St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-04-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
APRIL 18th, 1884.

which was useless, but action was taker
on some important questions. The on
~ great measure that got through thu
Senate was the Educational bill, bu
because of the far-reaehing interests
which it involves, its passage makes tht
week In that end Of the Capitol. A.
amended and passed, it appropriates
477, 900 900, in aid of common schools ir
the States, to be expended through {
series Of eight years on the basis of il.
Iiteracy, as shown by the Census of 1880
A preliminary canvass of the vote oi
the House Of Representatives indicates
that the measure will become law.
The Senate next took up the Naval
appropriation and the body is disposed
TO take immediate steps towards arming
the sea-coasts and providing suita 5le
ships of war. After making considera-
Bile progress with the bill. the Senate
adjourned from Thursday until Monday
in homer TO Good Friday and Easter.
The House was too busy for holiday
making. 1t began to dispose of ques-
sions on Monday morning, and contin-
ned TO vote with intervals of debate nm
til Saturday afternoon. It expressed
itself in favor of retaining the whisky
tax; defeated the resolution restraining
the duty on wool, passed some meas
ares ia behalf of the Territories voted
Eavorabiy on some items of the public
buildings bill; disposed of some private
matters; declined to give Indians lands
in severalty, and finally became entan-
gted with the Pension bill, which cannot
he disposed Of hurriedly. Some fea-
9ures of the weeks debates we're free
trade speech by Congressman Hurd, fif-
81 thousand copies of which have al
ready been subscribed for; and Repre-
sentative Thompson's antagonism of
Ghe Public buildings bill, which he calls
the lOg-r0lling combination of Con-
gvess. In the course of bis remarks, he
eaid every man who gets public build
6ag in his districts thinks 1t is public
necessity, and it is so far as the Member
is concerned. 1t is something for him
10 ride back to Congress ON. He pro-
posed sarcasticalIy that JOINT resoiu-
Gion be passed giving every Member a
building in his District, ia the language
of Cakes Ames ito put where it will do
the most good.n Then, he added, all of
Is would be re-nominated, and all come
hack. Mr.. Burleieh asked if the gentle
man from Kentucky did not vote to re-
lieve the sufferers by the Ohio food.
Yes. replied Mr.. Thompson, / voted for
III ais matter Of charity. this is for
pEunder. Mr. Hatch asked il none of
these bills sgere fair, or legitimate. Mr..
Thompson Answered that he objected to
the combination forcing upon the House
City different public building bills one
after another, without regard to propri-
esg or necessity, making it the interest
af every Member who has one Of these
bills in charge, to sustain the general
scheme, in order that his own measure
1fay not fail. When asked by Mr.. Till
man il Members were not the best
judges as to the needs of the public SER
vice in their particular districts, he said
No, they are not. They are influenced
ay the prejudices and local interests of
their constituents. They are influence
ed By their own desire to secure some
thing TO which they can point as mon
aaaent of their ability, activity, energy,
and popularity, indispatable evidence
DC what was accomplished by them dur
ing their term of service
During the past week there was dis
play Of practical Republican politics in |
Washington. The riotous Republican |
for sending Delegates from
he District to Chicago assembled, and |
DaRdsmonium was let loose at Willard's |
Hall for seventeen hours, to the disgust
it all decent citizens. The proceedings
we're more worthy of a convention in
tie Feejee Islands than at the Capital /
# tho United States; but they faith
ally represented the element that
Ssald hold the balance of power here
d case Of universal suffrage. The re-
aarks Of certain Congressman who wit
leased tho scene was '.That puts a
luietus on the question of popular suf-
rage i'd Washington" Perfect harmo-
j and good order prevailed at the
Democratic primaries in striking con-
rsst to the disgraceful Republican
settings, and the convention meets for
hoosing two delegates to the National
eemOcratic Convention Tomorrow at