San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-01-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
lFrom Our Regular cOrrespOndsni,l
WASHINGTON Jan. IA. 1884.

The first week in Congress aftel
the Christmas holidays, was marked
by the presentation of n large mum
Dor of bills. Important progress wal
made with work in the various com
mittees. Some speeches relating u
the tariff were delivered in the Sen
ate. Senator Cullom, of Illinois, made
an anti-polygamy speech upon which
he was heartily congratulated by botl
Democratic and Republican Senators
A bill was passed appropriating 81,
900, 900 for the improvement OF tho
Mississippi river. In the debate OF
the Mississippi river bill Senator
Plumb of Kansas threw out a sug
gestion that may be worth consider
ing. He thinks there shouldnot only
be continuous lines of levees on both
sides, but that they should be sur
mounted by railroads to keep them in
repair.
Senator Hill of Colorado has sug-
oested O. bill for the erection OF build
ings by the United States Govern
ment in every town, city, and village
with a population of not less than
one thousand. The scheme Is o he
roic remedy for the relief of the obese
and dyspeptic U. S. Treasury. Put
ting the costof convenient and sub
stantial building, including land, at
On average of ten thousand dollars,
the bill calls for an expenditure OF
about twenty millions of dollars. No
money could be more wisely expend-
ed. More than the interest on such
sum is now disbursed for rent, and
in large number Of places the post
office accommodations are shabby and
inconvenient, and derogatory to the
character of the government. Wher-
ever the Federal Government comes
in contact with the people, not only
should the official be respectable, but
his surroundings such Us to inspire
and secure the respect of the people.
Other Senators and Representatives
have introduced bills providing for
the erection of large number OF
public buildings in different parts of
the country. Senator Morgan OF
Alabama remarked in q speech last
week: "We have now reached a point
when we have a rich government and
a poor people. While the people are
crying out for relief from taxation,
Congressman are taxing their inge-
nuity to find ways and means to spend
their surplus revenues"
The commerce committee have at
once tackled Chairman Reagan's fa-
vorite measure, the interstate COM
merce bill, and set apart week from
January 24th, for debate upon its
merits by outside parties. The rail
road men will be heard first, and then
persons whose interests are antago-
nistic to the roads. These discus
sions, have in the past, brought first
class talent to the committee rooms,
and been of educational service to
the country, if barren thus far in leg
islation. Tie railroads put forward
their best spokesman, such as Mr.
McVeagh for the Pennsylvania, Mr.
Depew for the Central, Commission
CT Fink, and Mr.. Blanchard; while
the anti-railroad forces are led, gene
rally, by Mr.. Thurber Thus far the
railroads have succeeded in postpon
ing all legislation distasteful to them
that Judge Reagan proposes; bu'
that gentleman does not lose heart
and with greater freedom in commit
tee and sympathetic House he may
be able this winter, to send his long
delayed bill to the Senate. Its chanc
es there, however, are not very good
There has been much talk during
the week of discord in the Democrat
ic ranks, but on many points there II
substantial accord, and on some o
those points its policy has been clear
ly foreshadowed. It is altogether
improbable that the affirmative legis-
lation asked for by the national bank
will be granted or that the coinage
of silver dollars will be stopped
Appropriations will be cut down t.
the lowest notch. No appropriation
for new ships of war or foran increas'
of the naval force will be made. !
vigorous effort will be made to reviv
American commercial shipping. Lit
tie mercy will be shown to raiiroa'
corporations. There will be litera
construction of land grants, and whet
the terms Of the grant have not bee
complied with they will be forfeited