St. Landry democrat., 1884-01-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.
JANUARY IA, 1884.

Christmas holidays, was marked by the
presentation of large number of bills
Important progress was made with
work in the various committees. Some
speeches relating to the tariff were de-
livered in the Senate. Senator Cuilom
of Illinois, made an anti-poligamy
speech upon which he was heartily con-
graduated by both Democratic and Re-
publican Senators. A bill was passed
appropriating $1,000,0OO, for the i'm
provement of the Mississippi river. In
the debate on the Mississippi river bill
Senator Plumb of Kansas threw out a
suggestion that may be worth consider
ing. He thinks there should not only
be continuous lines of levees on both
sides, but that they should be surround
ed by railroads to keep them in repair.
Senator Hill of Colorado has suggest
e6 a bill for the erection of buildings by
the United States Government in
every town, city, and village with a
population of not less than one thou
sand. The scheme is heroic remedy
for the relief of the abese and dyspeptic
u. S. Treasury. Putting the cost of a
convenient and substantial building, in
cluding land, at an average of ten thou
sand dollars, the bill calls for an expen-
diture of about twenty millions of dol
lars. No money could be more wisely
expended. More than the interest on
such a sum is now disbursed for rent,
and in large number of places the post
Office accommodations are shabby and
inconvenient, and derogatory to the
character OF the government. Where
ever the Federal Government comes
in contact with the people, not only
should the official be respectable, but
his surroundings such as to inspire and
secure the respect of the people. Other
Senators and Representatives have in
troduced bills providing for the erection
of a large number Of public buildings in
different parts of the country. Senator
Morgan Of Alabama remarked ID q
speech last week: I'VE have now reach
ed point when ne have rich govern
ment. While the people are crying ont
for relief from taxation, Congressman
are taxing their ingenuity 70 find ways
and means to spend their surplus reven-
ues.
The commerce committee have at
once tackled Chairman Reagans favor,
ite measure, the interstate commerce
bill, and set apart week from January
Gath, for a debate upon its merits by
outside parties. The railroad men will
be heard first, and then persons whose
interests are antagonistic to the roads.
These discussions, have in the past,
brought first class talent to The commit
tee rooms, and been OF educational SER
vice to the country, If barren thus far
In legislation. The railroads put for
ward their best spokesman, such as Mr.
for the Pennsylvania, Mr.. De-
pew for The Central, Commissioner
Fink, and Mr.. Blanchard while the
anti railroad forces are led, generally,
by Mr.. Thurber. Thus far the railroads
have succeeded III postponing all legis-
lation distasteful to them that Judge
Reagan proposes; but that gentleman
does not loose heart, and with greater
freedom in committee and a sympathet-
ic House he may be able, this winter, to
send his long delayed bill to the Senate.
Its chances there, however, are not
vety good.
There has been much talk during the
week Of discord in the Democratic
ranks, but on many points there is sub
stantial accord, and on some Of those
points its policy has been clearly fore
shadoWed. It is altogether improbable
hat the affirmative legislation asked
or by the national banks will be grant
ID or tnat the coinage Of silver dollars
viii be stopped. Appropriations viii
le cut down to the lowest notch. No
appropriation for the neW ships If var
U for an increase Of the nsvaI force will
'e made. a yle5reT6 effort wal
made to revive American eoS,rness4siaE
hipping. Lite mercy vii w saosyp
railroad corrorations. There rill la
literal construction d ia.,ii. grants.
nd when the terms af ia arant haYa
Iot been rigidly complied with, they
Till be forfeited. The laws Of traaie On
rank lines will be revised in the inter-
Sc OF the shipper and consumer. And /
8 q further check to railroads, naviga-
le rivers are to beimproved, and liber-