The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-02-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.


WAsHlyGroS, Feb. II, 1882.
The debates in the House and
Senate are, at present, somewhat te-
dion- and uDexciting. The reap
portionment Of Congress, made nee
essary BY the new census, is not a
question that draws popular atten-
ton. Nor does the $500, ,oO0,Oo0
prodigali,y, now discussed CT post
facto. do more than excite feeling
of remorse that we should have Civ
en- such an immense sum into the
management of claim agents. Be-
yond the passage of the funding bill,
little business Of importance has
been transacted in the Senate dur
ing the week. This bill is now in
the hands OF he Ways and Means
Committee OF he House, where it is
meeting with much opposition. 1t
is evident that it will not he report
ed back 10 the Senate, until it has
been amended so that Mr.. sherman
will not knowit.
In the House, Mr.. Burrows intro
duced bib. which was promptly
passed. providing that no person
guilty Jf having more than one wife
shall be eligible TO the office of dele
gate in the House of Representa-
lives from territory. This bill
was leveled at Mr. George Q. Can
non, Mormon with considerably
more than one wife, who has long
been the delegate from Utah in Con-
gress. During the week, Mr. Can
non was called before the judiciary
Committee OF the House, and asked
many questions relative TO the So
cial and marital status of his core
ligionis.s in Utah. Some Of his re-
plies were not suitable for publica-
ton. but, among other curious state
ments, he said that spiritual mar
riage. in the belief Of the Later
Day Saints" meant that no woman
could attain Heaven unless married
to Mormon on earth. He eexpress-
Ell his belief that the principles and
practices of the Mormon church
would finally spread over the whole
earth, and that the present persecu-
ton of the church by the United
States could have no other effect
than to solidify the organization,
and increase the zeal of its communi-
cants for doctrines which they earn
estly believed to be revelations from
God. With reference to the bill be-
fore the Judiciary Committee pre-
venting polygamists from voting or
holding office, Mr.. Cannon said it
would he more equitable il amend
ed so as to disfranchise, and disqual-
ify, all offenders against the laws
OF chastity and single marriage.
The enormous number Of four
thousand bills have been introduce
ed in the House, and there is little
/ prospect of an early termination of
this Congress. Many Senators and
Members believe that the session
will last until the middle of July,
or until the heat and malaria shall
drive Congress TO more healthful To-
calities.
The tariff, funding, and appropri-
alton bills will be debated at cen
sideral length, but only few Of the
thousands Of bills Introduced viii
be heard from again. 4 very deter
mined effort will be made by the
friends of ihis forlofn District to i'm
prove tue Potomac marshes, with a
view OF suppressine the malaria
which effects everything here, not
excepting legislation. The District
OF Columbia is an oligarchy, govern
ed by Congress and the President.
Her citizens have no votes, and no
influence. Congress is chameleon
that seldom reflects the color of the
Capitol. The personel OF Congress
/ is continually changing, and, like
nonresident landlords, they are more
interested in improving the nayiga-
ton Of the rivulets Of their own
homes, than in the sanitary condi-
ton OF this fountain Of laws. This
/ is short sighted view of very Sc
rious matter, but tits the view of
Congress.