Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-07-19

in Congress. The following is Colonel
Birds communication:
EDITOR BANNER Much Of my recent
ten days stay in Washington was spent
in and about the Capitol. | was graft
fed and no little surprised to learn that
Hon. L. B. Caswell was, not only one of
the most faithful workers of the House,
but also one Gifts most influential MEM
bers Gratified because he was my neigh
Dor, surprised only because his labors
had received so little mention in the press,
compare with their extent and value to
the country. My surprise lasted, how
ever, only until | learned the following
practice observed by most members in Sc
curing favorable mention Ill the press:
When Mr.. Jones thinks he has made 4
special effort in any direction, he writes
a glowing account of it, hands 1t to the
associated press correspondent who has
seat on the floor, and the latter telegraphs
it to all parts of the country. Members
Of the reporters gallery are also largely
paid Tor like services. | found Mr.. Cas-
well didn't even know the name Of the
associated press correspondent, although
the latter has occupied the same seat IN
the House for the last fifteen years, and
that he was not personally acquainted
with a single member OF the reporters
gallery. was pleased to learn Mr. Cas-
we'll resorted to none OF these methods
OF weak men to blazon his deeds abroad,
but WAS content to rely upon the faith
fulness of his labols to secure tor him
that recognition his efforts deserve.
The extent of MIR. Caswell's services
may be seen from a mention of some few
OF his labors. lie is member OF the APP
preparation committee composed OF tlf-
teen members, among them such men as
HisCOck, Robeson, black burn and Cox,
recognized leaders Ill whatever they are
engaged. This committee, composed, as
it Is, of such men, committed to Mr.. Cas-
wells sole charge the preparation OF bills
involving the. expenditure OF some forty
five million dollars. The labor required
in this work was very great. Vast vol
umes of estimates submitted by the de-
partments Intricate fluctuations OF figures,
an Immense mass of complicated statutes
and judicial decisions, had to be eXamln-
ed, digested and supplied. 80 well has
Mr.. Caswell performed this work, that
the committee haS entrusted MIN with
the very delicate and important duty of
devislng ana pertecung an entirely new
system Tor the railway mail service OF the
country, his report To be submitted at
the next session OF Congress. The fact
that this service now costs the govern
ment about eleven million dollars an
uually indicates the Importance OF this
work
some years ago the United States award
ed to Japan the sum of i've million dol
lars. Instead OF paying the award II was
kept in the treasury and interest thereon
at the rate, | think, OF per cent. per an
mum, has sInce been annually pald 10 Ja-
pan. MIR. Caswell insisted that this award
should no longer be kept IL the treasury,
out should De PAID at once, and thus save
the annual drain on the treasury OF So
UUO interest A clause was there ore IN
serted IN the appropriation bill requiring
the award to be paid, and this interest
stopped.
Inc continuation of the Geodetlc sur
vey Is OF vast importance to those states
IN which it has not yet been completed,ot
which Wisconsin Is one.. Its Importance
consists mainly in that it furnishes points
Tor state surveys A strenuous effort was
made by those states IN which this survey
has been completed to strike from the
sundry civil bill the clause allowing part
OF the appropriations for surveys to be
used IN continuing this survey toward the
western coast. Mr.. Caswell cnampioned
and by well directed efforts secured its re-
tention, thus saving TO this state the tull
benefits Of this survey without at all IN
creasing the appropriation.
In the postal appropriation bill $780,
600 was set apart Tor the rapid transit o.
mails from the seaboard. The object was
to secure fast mail trains on the trunk
lines from New York, Washington, Phil,
adelphia and Boston, to deliver mails as
speedily as possible at Chicago for the
WesL and northwest, aud at some cen
trail city in the south for the south and
southwest. The bill as passed by the
house so provided. In the senate, it was
sought to amend by repairing the amount
to be expended in the mail service be-
tween different cities scattered all over
the country, instead of upon the trunk
lines leading from the seaboard cities.
The amendment would have entirely de-
stroyed the object Of the appropriation,
as expediting mailssbetween New Orleans
and Galveston, or Richmond and Mobile
would not expedite the mails from the
seaboard cities. Mr. Caswen by judici-
Gus efforts with senators, secured the
adoption ofthe bill in the senate substan-
TALLY as it came from the house.
We might mention many other i'm
portant measures affecting the whole
country as well as the State of Wiscon-
sin, with which Mr. Caswell has been
closely identified But the above are
sufficient to illustrate the varied charac-
ter OF his services and the benefits to be
derived therefrom. 1t is by such means
he has secured the reputation of being
one Of The most faithful and efficient
workers or this Congress, Il reputation
which he richly deserves and may we'll
be proud Of.
GEO w. BIRD.
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AZTALAN-TEIE ANCIENT CITY.
By Prof. j. d. Butler.