The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-12-28
THE SHORTCOMINGS OF ooSGREss.

THE SHORTCOMINGS OF CONGRESS.
We might, if so minded, write a column
or two in mere enumeration of the short
comings oGour American Congress. 1t is
no longer the digniied and exalted body
our fathers made it, but has fallen to a
level with the pothouse gathering of
Municipal canvass where ward politicians
are most in their glory. To
make political speeches, season timber
for political campaigns and lay pipes for
daily task Of the average Congressman,
each one no matter if of different political
faith, helping the other. The body has
become So unwieldy in numbers, both
Houses considered, that there must needs
be committees and committees to give every
member place and an opportunity for some
sort of patronage as lever with which
to return again to play statesman and draw
the peoples money-for what? Aye,
there's the rub Among the committees
Of both Houses is that on Revolutionary
Claims, 1t has been about century since
the revolutionary war ended-indeed, the
battle of Yorktown centennial was ccle-
hrated only Il few months ago and that bat
tie ended the war, so where is the use
for a Committee on Revolutionary Claims?
The committee costs some money and be-
ing Useless, why waste money 50 nonsen-
sically? Some ten days or more ago SEN
ator Hoar, of Massachusetts,, offered a rcsO-
Senators be appointed By the chair to con.
slider of all petitions, resolutions, etc, that
might BIS presented concerning the extern
sion of suffrage to women. Senator Vest
Of Missouri opposed, and from the follow
ing excerpt from his remarks, a correct
and comprehensive idea can be formed of
the Importance Of the Committee on l,eyo-
lutionarv Claims, Senator Vest said: THE
Senator from Massachusetts was pleased to
say that the Committee ON the Judiciary
Lad 50 many Important questions pending
before it, that the subject of woman SUI.
frage should not be added to them. The
Comm &c on Territ res is open to any
complaint, or suggestion by the ladies who
advocate woman suffrage, ii regard to this
subject in the Territories; and the Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections to which
this subject should 20 most appropriately,
as affecting the suffrage, has not now before
it, as am informed, one single bill, resolu-
ton, or proposition of any sort
whatever That committee is also
open to inquiry upon this sub
ject But, Mr.. President, out of
all committees without business, and
habitually without business in this body,
there is one that beyond any question could
take jurisdiction of this matter and do it
ample justice. | refer to that most respecta-
bic and antique institution, the Committee
on Revolutionary Claims. For thirty years
it has been without business For thirty
long years the placid surface of that parlia.
mentary sea has been without one single
ripple. If the Senator from Massachusetts,
desires tribunal for calm, judicial equilib.
rum and examination, a tribunal far from
the 'madding crowds ignoble strife, tri'
bunal eminently respectable, dignifed and
unique, why not send this question to tho
Committee on Revolutionary Claims
When name the personnel of that com
mittee il will be evident that any consdera.
ton on any subject touching the female
sex would receive not only deliberate but
immediate attention, for the second member
upon that committee is my distinguished
friend from Florida Mr.. Jonesl, and who
can doubt that he would give his undivided
attention to the subject? [Laughtcr,l II
is eminently proper that this subject should
go to that committee, because, il there is
any revolutionary claim in this country, il
is that of woman suffrage. [Laughter.l 1t
revoutionizes society it revolutionizes re.
ligion; it reTolutionizes the Constitution
and laws; and it revolutionizcs the opinions
OF those so old-fashioned among us as tc
believe that the legitimate and proper
sphere of woman is the family circle as
wife and mother, and not us politician and
voter-thosc ofus who are proud to believe
| that
"a wOman's noblest station Is retreat
| Her iaircst virtues ny from public sight
Domestic worth-thais huns too strong lighL
Before that Committee ON Revolutionary
Claims why could not this most revolution,
AIRY of all claims receive immediate and
ample attention? More than that, as said
before, il there is any tribunal that could
give undivided time and dignilicd attention
il it not this committee? If there is one
peaceful haven of rest, never disturbed by
any profane bill or resolution of any sort
It is the Committee on Revolutionary
Claims, 1t is, in parliamentary life, de
scribed by that ecstatic verse in Watt.
hymn;
| "'rhcrc shall battle my wcurled soul
| In seas of endless rest
Aud not one wave Of trouble roll
| ApF ftNkH asfat Il