Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-01-26
The Senators, Clerks,

against the forfeiture OF any portion OF the North
eln Pacific land grant
The Senator's Clerks.
If THEY CoULD-wHAT MEMBERS SAY ABOUT IT
REPRESENTATIVE BELFORD'S PROPOSED RESoLU-
TON.
The action OF the Senate in voting each member
OF that body who IS not chairman of a committee a
private secretary, to be paid out Of the contingent
fund, is subject of general discussion among
members OF the House. The fact is that the Rep
resentatives want to do likewise, but very many of
themare afraid Of arouSing the wrath OF constitu-
en ,s democratic member from western state
said to STAR reporter to-day: at is right and Just
Tor each member OF this House. as well as of the
Senate, to have clerk at public expense,
but great many OF us dare not vote for
such proposition. 1 know that could never come
back to Congress from my district II should vote
Tor any measure to pay for clerk for out OF the
ton. and, more than that, come from a republican
district, and If should cast such vote no demo-
crat could again be elected in that district. Now,
suppose that my situation represents that Of most
OF the other members. II 1 keep up with my cor
respondence cannot possibly have time to inform
myself as to the legislation before Congress and
FULLY discharge my public duties That is the truth
receive from twenty-five to forty letters per day,
and to attend to the requests contained In them
and answer them properly am forced to write
during sessions OF Congress when I ought 70 he
giving my attention to legislation"
But" suggested the reporter, "suppose the
before It's passage"
"Ah, no explanation can be made that will Justify
such a thing In the estimation OF the masses" was
the reply. "There are thousands OF men In NV dis
trict who honestly believe that / am paid S. 900 a
year to do nothing, and have good time generally
IN washington. The very men who write me long
letters, and require me to attend to all sorts OF
matters for them do not stop to think that hun
dreds Of OF others are making the same sort of
In the House, my Judgment will go one way and
my vote the other l shall feel compelled to vote
against 1t, though believe it to be Just and proper.
and am satisfied that 1t would facilitate public
business and enable Congressman to much more
efficiently discharge his duties"
THE FEELING IN THE HOUSE.
This member OF the House accurately describes
the feeling and situation Of a great many Others,
as he also said: "1he Senate can afford to take o
step OF this kind because members Of that body
are one step removed from the people They are
elected by legislatures, the members of which, by
their own experience, can understand and appre-
cate the necessity or clerk and the aid he Is TO
Congressman In properly performing what is re-
quired OF him" Judging from the expressions Of
members, the Indications are that il any nropo-
sit!On for the employment OF clerks at public ex
penSe is brought before the House, it viii come
from the republican side. The democrats, appar-
responsibility OF It, and it IS offered it viii prob
ably be beaten by democratic votes IT has been
suggested among democrats that by refusing pass
Sucl measure In the House some political ca pital
can be made out of IT, The idea is that in cam
pa1gn before the people the action OF the republi-
can Senate can be used as an illustration OF the
extravaganza OF the republican party and can he
made more effective by contrasting it with re-
1lSal OF the democratic House to eXpend public
money in that direction.
REPRESENTATIVE BRUMM,
OF Pennsylvania, who has been several times
from democratic district as an Independent. or
greenback republican, said to a STAR reporter: 81
do sincerely hope the House will pass some such
measure VIII vote for 1t. Why, the letters from
tentlon they demand are enough to keep q man
busy. The people are always willing enough to
pay for anything that is proper. They do not de-
mand parsmony in the name OF economy. They
want honesty In the expenditure OF public money,
and where 1t is honestly expended for any use of
me people that is sufficient The public interest
Will be promoted by the expenditure of public
money Tor clerks for members OF Congress, and am
In favor OF it,"
A RESOLUTION TO BE INTRODUCED.
Judge Belford, OF Colorado, intends to submit to
The House next Monday resolution to provide a
clerk for each Representative to be paid out OF the
public treasury. The resolution VIII provide for
Ihe annual employment OF the clerks at salary of
l,2O0 each In talking with STAR reporter Judge
Bellord said that he is determined to put every
member on record On this question. He will de-
mand yea and nay vote. He says he has to get
up at am In order to keep up his correspondence.
NOW" he added, 81 had to attend at 10 am q
meeting OF the public lands committee At noon
must be In the House. IcannOt keep my cores
pCndence up unless begin work by daylight or
before"
ARMY ORDERs.--'The services OF Capt. William H.
Clapp, 10th Infantry being no longer required as
witness before the court OF inquiry appointed to
meet In this city, will return to his station 1st
Lieut.. Henry Romeyn, 9Th infantry, now ON leave
or absence, having been examined by an army re-
tlrlhg board ana found not incapactated for active
service relieved from further duty in the depart
mehl OF IeXas, and Will join his company without
delay LIST Lieut.. Henry l.. Harris is transferred
from ight battery K to battery A. 1St Lieut.. John
v. battery A 1irht
Lieut.. David Price, from light battery to battery
Z, ana "a Lieut. Chas. j. Bailey, from battery to
lght battery Is, LIST artillery. The leave of list
Lieut.. Henry L. Harris, LIST artillery, is extended
three months.
COMPLICATIONS ARISING OUT OF AN ATTORNEYS
MARRIAGE.-Penson Commissioner Dudley has dis
missed the charges made against j. W. Flenner, a
pension attorney. Mr. Flenner was suspended in
october on charge OF addressing to claimants for
pension postal cards. containing false and fraud-
lent statements, for the purpose Of obtaining pow
erS OF attorney for the prosecution Of claimS The
oIder or suspension was revoked five days later by
the secretary or the Interior 1t turns out that all
Inc trouble grew out OF Mr.. Flenner having mar
Ifed lady who was also engaged as a pen
sion attorney. The commissioner, in dismiss
ing the charges says that Mr.. Flenner has
satisfactorily Shown that the persons to whom the
cards In question We're addressed had previously
employed his Wife to prosecute their claims under
her maiden name, by which she could not be recog-
nlzed after her marriage. and Mr.. Flenner was in
nocent or any intention to misrepresent or fraud,
but desired only TO to his wife adequate legal
compensation for her previous services.
MEDICAL DIRECTOR WALES OFFIcE.-Medical d.
rector Wales term Of Office as chief OF the bureau
OF medicine and surgery OF the navy expired at
is now acting chief of the bureau. new chief
VIII be nominated next week. AS stated In yeSter-