Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-12-11
WASHINGTON ooRREsP0yDENCE.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 7, 1877
To the Editor Of the journal:
Since the Kellogg Butler eneute in the Senate,
political breezes have simmered down to almost
dead calm. The regular session having com
menced, and the members, generally, having set
tied themselves for the winter, matters and men
assume more of the ordinary Congressional aspect
The special session did nothing of importance
except to pass the army and navy appropriation
bills, which legislation was legitimsley the work
Of the preceding session. The various necessary
committees, however, have been appointed, to-
gether with their clerks and sub committees
and this is a saving of time if these commit
tees will take the advantage given them,
and 90 to work at once and in earnest
to expedite all necessary legislation which
falls to their consideration. Their duties are to
investigate and report and by such report the House
is generally influenced, especially upon all mat
tiers of secondary minor considerations, such As
bills Of relief petitions and appeals of corporate
Or private nature. Often favorable or unfayorabe
action IS taken upon cases upon the recomme nda
tion of one Congressman of a sub committee, the
balance of the committee trusting to his research,
ju igment and report regarding them. This must
necessarily be the case in view of the large mum
Der and varied merits of cases coming before Con
gress.
Very many of our congressman are overrun with
business of this sort coming from their constt
uents, and are obliged to hire and pay from their
own pockets, clerks or amanuenses to keep their
desks clear of such matter. Gen. Batter, while he
was member of the 4i;h Congr SIS, kept two
clerks constantly employed at this Congressional
labor. he population, industries genius. and
wants Of this great country are yearly increasing.
and each year adds more oi this legislative incn.
bus. Soon, and very soon, some better way must
be devised TO expedite this business, else the cal
endsrs OF Congress can never be cleared except
by the most careless and hurried leg lsaiion. In.
deed this is often the case now. Notme TO attend
to these smaller matters except to hurriedly nves
tgate, report and pass them to be engros,ed OF ia
be killed outright.
A SIGNIFICANT CONTRAST
To one who has eye to cleanliness and gooc
taste, the difference between the Senate anc
House halls. corridors and alcoves is strikingl,
spparent With respect to noise and confu sioI
there has always been a marked diHerence-tht
House, fresh from the people and uDused, more
or less to parliamentary usage, will ever be more
or less disordery and plebeian while the Senate i.
dignifed, quiet, and more attractive in all thai
concerns the proprieties of politics and courtesy
amongst its members towards each other.
Bot previous to the last Congress there was no,
that extraordinary distingushment which now
contrasts the two Houses The one place holds
its dignity, gentIemanliness, nestness and good
taste; the other is becoming place of filth, pro-
family, vulgsrity and ill-manners, and where the
Irish brogue is as often heard or oftener than the
good or bad English which is supposed to be the
language of such place l. not this signif.