The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1874-02-14

.'Ho- H.-s.'iss :. S::.sr'.. 1''. and
The veteran editor 81 fhe Kokomo
Tribuls. /" having madaa visit recently
70 Washington City, sises the followsl
ing interesting editorial in his paper
OF the 10th, detailing his observations,
of the servants of the people, whilst
there. We commenced the article to
the careful perusal of our readers, and
then let each one ask himself
the pertinent question as pat by the
editor of the Tribune: "Shall We hold
up their hands and encourage them,
or will We discourage and weaken by
abuse based upon local preferences
for this man or that 2"
Having recently spent several days
in Washington City,, we propose to
correct some erroneous impressions in
regard to the manner in which Mem
bers Of Congress employ their time.
Persons who have had no opportuni-
ty to observe, who have not been
there to see, suppose that they live
idle, luxurious lives, and it has be-
come SO common a thing to say harsh
things Of them, that many good people
imagine they are as class worthless
and dishonest. If the people could
be with them in Washington, go with
them in the round of their duties, see
how they work and how they are CON-
PEELED to, live, they would have but
little patience with those who do Moth
ing but detract them
"As the two bodies meet at IL
o'clock each day, it will probably be
supposed that up to that time Senators
and Members have nothing to do; but
this is mistake. About 8 o'clock is
the usual time for breakfast; at 8
clock the departments are open for
business, and from that hour until
near twelve, the time to be at the
House, excepting on committee days,
Senators and Members will be found
going from one department to another,
looking after bounty claims, pension
claims, postofice matters, and scores
of other things to which constituents
have called their attention. sex
From II o'clock until near 5 in the
i evening they are engaged in the Sem
ate chamber and House, take dinner
between five and six. in the evening,
and from that till midnight work at
their correspondence and investigate
such matters as may be under their
charge. The committees meet at from
ten to eleven o'clock in the morning.
Ways and Means and Appropriations
generally every day, other important
committees usually twice each week.
Sometimes night sessions are held. ).
Monday of each week is set apart
for the introduction and reference of
bills. Each State is called in its order
and when State is called any member
from that State may introduce any
number of bills he may have; when
they are introduced they are referred
to the appropriate committee. When
the committee meets the bills that
have been referred to it are distribu-
ted among the members, as sub COM
rnittees-biils Of great importance be.
ing usually referred to SUBJ commit
tee Of three. The subcommittee cx-
hmiuCo ~ 0uu lctsOI 10 ~ TIC JUL COul-
mittee, and there the bill and recom-
mendations of the sub, committee are
discussed, amendments made if neces-
sary, or a substitute prepared and
when bill is fully matured some one
of the committee is appointed to re-
port it to tho House, and this is done
with as great care as frst-class law
yer prepares q brief in an important
case. In that way the bills that are
introduced are brought back before
the House for discussion. In these
committee meetings, arguments are
often heard from persons representing
conflicting interests likely to be affect
ed BY, the proposed legislation. In
the Ways and Means on matters af-
fecting the revenues, in appropriations
touching public improvements and
the like, in Banking and Currency, in
regard to all the various plans of con
traction, expansion, for returning t.
specie payment, in the judiciary, which
is the law committee Of the House
| questions affecting legal rights in Pat
ents, questions Of extension, granting
patents, remodeling the patent laws
etc. lpra y sr! -
4 IF our readers will stop for a mo
ment and think, they will not fail t,
perceive that many questions mus
arise involving much research, zequir
ing experience and learning; and /
they will reflect as to the extent of tn,
1 country, its population and its divers
| fled industries, they cannot but se
what vast interests are to be consid
cred by these public servants" II
\ Take for example the transports
! ton question or the Louisiana mud
die" as it is called, or the Bankrup
law, or the distribution of the Genev
Il Award, or the currency question, O
I the endless complications of the tariff
or the details Of appropriations It
q meet the necessities of every depart
ment Of the Government-think as a
example Of the task of the appropria
tions to meet the needs of the posts
affairs Of the country (Which is i
, charge of our own member) with it
, routes by water, by rail, by coacl
sulky and mule, penetrating into ever
{ nook and corner of the country, an
Of the experience and investigation es
, | sential to comprehend il all. The me
! who masters such subjects as thes,
are no idlers. When their constitu
eats are asleep they are hard at worl
9 When street corner loafers are abu,
ing them they are trudging from dt
paftfhent to department. looking d
: and pressing forward private bushes
) Of their constituents. Any man can &
! to Congress if the people will sen
: him, but to properly discharge the d,
ties 10 quite another affair. Any ma
: could sit in the chair occupied
3 Senator Morton, Senator Pratt, Rel
. resentative Wilson, Tyner or Ortl
: but there are few who can grasp Il
|. great questions with which they ha,
to deal. ,lta o.si.;. .4e.