Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1884-02-07
FORTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS.
THE HOUSES HOSTILITY TO LAND
GRANT RAILROADS.

Tho Lobby and Ex-Membersstheir Rights
to the Floor Discussed---The Iron Clad
Oath Abelishsd---N. c. Notes.
(SpeciM Correspondence Of the SentinelO
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 20, 1884.
-Overshadowing in Importance other
matters in the hostility shown by the
House to land grant Railroads,
through the almost unanimous adop-
ton of the Holman resolution, which
is comprehensive measure for restor-
ing to the public domain all those vast
tracts of land donated to railroads, in
cases where the roads have not met
the conditions of the grant. The ma
jority vote was overwhelming, 251 to
Is and may be accepted as the decla
ration of a fixed policy for the future.
1t dates the failure of a gigantic
scheme to plumber the government
and signifies the restoration of many
millions of acres of valuable land to
the rightful ownership. Mr.. Holman
made this subject special study last
summer and the resolution is based on
his personal observations. Another
movement in the direction of reform,
was blow struck at ex-members of
Congress who have abused the privi-
leges of the floor for lobbying purpos
es Mr.. Anderson, of Kansas offered
a resolution requiring ex-members be-
fore being admitted to the hall floor,
to obtain from the Speaker an order
which shall be issued only to the ex-
member declaring he is not interested
in any corporation or person having
pecuniary interest in the defeat or
passage of a measure before Congress
or the committees, and pledglng that
while the House is in session he will
not communicate with any person
having an interest in legislation. Vio-
lating this pledge the ex-member will
forever be deprived Of the privileges
of the floor. At times the chamber
swarms with ex-members some of
whom have not been in Congress for
years. Others were members OF the
forty-seventh Congress, and nearly all
of them are lobbyists, or attorneys
for this or that special interest sugar,
whiskey, claims, and jobs great and
small. Having learned the ways of
legislation in former years, they easily
convince clients of the value of their
services on the floor, and the impu-
dence of this class is appalling. Moth
ing short of an iron-clad oath will cure
this evil, of which every honest Con
gresham has cause to complain.
Speaking of an iron-clad oath re-
minds me that the House of Repre-
sentatives has repealed the "iron clad
oath. As the confederate record of a
man in no way disqualifes him fol
service as a legislator, it was too alb
surd to retain on the status books two
sets of oaths, one designed to keep out
of office persons who had engaged il
rebellion, and the other framed ex
pressly to let them in. Mr.. Cox, O.
New York spoke lengthily in favor Of
the movement as one in accord will
the times; but the bill would have
come with more grace from the Re
publican side of the aisle.
Indications are that the Democratic
leaders propose to move very slowl
and cautiously in formulating tarif
legislation. They do not think thu
Senate would pass, or the Presiden
approve any measure materially re
ducing existing duties. Therefore they
want to steer between two points Q.
danger; not alarming the East no
discouraging the West. They realiz
the narrowness of this channel, bu
they trust the skill of their pilots.
Judge Bennett has introduced
bill to prevent the inter marriage o
the white and negro race in the Dis
trict of Columbia, and of which the Ney
York World witty says, can abl.
Representative from North Carolin
yesterday introduced. in the House
bill interdicting the marriage of white
and blacks in the District of Colum
bia. This is evidently aimed at Ere,
Douglass, who will probably not wan
to marry again during the presen
century"
Gen. Cox has introduced a resolu
tion providing for the election of Sen
tors by the qualified voters of eacl
State which was read first an,
second time, referred to the Committe
ON the Judiciary, and ordered to b
printed.
!. DIR. Tyre York also introduced
bill to pay John K. Hauser, of Vac
kin County, s4O0 for property take
for the use of the United States Army
which was read first and second time
referred to the Committe on Wa
Claims and ordered to be printed.
Forsyth.