The Donaldsonville chief., 1878-06-15
Our Washington Letter.
wAsu1NaroN, D. G., june 6, 1878.

Let no man Write my epltaph.'
The present session of Congress
should pass a resolution unanimously
begging the universe to do the same
negative thing by it, for were it's
epitaph to be written, that body
would, unless all sense of propriety
be dead, rush collectively to hide it
self under tombstone. To those
who are at a distance, and get their
idea of Congress from their one Rep
resentative, who of course is on his
good behavior while surrounded by
his constituents, that august body
looms up in magnificent proper tions,
but with it, like a great many other
things, distance lends enchantment.
There are of course exceptions to the
rule, and many of the representatives
are men fitted for the place and do
Justice to it, but there is another class
who pander aud bow to the Almighty
Dollar so much that their vote is con-
stantly " on the market u and its
price known to the members of the
q Third House, The constituents of
man who openly avows he will
spend so much for his election, have
no safeguard against what he may do
when he becomes a member. When
you get good thing stick to it. IF
you have a man who represents your
district well, send him back. A mem
Der has little power for good the first
session. It takes him till the end of
| that to learn the customs, and it is
never until the second or third term
that q man can control influence
enough to benefit his constituents TO
any extent. We in Washington see
better than the farmers and others
who really send the members to Con-
gress and I don't ask them to take
my word for it but let the member
himself take my word for the truth
of the old saying, 6 He serves his
party best, who serves his country
fist" In the coming election, readers,
send back your old members If they
didn't buy their election and have
been true to their trust and your in
tertst. Life is very short, md we
don't know when it will end; rather
stick to the old friends that we do
know, than to send those whom We
don't know.
| In one sense the proposition of the
House Committee ON Indian affairs to
visit the Indian Territory is c0nmen-
dable, for thay might learn something
about the gentle aborigiDe, and leave .
scalp or two as il testimonial of the ma
tion's interest in its wards. The pro-
posed territory of Oklahoma is, how
ever, another scheme to steal poor Los
land aud give it to a railroad company,
and it is to hoped that those who are
SO soanxious to ciyilize the Indians by
organizing this new territory on spec
ulation will be stopped in the outrage
by some fair handed member, with
honesty enough IN him to stand up
for justice.
Senator Window, when reporting
the House Appropriation bill, made
some very apt and true remarks. He
said that the Senate Committee dis
agreed on the clause recommending
the reduction of the pay of laborers,
and added that it would be time to
reduce the pay of the laboring men
when the salaries of those in official
positions were curtailed. The sala-
ries of snbordinates are less now than
when Congressman received but
$4,000 per year, while now the latter
receive $4,000, with mileage thrown in.
The Cabinet officer who draws his
$4,000 per year is often dependent
more or less for official knowledge
upon the subordinate under him who
has to be eontelt on $500.
The work of unearthing the alleged
| frauds by the Potter Committee be-
gan last Saturday. By half past nine
some OF the press gang commenced
prowling around and ut ten Greaser'
Potter put in an appearance. The
common herl were kept apart from
the committee by a wooden railing
which cut off for their use about two
thirds of the room. The first witness
was James Z. Anderson. He was
neatly dressed and appeared cool and
self-c0nscious. Mr.. McMahon OF Ohio
conducted the examination, which be-
gan with the usual questions of name
and residence. The mountain has
now commenced IFS terrible labor.
What will it bring forth ] By the
next letter ! shall probably have
some interesting details OF the inyes-
tigati0n.
Notwithstanding the various re-