Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-03-14
From our regular correspondent.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D. c., March 10, 's3

washington, ID. u, Marcn III, 50.
Statesmen have been taking their
flight from Washington every day since
Congress adjourned until now few are
left Many of the departed are gen.
tlemen Of great weight, but as Presi-
dent Lincoln once remarked concerning
a delegation of heavy men from a GER
tain metropolis who called on him,
"the district does not tip up as they
move away" Some of them will be
back in the fall, but more will conclude
that private ;"tonnsts don,end undi~id
ed attention in their native townships.
AS usual the closing scenes of the Con-
gressional session, 50 far as the house
was concerned, were uproarous and
noisy. The proverbial willingness of
the house to be amused was amply
illustrated by the ''peals of laughter"
that greeted even the feeblcst attempts
at wit and humor. The antagonism to
the whiskey bill and resolution to adj
NIT a colorcd man to seat to which
he laid claim, afforded infinite amuse-
ment to the house of representatives,
loud outlaws greeting the frequent sal
lies of alleged wit which the dead lock
provoked. In the midst of this wild
legislative orge was brought the news
Of Alexander II. Stephens death, and
the customary resolutions honoring his
memory. Then there was more laugh
ter and jocoseness, and the platitudes
Of Speaker Keifer fell like lead upon
the over-stimulated kilarity of the occa-
sion. The senate. more deliberative,
dignifed, and sedate in manner, ad-
journed decorously and without confu-
sion. The demise of Congress is no
great sight. 1t is witnessed once in
every two years. Nevertheless, this
event, as often before, was an occasion
for the thronging of the capitol by
vast multitude of Washington people
who devoured with greedy ears and
eyes everything that was said and
done. One of the happiest thoughts
in connection with the departure Of
Congress is that the country is rid of
Keifer, the instrument placed in the
speakers chair through corrupt bar
gain between Robson, Don Cameron,
and the administration. 1t will be
long time before another of his coarse
and contemplate qualities occupies the
position he has disgraced.
During the Congress, whose exist
ence has just now terminated, 10,670
bills and joint resolutions have been.
introduced, of Which S,01S originated
in the house and 1852 in the senate.
1t is hardly necessary to say that
large majority of these measures have
fallen still-born. The greater proper
ton of them remain with the commit
tees to which they were respectfully
referred. Of the bills reported to the
two houses of Congress, the larger part
remained on the calendars when the
session ended. These are dead be-
yond resurrection. During the session
Just now concluded 1889 bills and
Joint resolutions were introduced; and
i may give the casual observer some
notion of the proportion which schemes
Of law bear to accomplished Legislation
o learn that only 163 of this number
passed both houses and received the
signature of the President. A great
many important bills have failed, be.
ny left in various stages of completion.
Among these are the French spoilation
laims bills; the bill to limit the coin.