The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-02-04
RAIDING THE TREASURY

Congressional Record, from day to day, are
rather limited in number, but it is well to
look over its pages occasionally just TO keep
pace with the gentlemen who are sent up to
the national capital every winter to attend
to the country's legislation. 1t is not
always that these representatives are found
engaged in just that character Of work We
would like to see going on or such as the
necessities of their constituencies demand,
but there is one aspect in which
the average member never fails
to show up conspicuously. 1t may
be uncomplimentary to say so, but
this role is that OF the claim.agent. In
glancing from time to time over the pro-
ccedings of the present session the one pre-
dominant feature of all others therein is
the myriad of private bills and bills for re-
lief of this man or that, or this institution
or the other, all looking to slice of the
big surplus reported as locked up in the
vaults of the treasury at the ma
tional capital In no other con-
gress and at no previous time
perhaps in our history have these
claims been so numerous. Being ola pri-
yate nature, every one acquainted with the
manner drumming a legislative body will
at once perceive the ease with which they
can be passed through the different stages
of their growth into laws. The gentleman
who has introduced the measure assures
the house that every thing is all right"
aboutit, and so it goes. Underneath all
this seeming fairness and justice may Turk
villainous scheme-an actual rob-
berry of the government. In the
meantime matters of consequence
generally must wait. In these latter a
record will be made that may not readily
adapt itself to the cxigencies of future
campaign, and hence no hasty attention is
given them. Up to the present time, after
nearly two months in session, the forty
seventh congress has done next to nothing
but receive and pass to their different read
ings this multitude of claim and
relief bills, and the great men com
posing the body have displayed
such skill and ability, as are
rarely witnessed. 1t does seem as if the
raids upon the treasury commenced the
very moment it is recognized that the
country is prosperous and the vaults full.
Many, perhaps majority, of such meas
ures are meritorious and deserve some at
tertion, but first let those subjects receive
prompt and intelligent consideration in
which the people at large are interested. We
notice that one entire days business was
merely debate AND wranglc over bill al
lowing 100000 in gold for the relief
of a national bank in Boston. At that time
many measures of national interest and sig
nilicancc were demanding investigation and
action. And indeed this has been the in
variable rule for the whole session. T!is
way of discnarging grave and weighty pub.
lie duties does not strike us as particularly
commendable, and the members of our
present congress ought to be asked "to
rise and explain" when they return from
NiiNA HiNNSNhN Nilp w W uSllluklOn,
The many applicants who are indi.
viduolly seeking government aid, and the
money OF the people might afford to wait
until their proposed beneiactor is himself
provided for. Aside from the damaging
effect of such course, as indicated, the
spectacle we present to foreign
powers ought to be sufficient nducement
to our congressman to get down to impor.
tant work. If the rules of the house are
such as to prevent speedy work and better
control by the speaker, they should be at
oscc changed so that every corrupt or
member could net when he
saw fit use them as distractions to needed
proceedings and in behalf of his own ques.
tionable or selfish purposes. II the more
influential and conscientious men at Wash.
ington do not JOIN in protecting the public
moneys and stopping the further considera.
ton of these indscriminate calls of nm indi.
vidual nature, We shall be without u surplus
and possibly treasury itself.