Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-05-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
l.eaoIAl onas.r0sDnsol orrHr aonlron.l
Washington. 4April 29M.

subjects. Among them may be men
toned pensions, pleuro-pneumonia,
bankruptcy, more money for the navy,
the repeal of the statute limiting the
tenure of office, and measures affect
ing the laboring classes. The latter
question in connection with the bill
which was passed for creating bu-
reau of labor statistics, proved
fruitful subject for speech making, a
number Of members urging that ia
vorite claim of demagogues, that the
government is disposed to discrimi-
nate against the workingman's rights.
Representative Hopkins of Pennsyl-
vania, an earnest advocate of the bill,
made some remarks that were we'll re-
ceived He said some spasmodic and
feeble effolts had been made to sup
ply this want, and that theories would
continue to he advocated and contro-
verted until some well established
touchstone could be applied, which
would crystalize them into facts or
dispel them as dreams. In asking for
the passage of this bill he said he was
speaking in behalf of over ten mill
lions of laborers in this country who
were anxiously watching these pro-
ceedings. This house of representa-
tives had shown a disposition to atone
for neglect by creating committee
TO consider all matters pertaining to
labor. This recognition, he claimed,
had been gratefully appreciated, and
the eyes of the tOilers were turned to
congress with an earnest hope and
expection that their welfare would be
thoughtfully considered. The orator
did not expect this measure to be a
panacea for the ills that afflict the la
boring man; but thought it would en-
able congress to obtain that knowl-
edge of their situation which is es-
sential to any just legislation in their
interest.
Representative Blout, of Georgia,
objected to that clause of the bill,
which proposes to make inquiries into
the sanitary, educational, social and
religious condition of the laboring
classes, and asked by what authority
inquiry could be made about the re-
ligious condition of any citizen, and
Mr.. Hopkins replied that it was done
through the census bureau. Congress-
man Fielder of New Jersey, speaking
in behalf Of the measure said expert
ence had taught him that the ballots
of successful candidates had scarcely
been counted ere their memory failed
them and they neglected to carry out
the pledges which were made during
the campaign to seduce the men of
toll to elevate them into office. This
bill has already been placed on the
senate calendar and Senator Blair
will call it up at an early day.
Of course there has been due
amount of tariff talk during the week,
and night sessions are devoted en-
tirely to the subject, in order to eX-
pedite the debate, which would be in
terminable unless limited to a GER
tain time, as is proposed. Members
make arguments in support of the
Morrison bill, followed by protection
outcrys against it, and so the debate
runs on.
The fight between the two houses
over the naval bill continues at white
heat. Chairman Randall is fierce IL
his opposition to the senate's addi
tons to the bill, and that body in.
sists upon its amendments. 1t is pos
sible the session may end without an.
appropriation for the navy.
The senate is still disturbed owe
the pleuro-pneumonia bill. Senate
Coke is its bitterest opponent, sine
it would affect so seriously the loca
interests of his state. He says
more pernicious bill to the great stool
raising interests of the country can
not be constructed, and he thinks i
ought to be bill entitled "a bill t.
provide for slandering and depreciat
ing the stock interest of the Unite,
States.
The woman suffrage question ha
just assumed a varied phase, owe
reports on the subject having bee
submitted by the house committee
: The adverse majority report says
would be useless and pernicious fo
women to vote. The minority repol
says there is no reason why she shout
not. Representative Dorsheimer'
report is to the effect that she ougl
not to vote now but that she ma
vote later; while Mr.. poland say
the office and duty which nature ha
: devolved upon the sex renders th
3 question impracticable.
The Free Press publishes a lettt
from Col. Pingree to Hon. Georg
}. Nichols in reply to his open letter {
: withdrawal from the gubernatori
Il canvass. Among other things Co
y Pingree says:
) For your kindly personal allusior
to me thank you; and if, from IL
Ie list of names mentioned, OF to
v mentioned in connection with I'll
lie candidacy for governor, the voice {
Il our citizens should summon me to
% promotion, however | might feel con
# PEELED to regard the wisdom of the
N choice, and however strong my pc
10 sonal preferences for private Ii
ir might be, / should regard it my fir