The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-01-19
Our Washington Letter.
From our Regular Correspondence

From our Regular Correspondent
A lively scene was presented in the
Capitol last Monday, upon tie reas-
sembling of Congress, after two weeks
recess. There was great activity sug-
gestive of the commencement of the
work of a busy session. The floor of
the House was crowded with visitors,
before the session opened, and many
members were at their desks at an ear
ly hour with numerous bills to be pre-
scented on the call of the States. There
was general hand shaking and in
terchange Of the compliments of the
season among members who had been
away during the HOLIDAYS.
AT the very beginning it is evident
there will not be perfect harmony in1
the ranks Of either party upon the i'm
portant cushions, which will call for
their consideration during the session.
1t IL said that the Democrats of the
Ways and Means committee will not
act in accord on the tariff question,
the result of which will be prolonged
fight on the floor of the House. Mr..
Hewitt, it is thought, will maintain
his views to the last, and will have
enough followers in the committee to
hold the balance of power. The fight
will probably be continued to the end
of the session without anything being
done. In view of this Mr. Randall is
hurrying to get all of the appropria-
ton bills before the House, and to dis
pose Of other important business as
soon as possible, and he may use the
privilege Of the Appropriations COM
mittee to interrupt long discussion.
These and various other matters, pro-
mise material for session of intense
interest and Of great Importance.
Nearly fourteen hundred bills were
introduced in the House during the
week. Among those of local import
ance was one granting the Cable Rail-
way company right of way for the
construction of street cable railways in
this city. Another was for granting
pensions to the soldiers and sailors of
the late war who had served thirty
days, or were in any engagement, and
to the widows of all deceased soldiers.
Mr. Townshend of Illinois, introduced
a Joint resolution for a Constitutional
Amendment providing for the election
Of United States Senators by the peo-
pie. Gen. Browne, of Indiana, offered
a bill in retaliation of the French and
German prohibition of the American
hog. 1t briefly provides that when
any foreign government shall prohibit
the importation of American food or
other products, the President shall
proclaim a prohibition Of some article
of prominence, which we buy of the
particular country. Mr.. Townshend
presented similar bill on the tenth
of last month, which has since been
commented on in the French assembly
and Partisan papers. Both of these
gentlemen represent large pork pro-
ducing districts, and therefore take
deep interest in this raid upon pro
duct of SO much importance to their
constituents.
Gen. Browne presented bill max
ing it a crime subject to fine and pen
atty, to mail, or cause to be mailed,
any letter, postal card, pamphlet,
newspaper, or other document con-
tanning anything concerning a lottery.
The committee on Indian affairs,
which held its first meeting Monday
has some grave problems to solve dur
ing the present session. Under exist
ing treaties, the tribes will tolerate ne
encroachments upon their territories.
Civilization, advancing with the rail
roads, is infringing so rapidly upon
the reservations of the Northwest, that
trouble is sure to ensue unless some
satisfactory policy is settled upon.
One important question with which the
committee will have to deal will be
whether the tribal organizations shall
be cautioned, or whether the savages
shall be put upon the basis of ordin-
airy settlers, so much land being &C.
corded each man of proper age. Mr..
Finnerty of Chicago, member of this
committee, who has spent much time
among the scalpers of the plains, is
expected to throw light upon the diff
cult problem.
| Several Indian tribes from New
Mexico are in the city interviewing
the Secretary of the Interior in regard
to the affairs of their agencies. Some
of them claim to have been defrauded
through erroneous surveys; others
want to talk about their appropria-
tons, while others are asking permits
sion to return to the old reservation in
northern New Mexico, which the Sec
retarv refused to allow. Speaking of
Indian matters reminds me, that
new attraction to sight seers has just