The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1884-02-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, January 20, 1884.

WASHINGTON, January 70, 1855.
Congress must he commended for in
dustry again this week. 1t has done
various i'm portant work. The House
of course is the more interesting end oil
the Capitol at the present time, ana
among the first items on its records Is
the repeal of the iron-clad oath, relic
of war legislation. The action was
proposed by Mr.. Cox. Of New York.
1t was passed by a practically unanim-
Gus vote, and il is probable Congress.
men will all swear alike at the opening
OF the next session.
The House passed, by what was sub
stantially unanimous vote, there being
but eighteen descendants, Mr.. Holman's
resolutions regarding land grants, the
purport OF which was that Congress
thought all unearned land grants shall
he declared forfeited. To these was
added declaration that all laws iacili-
tating spe culation IN public lands, or
their accumulation IN large amounts in
the hands OF few owners, should be
repealed, and every effort made to Sc
cure a. many freeholders as possible IOr
agricultural land.
Another notable move was an attempt
to reduce the swarm of lobbyists that
iufests the floor of the House under the
title of ex.mcmbcrs of Congress. Rule
thirty four of the House admits to the
privileges of the floor ex.members who
arc not interested in any claim or direct
ly in any bill pending before Congress.
This puts the ex-member on his honor,
and experience proves, sad to say, that
the honor of an Congressman turned
lObbiest is not to he trusted. Iii even
alleged that men have sought an cleo
ton to Congress for the sake of the
superior footing which brief service in
the House would give them rs sat
torneys" for claims, claimants and spe.
cial interests. Mr.. Anderson, OF Kansas,
offered this bill, and it provides for a
formal declaration by the OK member Of
his freedom from lobbying schemes, be-
fore the Speaker can issue him a pass to
the floor.
Another severe blow to pension claim
agents was dealt by Mr.. Morgan, OF
Missouri, in bill to prohibit the col
lection of any part Of their ten dollar
fee before the final settlement OF the
claim. Recent exposures of the methods
have seriously curtailed their business
and If tins provision becomes q law it
will emDarrass them still further. Tn.
der existing regulations, many dishonest
claim agents cOntrive to get their fee IN
advance and then let the claim take
care of itself.
Among a number Of measures on the
calendar that were disposed of by the
House was bill passed for the relief of
Lieut.. Greely's Arctic expedition, the
amount of money to be expended being
left to the direction of the President.
Committees discussed banking and cur
rency, pensions. railroad giants, terri.
tories. interstate commerce and the pork
question.
The Mexican treaty. which the Senate
failed to ratify last Friday came up
again briefly, by proposition from
Senator Van Wyck,, that any further
consideration be had in open session, on
the ground that the people had right
to know all about the business transact
ed In Congress, and that secret sessions
for treaties was an old fogy idea. This
created quite flutter ofdisapprobatisn,
and the Kansas Senator was compelled
to withdraw his appeal The time for
ratification of the treaty has been ex-
tended to May and the matter will be
thoroughly discussed in the meantime.
In spite of the mealy mouthed peace
makers the differences in the Democrat
ic party are daily becoming more pro-
nounced. The majority OF the Ways
and Means committee insist that the
Democrats must put themselves on rec
ord as favoring general reduction of
tariff. The Democratic protectionists
insist that the tariff must be let alone.
On the eve Of Presidential struggle.
Of course the Democrats of all shades OF
tariff opinion wilt endeavor to avoid
contention. In a convention where
words only are necessary. it will be easy
to construct a platform that will suit
both wings. but acts will speak, and
that is the Democratic difficulty. The
fact cannot be lodged that the party is
in two openly hostile sections.
The Republican Congressional COM
mittee held its first meeting at the Ar.
linyton hotel tins week, and effected o
permanent organization. electiDg Gen
Joseph Hawley OF Connecticut. char.
man. In general interchange of
views, reports IN regard to the condition
of the party IN the various States and
territories were decidedly encouraging
and it is thought there will he no diff
Guilty in securing Republican MAORI
ty in the next House. Campaign work
was outlined, and the organization pro.
poses to co operate with the National
Republican committee on all matters
calculated to advance the interests of
the party in the coming Presidential
contest.