The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1884-07-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.


WASHINGTON, D. G. June 2sth, 1884,
When Congress is in the mood it can
do great deal Of work in short time,
and when it simply wants to talk, it can
go to almost interminable lengths. The
manner in which the House disposed Of
the sundry Civil Appropriation bill, in
dicated the present spirit of that body.
This measure might have been tamper-
ed with for two weeks, but its passage
without discussion, was one long bound
toward an adjournment. Of course the
Democratic members do not want the
trouble of coming back to Washington
after the National Convention. There
are many things, to be sure, which will
not be done this session, even If IT were
to continue until fall. But there is this
consolingt reflection. By next winter,
many members Sf both Houses will
know more than they do now, and will
act accordingly Union soldiers, Mexi-
can soldiers. soldiers pensions, and more
homes tor soldiers are the subjects upon
which statesmen of the upper House have
expended their eloquence this week.
The much abused Mexican veterans pen>
sion bill passed the Senate, but in a con,
'dition SO mutilated that it could not be
recognized as the bill passed by the
House. Republican Senators loaded il
down with amendments in order that it
might be defeated In the House, which
will doubtless be its fate there. This
was done to make q little political capl-
tai. greatly needed;by them just now.
The Ingalls, amendment antagonized by
the Democrats, dated pensions of Union
soldiers from the time of discharge or dis
ability. Democratic opposition was not
made because of an unwillingness to vote
pensions tor Northern soldiers but bes'
cause the Democrats wanted the Mexis
can veterans to 60 through on their own
own merits, unencumbered by partisan
schemes. Senator Morgan explained
that the object in forcing the S250,000-
900 amendment on the bill was pollti-
cal one, to force the Democrats to the
wall and to make it appear to the coun-
try that they were opposed to pensions
ing Norther soldiers. But, said the Ala
bama orator, your present tax laws bear
down most heavily upon the substratun'
of society They bear like the waters do
upon the bottom of the sea, growing
heavier toward the bottom, they bear lik'
the atmosphere does upon the earth,
growing heavier as it comes in contact
with the soil. As American Senators it
is our duty to look to the man who is re-
ceiving bounty from the Government,
and then to turn our eyes to the man
who is to be taxed to raise the money 90
pay it. Senator Morgan said he would
be ashamed of himself if he lacked the
courage to vote against bill the real in
tent Of which was to get up a make
weight in the pending political cam
paign, When you present pension bill
in good faith, which your committee
has indorsed. and your people demand
continued he. / will vote for it, but ]
shall not be dragoned into voting for il
for fear I may be placed in false atti
tude in the mind of any man in th'
world because once belonged 10 the
confederate army. In the course Of hi
remarks Mr.. Morgan said, Take your
candidate for the Presidency. He wa.
a valiant war talker, but he never went
into it. He remained at home and ac'
quired his millions, and his substitute
went to the war;" No, he didn't inter
posed Senator Williams. His substitute
got furlough and remained at home
| Well he ought to have gone replied thu
Senator from Alabama. One member o
that combination ought to have gone.
Senator Hale got in a resolution for al
investigation of Department frauds jus
In time, aud forestalled the action which
would shortly have been sprung upon th
Senate from the Democratic side. Will
the Senator from Maine it entitled to TIN
credit of having "snutfed the battle iron
afar," it is of no consequence to the Dem
ocratie party where the resolution come
from. 1t is the Republican not the Dem
ocratic party that is to be investigated
The Committee on Expenditures of Pub
lie Money will sit on this enquiry durin
the summer vacation.
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