The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-02-25
WASHINGTON. Feb. u. 1851.

10 UeUD6 InelT pOSlL1OQS on unsettled
and controverted national questions
the policy member Of congress keeps
vigllant outlook, and calculates the
political loss or gain that may accrue to
his own reputation, and that of his
party, by every vote he gives. The
pulse Of his constituents must be con-
stantly consulted, because his re cleo
ton may be defeated by his giving
single impolitic vote.
All people may not be aware that
since the democrats came into power
in Congress there have been three leg
islative branches. The constitution
recognizes but two-the Senate and
House; the democrats have instituted
a third branch, the caucus. Hence
when any important measure has been
introduced in either House If it
had not previously been consider
ed in caucus, action upon it has inva-
riably been deferred until it has gone
through the caucus ordeal. If that
body decides the proposed legislation
will advantage the party, or at least
work no damage, it is put forward. If
its political influence is against the
party it is marked for defeat. It is no.
ticeable this third power which has the
past two years been potential in shap-
ing legislation has in a measure lost
it's supremacy. Perhaps one reason is,
considerable number of the present
members will be retired from Office af-
ter the 4th Of March and therefore are
becoming Indifferent to caucus dicta-
ton.
INFLOW OF vIsITORs-PAssIoNF FOR
sIGHT-sEEIN G.
The arrival of visitors from abroad,
who come to remain until after the in
auguration, is daily on the increase;
every train brings additional numbers.
Hotels and boarding houses are fast
filling up. The Inauguration 10 the
chief topic of conversation on the
streets and elsewhere. Aside from the
anticipated grand display, all trades
and occupations in the city are hoping
to reap gains from the multitude who
will sojourn here for short period.
The hotels, saloons and eating houses
will, of course, come in for the largest
share of profit. The passion for sight
seeing is extravagantly developed.
The windows fronting Pennsylvania
Avenue, on either side, along which
the procession will pass, are being rent
ed to those who wish TO obtain a good
view of the pageant from five to TWEEN
ty-fve dollars per window, according
to location and size. It is estimated |
that the total rent of windows and bal |
comics will be from fifteen to twenty |
thousand dollars. Besides the win |
doWs, stands are in process of erection !
on the triangular parks along the ave- |
nue., capable of accommodating a still |
Larger number of persons. The avenue
itself, being ten rods wide, and the dis |
lance from the Capitol to the Presiden-
tial mansion over mile, affords stand |
ing room for ten thousand, who will
not care to pay the price Of ticket for
a more eligible position.
Whatever may be said of the love of
pageantry and display of other nations
the American people have no lack of |
fondness for grand public demonstra-
tons. The organization known here
as the Wisconsin Republican Associa-
ton has rooms at AIS Twelfth street, |
n. w. Citizens Of Wisconsin who
may visit Washington during the week
of inauguration will find the rooms
open for their convenience. Besides
affording temporary place of rest, a
register will be found giving thenames
ana residence of Wisconsin people in
the city. The location of the rooms is
central, being only a few doors from
Pennsylvania Avenue, the chief thor
oughfare of Washington.
RIVERS AND HARBoRs-UNJUsTIF
BILE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Is
THE REMEDY.
The river and harbor bill, which con-
sumed SO large share of time in dis
cussions, finally passed the House by
vote of 1852 to "a. MIR. Williams, of
Wisconsin, who had not spoken on the
harbor bill during the protracted de-
bates, took occasion just before Its pas
sage to make humorous speech, which
was loudly applauded, and had the
effect of putting the House in exceed
ingly good temper. The speech was
timely, as many members had become
irritable by the heated discussions. The
appropriations for the various rivers
and harbors in Wisconsin were passed
for the same amounts as first reported
by the committee.
The appropriations for rivers and |
harb0rs are every year becoming more
a swindling sort of legislation. The
present bill, like former ones, makes |
appropriations for creeks, dignified
with the name of river, which in dry |
seasons have hardly sufficient water to |
float yaWl-boat, and which can never |
be made navigable for any practicable |
use. If any one asks why apprOpria-
tons for the improvement of insignifi- |
cant streams and bayous are not |
stricken out, the answer is, unless these |
are retained no river and harbor bill |
can be passed. There are members of |
Congress enough residing at distance
from any navigabla waters who will
not vote for general appropriation |
bill, unless their particular section of |
country can have share of the money
voted, whether for the benefit of COM
merce or not. However strange this
may appear, it is nevertheless true, and
the problem is, what is the remedy?
There is now no alternative for the
friends of appropriations for de-
serving rivers and harbors but to vote
for the general bill, with its objection
able features; refusing so to do plac
our commerce at the mercy of the winds
and waves. All the members of the
House from Wisconsin voted for the
bill; it was in no sense a party meas
ure.
SEEKING RETRIBUTTON.
Mrs. Lucy A. Elkins, the wife of
Henry A. Ekins. the artist and land
scape painter, formerly of and we'll