South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-02-10
Lctter from Washington.
Ifson on, Regular Correspondent. ]
WASHINGTON. d G.. Feb {

We have had the heaviest snow of
the season during the last week, with
few days sleighing and lively times
generally about the Capital. Con.
gress, too, is finally doing something
IN the way Of business. The three
per cent. bond measure, which has
been under discussion in the Senate.
now stands a fair chance of defeat.
The Democratic Senators are, with
two or three exceptions against it. So.
also, are Senators Plumb, Window,
and one or two others on the Repub.
llcan side. The Democrats favor q
three per cent. bond with the proyis-
ions OF the Vest amendment, but the
Sherman bill does not reach the banks
and iaameasure Of little consequence.
The House is very slow in getting at
the new apportionment, but it is ap.
parent that the membership Of that
body Will be increased. The MAORI
lty or the Census Committee favor
$40 as the number OF members, and
on this basis the representation of 81
States will be increased and that of
five States decreased. The present
number of Representatives is 293 and
1t is very much TO be regretted that
no plan Tor reduction finds favor a.
mong the members Outsiders who
know anything about it all agree that
the best interests of the country would
be served By decrease. The House
rs now constituted is often little bet.
ter than u mob. TO add q members
Is TO add TO the inefficiency, confusion.
and prOductiveness OF the body
which holds the purse-strings of the
Nation. Nobody knows this better
than the members themselves, but
they are 10th TO decrease their own
chances OF re election by reducing the
number of districts in their States
| They hope rather TO increase them By
adding on a district or two.
Pension matters have attracted
some attention lately. The President
sent TO Congress this week n com.
munlcation for the Commissioner re-
lative to the amount OF appropriation
required annually for the next twen-
ty-tive years. Upon tie basis assum.
ell, lir. Dudly estimates the amount
for that period, ending with 1905. at
81 ,347, 65l 1913, the annual appropria-
ton growing gradually less, from
S62 600, 600 this year to $23, OOO.0 900
at the end Of the twenty-five years.
Congressman Farwell, of Iliino.s,
proposes u plan for the detection OF
frauds upon the Penaion Bureau
which consists OF publishing the names
OF pensioners and posting them in
some conspicuous place in each dis
tlict The commissioner of Pensions
| proposes for TO ferret out in another
way those who may be fraudulentlv
on the rolls. His idea ia to employ
four or five hundred clerks for two
or three years, and set them to work
investigating into the history Of each
| pcnsoner. 1t is possible that Con.
gress may adopt this suggestion. 1t
possesses the great merit OF calling tor
a big appropriation of eight hQndred
thousand dollars per year, and OF
providing places for q good many
more political favoritcs. MIR. Far
wells method, however, is cheaper
and better in every way. Che bogus
pensioners are pretty certain to be
detected "a soon % their names are
printed. Publication would have the
effect OF enIistirg every citizen in the
service OF the Government ~ a de-
tective 10 ascertain who are drawing
money illegally from the Treasury.
One of the largest enterprises ask.
ing the attention of Congress is Can't.
Eads' inter oceanic chip railway A.
crOss the Isthanue. | have not ex.
amined into the merits Of his plan but
if ii is practicable it would possess one
advantage over the DcLesseps' scheme
in that it conicmpates placing the en-
terprise wholly under American con.
troll. Speaking about big things; |
saw yesterday one OF the brass medals
gotten up for the famous 30G who
stood by Grantat Chicago. 1t weighs
about a pound. They have inst been
distributed and if Mr.. David Monat.
OF Philadelphia, gets his he will be
the first mau on record who had the
honor Of being decorated with an
order and at the same occupying "a
cell in a penitentiary. 1t is under
stood that when q man with one of
the SOC gev.Raws dangling at bis
bosouG presents himself at the White
House, he will be promptly taken to
the back kitchen and givon sip from
hr. Arthur's private bottle of cherry
bounce.
Strangers in tho city who come here
TO enjoy themselves and see the sights
complain OF the du.Iuess Of society
chiefly because there has been nothing
going on at the White House; but
among the babitutcs OF q select social
circle there has been no end ofeuioy-