Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-04-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.

Ao we dppIOdCu IU6 idJOcI tuu VI
the session of Congress it is possible
to esteem its probable results. Two
of the large schemes which have
been extensively canvassed may be
said to have practically failed. for
the present session at least-the new
navy and steamship subsidy. And
it is safe to predict that the gigantic
scheme of Capt. Eads will meet with
no better fate in the end, though
there has been what Mr.. Tilden
would call futile dalliance" on
the part of committees in both
houses. The naval scheme, which
involved the expenditure of sixty
million dollars in the construction
of six steel ships of war, was evolv.
ed from the fertile brain of Mr.
Robson and was to have been car
ried out by Mr.. Chandler. But the
Democrats lost faith in the thing
after Chandler became Secretary.
because the latter is a pretty stiff
politician, and the political posi-
bilities that could be carved out of
$50, 000, 900 rather paralyZed them.
1t was common rumor as early as
December that the Naval Commit
tee would be made up with view
to a liberal expenditure for ships
and that Robson would be the con-
trolling force. Because of this I'M
Outstanding and harmonious results
that followed in the election of
Kiefer there was great joy in the
lobby, and every ship-yard has been
lavishly represented in anticipation
of the good things to come. But
the jig is up for the present.
People throughout the country
who receive public document oc-
casionally from some member of
Congress have very little idea of the
amount of money expended annually
to carry on the Government Printing
Office, or the vast amount Of printed
matter turned off the presses of that
establishment. There was some sen.
sible talk in the Senate one day last
week ON that subject, pending the
discussion of deficiency appropria-
ton. The amount called for was
$450,000. Senator Beck wanted to
know what the demand for this large
sum meant. Two millions and a
half had been spent already during
the fiscal year, and recently an ur-
gency bill for $250,000 was under
consideration, which the Printing
Committee vetoed, and now the de-
mand reappeared increased to nearly
half million. 1t really seemed as
if Congress would print everything
that anybody asked for. There was
the census, which would not be PRINT
ed for years, as it WAS proposed To
print everything written for it, aud
the prospect was that they womb
not get a compendium until 1888.
The illustrations for the agricultural
report for 1880 cost 5000, and the
whole work was very costly, yet In
distribution it was virtually thrown
away. 1.-THE amount of trash which
this Government prints" said ne,
would break any government in
the world but this. OF course, you
can't break this Government" Mr..
Anthony protested that the Commit.
tee on Printing was regulated by
statute. "Oh, no." answered Mr..
Beck, II hold Congress responsible
l hold myself responsible. Con-
deming the tendency to print all
sorts of things, he said, looking at
the printed calendar Here We have
a proposition to print a report of the
trial of the murderer of James A
Garfield-God knows how many co
pies. The next thing we shall be
asked to print will be the trial of
Mason, with ID fine engraving of Bet
ty and the baby" MIR. Hawley sup
plemented Mr.. Beck's remarks by
speaking of the lack of appreciation
of works issued by the Government,
the agricultural reports, which cost
so cents, being offered for sale at 10,
while other works were disposed of
at alike sacrifice. Mr.. Hoar declar
ed that most of the documents print
fine 4