The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-12-30
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


The business of Congress has never
within my knowledge been so far
advanced at this early stage of the
session as it is now. The usual prac.
tice of taking things easy and leis-
urely until after the holidays has not
obtained this year, but on the con-
trary both houses have from the first
day displayed extraordinary indus
try, the result of which is that several
appropriation bills haye already pass
ed both houses, and number of
other measures are in an unusual
state of forwardness. The action of
the House of Representatives in re-
gard to a recess during the Christmas
holidays sayored little of the ludi-
crous. Many of the members who on
Monday voted to work during the
holiday season appeared to have done
so in the hope that the decision would
apply only to their fellow members,
they themselves expecting to get
away on leave of absence and have a
good time at their respective homes.
AS ARENAS Ward was willing to
give UP his cousins, nepheWs ana
uncles and allow them to shed the
last drop of their blood for the de-
Tense of the Union, these Representa-
tiyes were willing to have their
brother members forego the delights
of a Christmas and New Years at
their own firesides, but wished to be
excused from making the same Sacrl-
flee themselves, and when they found
that this cheap patriotism would not
pass muster they faced about and
voted for a recess. The resolution
for this purpose, which finally passed
the House, was supported by74 Dem
ocrats and SO Republicans while 70
Republicans and % Democrats voted
in the negative.
General John B. Eaton, Commits
sioner of Education, has been over to
New York to address the Union
League Club on the subject of national
aid to education in the backward
states. The pending proposition to
grant an annual appropriation of ten
million dollars to be distributed
among the States in amounts pro-
portion to the degree of illiteracy
within their borders meets with a
good deal of favor in Congress and
among the people. Eight Northern
State legislatures have, l am inform
ed, passed resolutions in its favor,
and it is believed that the Southern
legislatures, governors and school
officials are all but unanimous in de-
string its adoption. With so large a
support it would undoubtedly be
promptly enacted into law if the
question ofmaking the proposed grant
could be submitted to Congress in a
form uncomplicated with political
considerations. But unfortunately
this is a difficult matter and may
prove to he impracticable. The mon
ey would go mainly to Southern
States, and, if placed under the con.
troll of the State Governments, might
be used with view to strengthing
the Democratic party, at least in
incidental ways. This Republicans
will naturally desire to guard against
by placing around the grant certain
restrictions as to the mode of It's eX.
penditure, and if these happen to be
such as Democratic members of Con-
gress strongly object to, an agreement
may be impossible, and a measure
which both parties really desire,
could they be assured of its honest
and dlsinteresteda administration may
fail to go through, because neither is
willing to trust the other with the
control of the money.
There is at last promis of some
thing being done to recover the pub.
lie lands held by railroads under
forfeited grants: Senator Saunders
has made move looking to repeal
of the presumption act and an enforce.
ment of the law against railway COM
panies which have failed to complete
their roads within the period pre-
scribed by law. Both of these objects
demand immediate attention. The
amount of public land available for
farming purposes is now becoming
comparatively small, and it should
be scrupulously reserved for actual
settlers under a modified homestead
law. The presumption law, although
supposed to be designed for the ben.
eft of actual settlers, facilitates the
acquisition of large tracts of land by
capitalists. and the same is true as re-
CARDS the Communication feature of the
homestead law--that feature, name
ly, which provides for the acquisition
OF title to a homestead at the end of
six months residence upon pay
ment of 5000 AS reOardS tho forFo;t