Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-08-07
WASHINGTON, d. c., /
July %. 1868. {

Mr.. Eai,or,-In common with the
whole country this city is passing through
torn Of very warm weather. 1t draws
heavily on the physical endurance Of both
man and beast. There have been many
cases Of sudden death from the combined
effect Of the heat and stimulating drinks
have not known case Of sun-stroke
disconnected from the combination. There
might be such, but the cases Of recent oc-
currence prove that drunkards are in great
or danger than sober men. lido not make
this statement as warning 10 any body, for
OF warnings there are enough already to re-
lieye every one from the evils Of this living
death; but they are of no avail. and would
not be If the dead added their experience.
We have had but little rain during the
month. Yesterday n good shower visited
the city and washed the burning streets
but little
The country is looking with interest at
the action Of Congress. OF all the i'm
por0ut legislation that has been propos-
ed, The great part has been delayed, or
Ipurpmely postponed to the last Of the
session. Now Congress is busily at work.
Many.of the members are "champ ping the
bit" 10 their anxiety to get away and to
engage In the political strife that promis-
es to be active; yet they stay to complete
theis work here, that they may give bet
ter account Of themselves.
The appropris ton bills have all been
passed, aud 10 these ii- indicated the de-
termination Of Congress t. curtail the ex-
penses Of the Government ana thus sc-
cede to the demands Of the people. i zee
that your neighbor In his last paper charges
Congress with having appropriated money
to pay the clerks In Washington an extra
compensation for their services. This is
a mistake, but doubtless an uninte ntio nal
one, as the proposition has been before
Congress in various shapes, and once pass
ed the House, but was reconsidered and
killed. 1t might not be smiss to say that
the Democratic members Of the House
are, almost Id solid body, in favor Of
the measure. 1t is defeated by Rspub-
licans.
II would have been to the credit Of
Congress, and quite consistent with pro-
fessions Of retrenchment, IL they had act
ed on their own ertra pay as they very
properly did on the extra pay OF other
employees. While the people are SO sore.
ly taxed to sustain the Government, they
should give attention to the action Of their
representatives in appropriating money.
While they should not demand niggard-
ly policy, they should enquire what JUS
tifcation they have in Increasing their
own compensation. as they have done,
making their own pay in gold better than
il was before the war. There may be a
reason for it, but heavily taxed people
will hardly see it.
!. As far as any policy has been developed
by Congress on the question Of the pay
ment Of bonds, II is that neither party is
committed to pay either in gold or green
backs. That is question that can have
no praotical importance now, as no per-
son - opposes to pa eheuSat all, except il
be " bonds just authorized by the new
funding bill, aud these will not be paid
until after forty years. This question is
therefore practically at rest, unless 1t be
stirred up by demagogues for selfish pur-
poses. The taxing Of the bonds is a diff
ferent question; but there is no advocate In
Congress, of either party, TO advise Oy
step that will be direct violation Of law,
breach of faith, and reputation Of ma
tional obligation.
Under the jealous labor Of Mr.. Julian,
Chairman Of the Committee on Public
Lands, there will be new policy inaugu-
rated with reference to the public lands;
aud this will be q matter, il be succeeds
in his purpose, worth millions Of money
to the country. He proposes to stop the
wholesale donation OF our public domain
to rich monopolies, and even refuse il to
spectators, that IL may be given on easy
terms 10 actual settlers. Should his pol.
10y prevail, the working millions of the
laud will have cause 10 rejoice. Though
he is severely sot upon by those who are
in danger of being hurt, he "bolds on his
way" with that determination which char
aeterizes him when advocating any meas
ure he considers for the good of the coun-