Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-02-15
lFTom Our Regular C)rrespondent.l
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Feb. IL. 49,

- ~
The debates in the House and Senate
are. at present, somewhat tedious and un-
exciting The re-appOrtionment ofcongress,
made necessary by the new census. is not
question that draws popular attention.
Nor does the $500 900 600 prodigslity. now
disc ssed eE p st facio. do more than ex.
cite 4 feeling of remorse that we should
have given such an immense sum into the
management of claim agents. Beyond
the passage of the funding bill, little bust.
ness Of importance has been transacted in
the Senate during the week. This bill is
now in the hands of the ways and means
committee of The House, where it is meet
ing with much opposition. 1t is evident
that it will not be reported back to the
Senate until it has been amended so that
Mr.. Sherman will not know it.
In the House, NJ. Burrows introduced
4 bill, which was promptly passed, provid.
ing hat no person guilty OF more than
A'ut WIZ Sudli bO " tuo OluOO vi
delegate in the House of Representatives
from territory. This bill was leveled at
Mr. George Q Cannon. a Mormon with
considerably more than one wife. who has
long been the delegate from Utah in con-
gress. During the week, Mr. Cannon was
called before the judiciary committee of
the House, and asked many questions
relative TO the social and marital status OF
his co.religionists in Utah. Some of bis
replies were not suitable for publication,
but. among other curious stat ments, he
said hat spiritual marriage in the belief
of the d" Later Day Saints" meant that no
woman could attain Heaven unless mar
rird 10 81 Mormon on earth. He espresso,
his belief that the principles and practices
of the Mormon church would finally
spread over the whole earth, and that the
present prosecution of the church by the
United Stttes could have no other effect
than 10 soidiiy the organization, and in
CiNuoG lllO LSdi Vi ITO III
doctrines which they earnestly believed TO
be revelations from God. With reference
10 The bill before the Judiciary committee
preventing ploygamists from voting or
holding Office, Mr.. Cannon said it would
be more equitable if amended so as TO
disranchise, and disqualify, all offenders
against the laws of chastity and single
marriage.
The enormous number of -four thousand
bills have been introduced in the House,
and there is little prospect of an early
termination of this congress. Many SEN
ators and members believe that the ses-
sion will last until the middle of July. OF
until the heat and malaria shall drive
congress TO more healthful localities.
The tariff funding and appropriation
bills will be debated at considerable
length, but only few of the thousands o.
bills introduced will be heard from again
y very determined effort will be made BY
the friends of this fororn district to i'm
prove the Potomac marshes, with a view
Of suppressing the malaria which infect,
everything here, not excepting legislation
Ehe District of Columbia is an oligarchy
governed by congress and the president
Her citizens have no votes, and no inau
ence. Congress is achameleon that seldom
reflects the color OF the capital. The per
sonnet of congress is continually changing
and, like nonresident landlords. they art
more interested in improving the naviga
ton of he rivulets of their own homes
han in the sanitary condition of this fount
ain of laws. THIS is short sighted view
Of = very serious matter, but it is the view
OF congress.