Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-04-11
Washington Correspondence.

wAsHrSoroS, April 8, 1854.
1t Is really astonishing thatthe people of Virginia should
DO 50 tolerant Of tho systematic neglect manifested by
their representatives iu Congress- to the wants aud inter.
ests Of tho State. Such indifference Is remarkable and
strikes with amazement members from other sections Of
the Union II to them incompreheusble how any
people can opg put up with such set of public servants
In all other States every representative the contuu
cd confidence Of his constituents his uuremtiug atten
ton to their ntercs-snd the slightest neglect on his
part is visited with summary punishment Blu, different
rule seems to prevail in Virginia. where Congressman
popularity at home apparently measured by his
and inefhcieucy at Washington No familiar with the
general course Of legislation here have failed to notice
the extreme indifference displayed by the Virginia delega
ton not only to tho ordinary business before Congress-
even to the actual wants and necessities Of their
st'uents This is partly the result Of their excessive dis
inclination to but mainly occasioned by their
habua indulgence in hairspitting distractions and their
great fonduess for complicated party ngues To secure
some future political end no industrious,
and they will spend hours at time in discussing
cble question in politics legislation. the settles
ment Of which Is Of possible consequence On this
account they are the formidable dputants
tered IN the Hotel barrooms and in little private
OF members are regarded perfectly invincibe He is
looked upon as truly fortunate man, who meet In
argument Virginia Locofoco abstracionis and manage
to get through with it. without temporarily losing his
senses suffering heauache for three days a
forwards, a consequence Of his temerity
As an evidence that this charge OF general and habua
neglect rests upon solid foundation will mention one
which Of ITSELF is perfectly demousrative Tho Leg
atue Of Virginia, its last session passed four separate
and distinct joint resolutions nstrucng the Senators
requesting the members Of the House. their best
e1ertions procure certain notifications and extensions
OF existing laws in regard to revolutionary and land
ties, the effect OF which would be discharge the ju
claims Of many citizens of the State, whom are i'm
reduced INDECENT circumstances. The remedial action
sought from Congress contemplated the following results
viz:
modification Of the Virginia scrip act, by which the
power heretofore granted-and which had been freely
override and dishonor judicial decisions
of tue State should be taken from arbitrary and
minded federal officer.
change in the law giving land bountes to soldiers
sho served in the of 1872 make provisions
more just aud comprehensive.
An extension OF certain laws place warrant of
hcers who served in the Virginia Navy during the rcvou-
tonary war; OH the same footing in regard pay
officers Of like grade in the land servicc-and to give To
supernumerares in the continental line the same bountes
received by the class Of State line officers
Most Of these changes asked for the Legislature are
demanded by consideration of right Justice and
il they could be effected, would gladden. the hearts oil
thousands OF your czsus, whose claims have been
ong DIS egarded. But strange secm up 10 the
present not movement in tur;herance of this Oh.
ee, has been made ia the House by single manb.r of the
Virginia yatiom, and it only within the three
days that the subject has been properly brought
% the attention Of the Senate.
In that body bill has been introduced by Senator Ma
I
atcly in his charge it may possibly pass; but should il
reach the House, the worthy gentlemen who immed
tey represent the people, will contrve have speedily
md lscualy entombed. They will take care however,
sputer good deal about cheat the soyererus
belief that they very jealous aud very euer-
Sctc. Talking loud and long no labor but il
ather plea sure, and they will doubt urge in debate
he passage of the bill with fluent energy "a il they
really understood its provisions But kind
carried through Congress a few rheorica
iIurishes. 1t requires systematic aud continuous
ion nd auhia
ble members TO enlghtcn the Ignorant the
lies of the doubling, and dspate every objection which
an be urged by opponents But it would be the height
,f folly such sacrifices from any Of the Virginia
delegation. At this tine there is probably OF
,he who has twice read the resolutions of the Lcgisa
sue who has given himself the slightest concern about
They act upon the principle that "what every
Dody's business nobody, and the responsibility OF
allure will tall upon particular individual, but will he
divided among them ALL each prefers bear his light
hare of the blame than undergo the labor neceS
iriy required for faithful discharge Of this clear repre-
sentative duty.
The stringent manner in which the SCRIP Act has been
executed by the Secretary Of Interior has occnsoned
much dissatisfaction in the Districts represented by Gene
rails Bayly and Mson where hundreds reside, are
holders of Virginia military warrants. Unless Congress
TO their relief they will DO deprived of their Just
rights with of redress. There is however no
nope of their obtaining this relief until they
send Congress who will really represent their
and pay attention to their At pres
cn IL would be reasonable to expect Forney d, oil
honest act as to count upon the exerons of Bayy and
Nilsson Ihey are too much occupied with their WIN
schemes give themselves any about the wishes
OF their constituents. IL the only sufferers their Ia
illness and neglect their own Locofoco supporters
Wings would have just gre und Of complaint but un-
fortunately there many pour and worthy of our
party who similarly situated. Their fate is in
deed hard one. but they must bear it with patience aud
hope for better days.
Washington is unusually dull this time The politi-
cal and fashionable worlds both remarkably uuet-
The ceremonies of Lent afford the relgiousy disposed
some little excitement but out of the church there
reign universal sagna,ion. Speaking Of the church
reminds of act OF clerical fankeyism which has
just occurred here and which has given rise much talk
and more laughter. TIE Rev. John C. Smith of the
PRESBYTERIAN persuasion, announced from the pulpit that
Mr. Aiken would preach in his church future OCCASION
aud, by way of inducing full attendance Of the congre
CATION graciouy pleased inform them that his bro
ther clergyman was a n,phe1 Of the Presdsnfs. II
must be understood that the Rev Mr.. Smith the spirit
ua adviser of the Bgadier and every Sunday regu
arly impars instruction TO that sanctiGed dividua-
Frank Pierce the President, is much better man than
vas Frank Pierce, the Senator and military chieftan lie
goes punctuaiy meeting, rarely out after dark
nbbes very Seldom and is caught the card Ia
BILE. IKE