub.
jected 10 a good deal Of iuconsiderate
criticism because of bis apparent
indisposition to enforce the so-called
antitrust law Of 1890. A perusa of
MIR. Olney annual report, which has
just been published, throws light upon
thus question III which the assaults
upon the Attorney General are seen to
have little foundation. In fact, there is
such general misunderstanding as to
the bearings Of the statute In question
that it becomes a matter of some doubt
whether its exact purpose or purport
was known even to the trainers. In
the Erst place, the law has no reference
TO contracts or dealings originating
and carried on within State lines. In
the second place, it has been held that
railroad companies do cot come within
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