The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1876-04-28
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Wise Men OF Congress
Confederate GGaGeSm2H-

IL 10 eafe 70 preQlcI Lnat the men
controlling the legislation OF the
National House of representatives
this session will net stand out pre-
eminentIy in history for their pro-
found wisdom. Among the brilliant
achievements OF the present week
was the passage Of q resolution d.
recting the committee on district af-
fairs to make due and diligent in
quiry why the water of the Poto-
mac river IL muddy. It is regarded
as very important that conundrum
be solved. Some shallow-pated peo-
pie here intimate that 1t is because
the earth underlying and forming
its lateral BOUNDARIES become mixed
with the water. The name Of the
Congressional Diogenes who has
thus written his name high above
his fellows on the scroll of fame il
Jones-Jones from the ''dark and
BLOODY Ground"-Kentucky.
The passage OF the river and har-
Dor appropriation bill is the most
transparent job of the session. The
incOngruity INVOLVED by the passage
Of bill of this nature, by 9 House
specially plum1ng itself on its econ
Omical reputation, becomes appar-
emit when it 10 stated that the largest
expenditures contemplated by it are
for the improvement OF water lines
in West Virginia Of about IS much
importance to trade 40 goose and
frog ponds and mountain brooks
and riverlets. Much of the money
degignated is for localities almost
wholly destitute Of any pretentiOns
to commerce, while other important
points = business centres - where
many millions Of dollars, invested
in the commodities of export and
import, are imperiled annually by
dangerous distractions to n8Yiga-
ton, were left unprovided for; or,
if remembered at ali, only 30 to q
very trifling extent. It is asserted
that the bill was rushed through the
House by the aid of many members
wholly ignorant of its provisions,
who are now in q state of great dis
tress and trepitation in view of the
probable effect their record may
have on the next Cong ressiOnal
elections in their districts. Ignor-
ance of the provisions of this bill
ought not to be urged, or accepted
as a valid excuse for q vote in it's
favor. 1t ought to be held the duty
of every custodian of q public trust
to know enough of it's. nature to be
able to act upon it understandingly ;
because az in this instance, an I'M
advised vote, though cast with the
purest and best intentions, is just as
pregnant with mischievous results
as though cast designedly and with
q swindle in view. 1t has vet to pass
the Senate before it can become OPP
erative, and it is hoped it may re-
ceive its quie tus before that body.
The bill providing the necessary
means for an investigation into the
methods of the last State election in
Mississippi has passed both Houses,
and the committee charged with
that duty will soon depart on lite
mission. If one-hslf of the fraud,
violence and intimidation of voters
as is alleged to have existed, and
been practiced by the ku klux klans
and white leagues of that State can
be established by an impartial in
; vestigation, IL ought to invalidate
} the election of every member Of
, Congress who came here under such
auspices. And no fear of being
charged with waving the "bloody
! shirt" should deter the committee
from doing its whole duty In the
premises. Whatever the results o
, this inquiry may be, the bad faith
: and treachery of the Democrat,
q covenanters In the Wheeler compro
mise business in Louisans will prob
!, ably decide the Republican mem
}. bers against . repetition of tina
It adjustment.
Ben Hill threw the Confederat
side OF the House, the other even
Ing into fearful state Of consterna
ton by just rising in his seat for tn
y purpose of making . few remarks
u He got along however, tolerabI.
\, well without infiicting any YER
10, dangerous wound on his party
t Ben is very generally regarded 9
81 an uninteniionAl marplOt by hi
. party associates, and never make
is the most Innocent move in his chaiI
o even to blow his nose, that don
Of start the Precipitation to the cute
:. surface of every Confederate col
10 perhead skin in the House.
l, The sweet odors emaAating froI
I'd the ex spy-ex-detective Bell, hav
10 provoked innumerAble response
from many victims his confidenC
ct game operations and others. TheI
IS, appears to be very general unS
sh nimity of opinion as to his chara'
~ ter, and all to the effect that he is
mt ''dead beat" of the most virulel
ng type and If some of the over OF
n cious gentlemen that he has impo
~ ed upon and Overreached, who hay
ed an unlucky habit of always sayiI
ell and doing too much, have BET
he damaged by contact with him,
may teach q needed lesson. NJ
=. GlOver's committee appear to..hav
It's an elephant OF the most coloss
ill proportions ON their hands in Il
Try person or the recusant Hallett XII
Re, bourne. He has developed . stor
a. achic capacity that won
yn- put to shame and consume an adj
1ot tape-worm with envy, or send it
lg- an untimely grave with govt. d
NJ of his most remarkable feAts occI