Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-01-30
From Our Regular Correspondent
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Jan. &c. 81

| Congress must be commended for
industry again this week. 1t has done
various important work. The house OF
course is the more interesting end of The
capitol at the present time, and among
the first items on its record is the reTea!
of the iron clad oath, q relic Of war legis
lation. The action was proposed by Mr..
Cox of New York. 1t was passed by =
practically unanimous vote, and it is
probable congressman will all swear allk'
at the opening of The next session.
The house passed, by what was sub
stautially unanimous vote. there being
but eighteen dssentan S. Mr.. Holm tn :
resolutions regarding land 'raus. The
purport of which was th4t congress
thought all unearne land grants shall be
declared forfeited. 10 these was nd led a
declaration that all laws facilitating spec
ulation in public lands, or their acoumnla-
ion in large amounts in the hands of Il
few owners, should be repealed, and every
effort made TO secure as many freehoder>
as possible for agricultural land,
Another notable move was an attempt
to reduce the swarm of lobbyists thai
infests he floor Of he house under the
title OF ex-member. of congress. Rule
"a Of the house admits to the privileges OF
the floor ex.members who are not inter
ested in any claim or directly in any bill
pending before congress. This puts the
ex.member on his honor, and experience
proves, sad to say. that the honor of an
ex.congressman turned lobbyist is not 10
be trusted. 1t is even alleged that men
have sought an election to congress for the
sake of the superior footing which briet
service in The house would subsequent,
give them as "atorneys' for claims,
claimants, and special interests. Mr..
Anderson of Kansas offered this bill, and
it provides tor formal declaration by the
ex member OF his freedom from ubnyi NO
schemes before the speaker can issue HIM
a pass 10 the floor.
Another severe blow to pension claim
agents was dealt by Mr.. Morgan o.
Missouri in bill 10 prohibit the collection
of any part of their ten dollar fee before
lhe final settlement of the claim. Recent
exposures of the methods have seriously
curtailcd their business and if thi, provis-
ion becomes a law it will embarrass them
still fu Their. Under existing regulations
many dishonest claim agents contrive to
get the fee in advance and then let the
claim take care of itself
Among II number OF measures on the
calendar that were disposed of by the
house was bill passed for the relief oi
Lieut.. Greely's Arctic expedition, the
amount of money 10 be expended being
left 10 the discretion of The president.
Committees discussed banking and cur.
rency, pensions, railroad grants, terrific
rits, interstate commerce, and then the
pork question.
Tho Mexican treaty. which The senate
failed to rntify last Friday, came up again
brit fly. by a proposition from Senator Van
Wyck. that any further consideration Of
the subject be had in open session, on the
ground that the psople had right to
know all about the business transacted in
congress, and that secret sessions for
treaties was an old fogy idea. This
created quite dulter of disapproba,inn
and The Kansas senator WAS compelled To
withdraw his appeal The line for
ratification ofthe treaty has been ex ended
10 May and The matter will be thorcuehly
discussed in the meantime In spite OF
the mealy mouthed peace makers the
differences in the democratic party ARE
daily becoming more pronounced. Thu
majority oflhe ways and means committee
insist that the democrats must put them
selves on recold us f,voring II general
reduction of tariff. The democratic pro
tectienists insist that the tariff must be
let alone. On the eve of presidential
struggle. OF course the democrats Of ali
shades of tariff opinion will endeavor to
avoid contention. In convention where
words only are necessary, it will be easy
to construct a platform that will suit both
wings. But acts will speak. and that is
The democratic d ffi1ully. The fact cannot
be lodged that the party is in two openly
hostile sections.
The republican congressional committee
held its first meeting at the Arlington
Hotel this week, and effected permanent
organization, electing Gen. Joseph IIawley
Of Connecticut chairman. In general
&c of views, reports in regard to
the condition Of the party In the various