Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-02-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.
LrDm our Regular Correspondent. ]

From our Regular oorrespondeni.l
WASHINGTON, Feb. A, 1884.
Besides reclaiming several forfeited land
grants by this Congress, important legisla-
tion is called for on the Indebtedness 10 the
United States by the Pacific railroads,
which have received subsidies amounting,
on the first day of July last, to Sl02 376,-
3l2. Under the provisions of what is known
Ms the Thurman net, twenty-five per cent.
OF the net earnings OF each road is applied
to the payment of its debt. This will leave
the eight principle companies indebted to
the United States. when these bonds be-
come due, at least SIS 900, 900; and attempts
will be made 10 force the railroads this
winter to accept some scheme for the pay
ment of this debt, or for giving security
that il will he paid. Senator Edmunds
has taken the matter in hand, and, al
though the railroad companies virtually
own good many men here in Washing
ton, they cannot escape his relentless de-
termination. The insolence Of these cor.
porations is amazing, They defy the acts
of Congress and the whole power of the
Government, setting their own pleasure as
the full measure OF tbeir liability; but
there are signs tha, this sort of thing will
have to end before long. The lobby main
tanned by them here is very strong, but
gradually losing its grip. One OF these
lobbyists has an attractive daughter, who
goes into society and extends civiltics to
the wives aud daughters of members, while
he gives them lunches and good liqner.
Another first class lobbyist is renowned as
a poker player, aud never hesitates about
losing few hundred dollars when he de.
sires TO ingrnliste himself with the winner,
Since the adoption OF resolution by the
Senate giving each Senator a clerk, Mem
bers OF the House have been discussing the
prorriety of allowing themselves secretar.
les also. But while nearly every Member
is really IN favor OF the proposition, few
would dare to vote for it, because as one
Representative said to-day, 1t would be
fatal TO their future prospects. 1t would
result similarity 10 the salary grab of ten
years ago. The people at home do not un.
derstand the matter in its true light. To
them a clerk for every Congressman would
seem great piece of extravaganza at pub.
lie expense. They think a Member of Con
gress has almost nothing to do but 10 draw
his pay and attend TO the little requests
which they have 10 make of them. When
one constituent writes making some re
Quest which will probably occupy an hour
or two of the Members time, lie does not
realize that pei haps fifty others in the dis
trict are doing the same thing at the same
time, and that every Congressman receives
from twenty five to thirty letters per day
, which not only have TO be answered, but
, which often require trips to some of the
, departments for certain information, etc
, So great are the demands upon Members
in this way, that if they attended to all
: correspondence properly they must neglect
their legislative duties and committee work
;, 1t would really be ecan1my on the par, o
the people TO allow each Representative q
+, clerk to answer his letters and attend ts
these minor duties while he looked af,el
and Informed himself concerning publ,
interests aud the various questions upor
which he is required to vote. There won |,
LII, b., l.so ,lytu 81