The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1882-02-09
WAsHINaToN, D. c.,
Feb. 2. 1882.

ECO. - 4SSS'
We have had the heaviest snow Of
the season during the last week, with
a few days sleighing and lively times
generally about the Capital. Con-
sress, 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 de-
feat. The Democratic Senators are,
with two or three exceptions, against
it. So, also, are Senators Plumb,
Window, and one or TWO others on
the Republican side. The Democrats
favor three per cent. bond with the
provisions of the Vest amendment,
but the Sherman bill does not reach
the banks and is a measure Of little
consequence. The House is very slow
in getting at the new apporsionment,
but it is apparent that the member
ship of that body will be increased.
The majority Of the Census Com
mittee favor 320 as the number of
members, aud on this basis the repre-
sentation of tWenty-one States will be
increased and that of FIVE States de-
creased. The present number of
Representatives is 293 and it is very
much to be regretted that no plan for
a reduction finds favor among the
members. Outsiders who know any
thing abont it ali agree that the best
interests of the country would be
served by. decrease. The House as
now constituted is often little better
than a. mob. To add 27 members is
to add to the ineficiency, confusion,
and non-productiveness Of the body
which holds the purse-striugs Of the
Nation. Nobody knows this better
than the members themselves, but
they are 10th to decrease their own
chances of reelection 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 commu-
nication for the Commissioner relative
to the amount Of appropriation re.
quired annually for the next twenty
i've years. Upon the basis assumed,
Mr.. Dudley estimates the amount for
that period, ending with 1906, at
81, ,245, ,651 ,5S3, the annual appro.
priation growing gradually less, from
s62, 100000 this year to S2S, 900. 900
at the end of the twenty-five years.
congressman Farwell, of Illinois, pro-
poses a plan for the detection Of
frauds upon the Pension Bureau
which consistsiof publishing the name
Of pensioners. and posting them in
some conspicuous place in each dis
Irict. The Commissioner of Pensions
proposes to ferret out in another
way those who may be fradulcntly on
the rolls. His idea to employ four or
1--WE hundred clerks for two or three
years, and set them to work insesti
eating into the history of each pen.
sioner.' It is possible that Congress
may adopt this suggestion. It pos
sesses the great merit of calling for a
big appropriation of 100000 per
year, and of providing places for a
good many more political favorites.
Mr.. Farwelps method, however, is
,heaper and better in every way. The
bogus pensioners are pretty certain to
be detected as soon as their names are
printed Publication would have the |
effect Of enlisting every citizen in the
service Of the Government as detee-
i've to ascertain who are drawing
money illegally from the Treasury.
One the largest enterprises asking !
;he attention of Congress is Capt.
Eads' iuter.oceanic ship railway across
he Isthmus. l have not examined
nto the merits Of his plan but if it is
practicable it would possess one ad-
'antage over the DeLesseps' scheme in
hat it contemplates placing the enter.
rise wholly under American control.
speaking abou, big things I saw
'esterdsy one Of the brass medals got
en- up for the famous 306 who stood
y Grant at Chicago. It weighs about
pound. They have just been dis
rsbuted and if Mr.. David Monst, at
GETS his he Rill be the