St. Landry democrat., 1884-02-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent.

EEtlSL week nave nOG D6e0 GXC1G1nS, DuL
important work has been accomplished
in both houses and in committee. Ac-
cording to custom, large number of
new or renewed bills were presented on
Monday. The Fitz John Porter bill is
again the subject of debate and orato-
rical drivel in both the House, and the
Senate. It is great pity that this ques-
tion cannot have final extra-legisla-
tive and extra political settlement.
Congress is entirely too expensive tri-
hunal to try the grievances, whether
they be just or fictitions Of little gen
.eraI. Besides politico-legislative
body is not from common sense point
of view competent court to judge a
question that would seem to be of a
purely military and tactical character.
General Logan is expected to make
the greatest effort of his life on the Fitz
John Porter bill this week. When he
last spoke on this subject he drew sub
lime picture of the ship of state tossed
on the billows of treason, but steady
aud firm because supported by the pill
lars of liberty. Logan is immense as a
word painter, and consistency of meta
phor troubles him no more than correct
ness of grammar.
The Temperance question was dis
.cussed in side issue way in the Senate
last week. There are two immense res
taurants in the basement of the Capitol
one under the Senate, the other under
the House. To these restaurants Sena-
tors, Representatives, and hundreds of
visitors about the Capitol go for refresh
ments. The rules say that no intoxicat-
ing liquors shall be sold in these restau-
rants, but the rule has been eyaded and
she initiated have been able to get what
they wanted in tea cups under the fic-
tion of tea. During the discussion of
the new rules Senator Frye from Maine
told a CHASTITY story TO the effect that he
had seen common laborer in blouse,
with breeehes in boots, drinking bad
whiskey out of common crockery cup
at one of the Capitol restaurants. This
was no doubt an appalling picture and
enough to make the bronze Goddess of
Liberty shudder, but close analysis of
the inyectiFe of the dude minded young
Senator will show that the scandal, and
tie crime, was chiefly in the blouse, the
brooches, and the boots Of the poor
workman. The lobbyists and pimps,
tile male Panders, and the female Pan
doras who have been supported about
the Capitol by Senator Fryes party until
they own it, dress better than the work
men but they are infinitely worse and
more hideous than blouse, breeches,
boots, and bad whiskey.
The new rules of the Senate go into
force this morning, and Democratic.I
Senators are determined to take adyan-
tage Of every means in their power to
secure the enforcement of the provi-
sions respecting the order of business.
lie rigidly adhered to- the new rules
promise to shorten the work of the Sen
ate considerably and make its action
more dependent upon the merits Of a
measure than upon tile persistence Of
the Senator who has it In charge.
The Mexican treaty overshadows in
ls1portance all other matters now be-
fore the Senate, and if its friends choose
tOattempt reconsideration of the vote
Of last Friday, the week in whole or
great part may be. given up to it. There
are no measures of great Importance
upon the calendar of the Senate at pres
ent. Mr.. Culloms bill for the reorgani-
zation of the Legislative power of Utah,
some discussion of which has already
taken place, will doubtless be reached
early in the week, but the only question
about it will be with regard to its refer
ence. The measure, involving as it
does the reorganization of the entire
governmental machinery of Utah,
would naturally go to the committee on
Territories. Among the measures
which may be reported from committees
1uring the week are the bill introduced {
1Y Mr. Sherman authorizing the issue
lf circulating notes to National banks /
in amount to the market |
7atue OF their bonds Mr.. Edmnnds /
givil Rights bill and the Shipping bill.
These measures have been under con-
liberation respectively by the Finance, I
he judiciary and Commerce commit /
ees during several of their recent meet {
ngs, and committee work upon them is i
to be nearly concluded. If I'll
lone of these matters are reached or if tr
hey do not occupy all the week the bill d
lroviding O form of civil government d