The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-03-10
Our Washington Letter.


Our Washington Letter.
JFEoN Qua SPECIAL CoRREsroNDENT.l
WAsRINoToN, d. c., March 3, 1893.
The Forty-seventh Congress has just
completed its lsbors. On Resembling
for its second session the majority in the
Forty-sevruth Congress was at frat in an
humble and contrite spirit, and disposed
to do almost anything to llacnte public
sentiment. 1t WAS while in this mood
that, as sLrewd party stroke, ii passed
the Pendloton civil.service reform bill,
though little NppreUiAting its provisions
and in sentiment hostile to it. Other
measures ef general legislation so far
passed in the second session of the For
ty-seventh Congress are the bills to re-.
trrn to Japan the Japanese indemnity
fund, 10 encourage the holding of cot
ton exposition and to regulate the tax on
perique tobacco. The long deferred tar
If and internal revenue tax reduction
bill, after much debate, revision and re-
revivision in the fouth degree still re-
mains in doubt, and the prospect of its
passage in q shape that will commend it
to the taxpayer may be regarded as ex-
ceedingly slight. The agricultural de-
pnrtment, consular and diplomatic ser
vice, Indian military academy, fortifica.
tions, legislative, judicial and executive
and pension bills haye been enacted.
OF the other appropriation bills, the ar.
my bill, and the post Office bill are in
conference committee, while the District
of Columbia and the naval bills have
passed both Houses and await agreement
in respect TO amendments made in the
Senate.
A survey of the whole field reveals the
fact that, despite its long debates, the
Senate aecomplishes more in given
limo than the House. The latter body
has accomplished little beyond maturing
the appropriation bills. There is one
thing to be said to the credit of the Con-
gress now expiring, that less than any of
| i's predecessors for many years has it
permitted its deliberations to be inter
rupted and disgrAced by sectional vitup-
ertion and profitless debates on dead is
SUES. OF the second session of Congress
it may be said that hardly an instance
can be cited in which the bloody shirt
was waved. Tue minds of members,
even when their opinions we're of ques.
tionablo value, were occupied almost
wholly with economic topics the proper
business of legislators.
Tre list of persons on the pension rolls
called for 10y the Senate reached that
body this afternoon. 1! took large ex-
press wagon to carry the manuscript.
The question Of printing the list is now
under advisement There are about
three hundred thousand names. 1t will
cost, it is said, about $50 600 to print the
list. It has been suggested that Il copy
he sent to each post office, containing
the names of the pensioners of the city
and caunty in which the post-office is
situated, AID that it be posted up. 1t is
thought that in this way many of those
now iraudulently drawing pensions will
be exposed and the money now paid them
saved by the Government.
Jay Hubboll has been giving testimony
in regard to the amount Of money raised
by his committee last year for campaign
purposes. He says the aggregate was
two hundred and sixty thousand dollars,
and that the executive committee had
approved his accounts he very judicious-
! Iy burned them up. While this was un-
d)ubtedly wise step as far rs Mr.. Hub
bell was concerned, there are people who
will be ready to insinuate that thief or
emb. Zzler would have done the sans
thing. Mr., Hu6boll probably mourus
the enormous waste of money by this
time. 1t didn't help the Republican
party one bit. exceut to add the weight
which dragged it down. 1t would have
swelled BeGouin bank account hand
somely, Yes, il accomplished one thing
it defeated Ferry AS Senator from Mich
gan Rud elected Palmer. AUGUST