The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1882-12-23
QUA WASHINGTON LETTER,
REGULAR CORRESPONDENCE.

WASHINGTON Dec. lit is re-
frcshing to see the YIN and alacrity
with which Congress is addressing il
self to business. The session is only
two weeks old, but already more leo
islative and committee work has been
accomplished than is usually transact
ed before the holiday adjournment.
This congress is setting an example,
and making a precedent which the
people and the press will no doubt
hold up for the emulation of future
Congresses, and the opinion is gaining
that, after all has been said congress
may not be totally depravcd.
The Democrats in congress held
caucus yesterday III which it was
agreed to oppose the admission Of
Dakoka as q state, and conference
committee relative to the business of
the session was appointed. The Re
publicans have as yet held no caucus,
but there have been frequent inform
al discussions of the political situation
by Republican leaders There is an
evident Improvement in the Republi-
can situation since the beginning Of
the session, attributable to the Presi-
dents message, action in the Star
Route cases, and to the business like
action of congress.
The house of Representatives is
making "a Did Roadway with the ap-
preparation bills. During the week
three were reported, viz: For the post
office department., the agricultural
bill, and the Military Academy bill.
Two CT the appropriation bills have
already passed the House, viz: The
Indian and the Consular and Diplo-
matte bills.
Although there is a good deal Of
unanimity among members Of congress
touching the reduction Of letter post
age to two cents, there is wide differ
ence Of opinion as to when it should
90 into effect. Some favor the first OF
July, next, and many others the first
Of January, 1881. The item of reduced
postage which is Incorporated in the
post Office bill, will be passed without
doubt, the only question being as to
the best time to haye it 90 into effect.
The Democrats, it Is believed, Will
interpose obstacles towards the pass
age Of legislation having for its object
real civil service reform, for the reason
that the next House being Democrat
ic they wish to postpone action SO that
they can shape legislation to meet
their ends, and have the spoils where
with to reward their friends and pun
ish their enemies. In the Senate, on
Thursday, there was discussion on
the the civil service reform bill offered
by Mr.. Pend!eton, Of Ohio, at the last
session. Mr.. Pendlcton in his remarks
on the bill spoke earnestly in favor Of
| it, and it would seem that he (although
Democrat is honestly striving for its
passage this session. But the MAORI
ty Of his Democratic colleagues, among
them Seators VOORHEES,, Of Indiana.
and Brown, of Georgia, prefer so wait
as they say, until they have chance
to reform the Offices" This means
literally, to postpone legislation until
the offices have been filed with Dem
ocrats. when they will then cooperate
with the Republicans to enact laws to
keep the Democratic Office holders
from Republican invasion.
The National Library bill has been
again defeated, it may be for years
and it may be forever. There is more
than one side to the library question.
! There is an accumulation Of more than
100000 volumes, some on the shelves,
many on the floor, awaiting the grace
Of spontaneous combustion. Mr. Spaf-
ford, the erudite librarian has been
clamoring for place to put his books
and the small percentage Of " literary
fellows sent to congress have echoed
Mr.. Spoford's clamor But there are
other congressman not affected with
bibliophilism who would like to play
the part of the monks in the Alexand-
rian library and burn the trash. Then
there is a Job in the business. A real
estate ring wants to sell q situation to
the government, while in truth The
government has more situations in the
| District than it can sit on. The prop
er place for the library is on Govern
ment ground in close proximity to
those other scientific collections, the
Smithsonian Institute and the Nation
al Museum.