The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1882-02-01

In the Hose a Representatives, On
the 2]st inst, . bin came Up for eoas6d-
esation to ply 10 . citsea q New
Hampshire tie sum of >66, IN fill satts-
faction for his claim for the wrongful
seizure a one pair q white steep By the
Collector Of Customs Of the Portsmouth
district. Mr.. Springer, Of Illinois, took
occasion in connection with the bill, to
make some very sensible observations
on the subject Of special legislation. He
charged that It was an outrage on 3d.
MO,OOO Of people that two great legisIa-
tive b0dies-One composed Of nearly
800 members, and the other Of nearly
twice ss many Senators ~ there are
States-should have their time<aken up
by cases that were within the jurfsdic-
ton Of . justice Of the peace. He stated
that two thirds Of the business imposed
upon Congress was the business Of claim
agents, and demanded an early cOnsid-
GRAFTON Of an amendment he had pro-
lnssed to the constitution to do away
with this vicious and unjust practice.
His amendment 10 ~ follows: ''Sec-
ton l. The legislative power Of the
United States is limited to the enact
n,ent Of laws general in their applica-
ton and effect to all sections and per-
SONS within the jurisdiction of this Con-
stitution. All laws, private or special
cnactn'cnts, hereby prohibited, shall te
null and void. Sec. 2. All claims
against the United States shall he adju-
Dictated and determined by such tribu-
nal as Congress may establish for that
purpse."
Upon the same day nearly the entire
sitting was taken up with the consider
alton Ol bill tor the relief Of Assistant
Treasurer ut Boston, Chandler, for the
es,lN.zzlcn,cnt Of over half i million
dollars by Cashier Hartwell who was
under him. Hartwell had alstracted
gold certificates to the amount Of $5SO,
NE,, which he was in the habit If n.y.
pothicating and upon which he obtain
cI money from the banks when an
examination Of the sub-treasury funds
was to R made, and it is urged
that Chandler had no means Of
knowing IF this clnlezzlement and
II" powc: over the appointment
or removal OF this subordinate. 1t was
urged in opposition to this bill that its
passage would invite collision between
treasury agents and their sulOrdinates
every where, and that there would he
absolutely NO protection to the Govern
n,cnt in the custody IF it, revenues.
The Committee Of the Whole, however,
recommended the passage Of the bill for
the relief Of Chandler. 1t is bad pre-
ctsient, and Is an invitation to other
c,sstOdians Of large amounts of money
to steal themselves rich, and then cor
rult Congress to secure subsequent inl-
MUMMY from, punishment.
This is question Of vital importance
even in this Territory The time Of
past Legislatures has been largely taken
up with the consideration Of private
bills. Justice requires the absolute pro-
hit'iti"m Of special. local and private
legislation Of every kind. AL the in
lIii,itant> Of til" land should lie qua, ram
tct.'l Ivy the fundamental law Of society
the right to lc governed in all their
relations Ivy general laws. and II" pre-
lni,inls should hc offered to those. hay.
ing political influence. or the ;io,..y and
disposition t" corrupt law makers, to
'i.'l'.,ch the public service. Ii is Il dam
Er:"''S mixture nf the judicial with the
legislative power. II is 4 matter that
li:> lvvn considered in many Of the
States, and an absolute prohibition, in
.rrt"i in t'lt.ir Respective constitutions
against every kind "f special Lgisl:,-
ton ami against all relief hills for tlm.s&.
who have tr:,n>grt>sel their duties or
lost public moneys through c:,rrlc~<n,s,S
or negligence. When it is fully under
>t'n"l tina: public officials will IN. held /"
- strict accountability, there must nccc,-
>ariiy J." more honesty al.; caution in
Ill" discharge If public trusts ami hen
i, is known that al! citizens stand u,un
an ",ua! footing ia relation to public
Esvn-s, there vii! then !,r no induce
men, for degrading. and lobbying and
,":i"ltin" public servants. There ar.
now al"", !,'.r private bills pending in
Congress. They can all lr properly con-
>i'lrr,a| before court Of claims.
From, u late :liSla:cl, ". learn that al
though there is little confidence rx-
pressed 81 far hy n.cnllcrS ct the House