Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1882-12-27
From oVr regular correspondent,
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Wa.hIngIon. D. o. Dee. 2a, ~

Washington, u, c. Dee, rs, 'ss,
Our much.adorcd Congress has taxi
on itself oll' lor the holidays rs usual,
AFTER cutting some fancy shines over
the subject Never were Congressman
more anxious to appear yirluous than
ut present, bu, the grcut majority OF
them would be entirely satisfied with
the appearance mCrcly-iho shadow
without the substance, so in order 10
make an impression npon the dear pea
pie they voted to deny themselves the
holiday recess, aud during two
hours discussion Of the question the
grcat aud good Robson talked rs sol
EMMY rs au owl about the grave re.
sponsibilitics OF the present Congress,
aud then offered a resolution imposing
n fine of $50 upon members each and
every time they were found absent
from roll call. Ot course this passed.
Nothing is easier han TO pass virtuous
resolutions through Congress now.
But fully onc-half of the very fellows
who voted for il intended all the time
to take an early train either for home
or some other place in pursuit of bust
ness or pleasure, The scene in the
House on the day after this resolution
was passed would have made corpse
laugh. Very soon after the Chaplain
had made his prayer the fun began.
Members rose up one after another all
over the House and filed II request for
leave of absence, some upon one pre-
text and some upon another. Some
had sick families, some were sick
themselves, and some had important
business--lhc estates of deceased rela-
tives to settle and the like. The cutest
of all was Il Pennsylvania member,
who stated that unless he was permit
ted to 90 home and make lease of II
coal mine before January large
number of laborcrs would be thrown
ont of employment, Finally that
which was expected occurred: The
House reversed its action of the day
before and voted to take ten days
recess. | am not writing this to rail
at Congressman. They are only men,
us other men are, and their frailties
are the trailties Of human nature. The
mistake is that we should expect the
chosen representatives Of a great peo-
pie to be above small weaknesses, or at
least above insincerity and cheap bum
kun.
There have been from time to time
great many scandals growing out of
the administration of the affairs of this
city and District, and it would seem
that the combined efforts of Congress
and the executive might finally bring
them to an end. To Congress belongs
the responsibility of making suitable
laws for our local Government, and to
the President the appointment of prop
err men for executing them. The
troubles and scandals have been chiefly
due to the character of the men as
signed to this latter duty. And now
President Arthur has just made one of
these strange mistakes which so often
accur in such atfairs-appointing an
unfit man to the office of District Com
missioner. 1t is almost unaccountable
how such an appointment could be
made with all the lights before the
President, and with so many gopd
men willing to take the Office. Of
course some curious personal consider
alton or unseen political influence ac-
complished it. Mr.. Olmstead, the ap-
pointee, possesses business qualifca-
lions, but he was mixed up with the
famous real estate pool transactions, of
which "Boss" Shepherd and Hallet
Kilbourn were the head, and is backed
by a street railway company indebted
to the city to the amount Of hundreds
Of thousands of dollars for taxes,
which its managers refuse to pay. and
which never will be paid if he is con-
frmed. 1t is said, too, that if he be-
comes Commissioner we shall not get
rid of our corrupt and rascally detect
i've force, which has in connection with
other thieves plundered and robbed our
citizens for years. A movement is on
foot, led by respectable citizens, to pre-
rent Olmstead's confirmation by the
Senate, but doubt il it succeeds. The