Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-02-21
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
rom our Regular correspondent.

WASnlNUlVN CVhhESfVNUENCE
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL. 18S4.-1here
were lively times at the Capitol during
the past week. A spirit of decided ami
nation seemed to have been infused
into both branches of the National |
Legislature. In the early part of the
week. Mr.. Morrison introduced his much |
mooted tariff scheme in the House.
But in this he had the field all to him-
self, as Mr.. Converse had decided, after
mature elaboration, not to introduce
his counter-resolution upon the product
of the shorn lamb that afternoon, some
other afternoon. This had the effect of
dampening the ardor of Mr.. Hurd, who
thereupon kept his peace also, so that
complete order reigned in the tariff
camp. Then the lower house resolved
itself into debating society on the
rules, every member having chance to
enter and champion his pet hobby,
while Mr.. Randall stood like legisla-
tive Sullivan knocking out" in one
round of three minutes, each of the
amateur parliamentarians in turn. The
report from Mr.. Randalrs committee
on rules provided that the rules of the
House of the Forty-sixth Congress, as
amended by the present House, shall be
the rules for the Forty-eight Congress
until further ordered. But about four
teen amendments were thereupon SUBJ
mitted, nearly all of which were OPP
posed by Mr.. Randall, and suffered de-
feat. Mr.. Anderson's amendment for
bidding the floor to ex-members who
used their privilege of admission for
lobbying purposes was lost, but Mr..
Cox, with his usual tact and good luck,
carried the House with him on his mo-
ton to continue the census committee.
Mr. Bedford and Calamity Weller en-
tertained the members by their observa-
tons, the former in favor of his amend
ment providing for clerk for each
member of Congress not the chairman
of a committee, and the latter by a
vehement speech, attacking the national
bank system. Mr.. Reed also "talked
right out in meeting" and gave the
House and the country some needed
facts on the inability of Congress to
cope with the business of legislation
under its present rules of procedure.
He claimed that Congress does not
reach eight per cent. of its business. In
the last Congress, out of total of ten
thousand bills and resolutions intro
duced, only three hundred were passed.
But the physical impossibility," as
claimed, for Congress to deal with more
than a small fraction of its business
might be materially lessened by giving
a greater measure of time to legislation
AS it is now, Congress is in session less
than one-half of the time, and when in
session gives itself many holidays. Ex-
cept at the end of the session, Saturday
is always holiday, and Friday gener-
ally 50: and fourteen out of twenty-four
months are spent in vacations.
The House also managed to spoil all
prospects for picnic to mingle indig-
nation and pleasure, by refusal to
authorize an investigation committee to
visit the Arkansas Hot Springs to over
haul the wicked contractors and enjoy
the revivifying baths. But the appoint
ment of Gen. Bovnton's committee to
investigate ex-Speaker Keifer, which
was made by Speaker Carlisle, savors
of decided picnic, and it is reported
that Boynton will conduct his own case
before the committee and personally
examine Keifer.
The bill providing for a new congress
sional library has been made the special
order in the Senate for next Tuesday,
and there is reason now to hope that
the effort to provide the congressional
library with suitable Accommodations will
not much longer be frustrated. The
library is growing steadily year by year.
Twelve months ago it numbered $780,
O76 volumes and 100000 pamphlets. 1t
now contains 513, AL books and 165, 900
pamphlets, not half of which can be
made available for want of proper
space. One has only to enter the rooms
to be given "the ocular proof" of the
great need of larger Accommodations.
The total ultimate cost of the proposed
new building will be So. 362, 900, and it
will accommodate 100000 books.
Fred Douglas, the eminent colored
orator, is having the truth of the old
adage impressed upon him, that the
course of true love never runs smooth.
His chromatic matrimonial venture has
caused much family unpleasantness,
and now his ex-housekeeper proposes to
sue for $4,000 for services. He is said
to now have fortune of 100000, the
foundation of which was laid by Miss
Griffith, an English abolition enthusiast
who entered his family as a member of
it, bought him a house, and set him up
as the proprietor of a newspaper in
Rochester, just after he had secured his
freedom.
We have had an inundation from the
Mississippi River in the shape of con-
vantion con,noSed Of dplpuataS from the
States bordering on the Father of
Waters" They came to discuss plans
for improvement of their river and to
flood Congress into recognition of the
necessary measures towards this end.
LExoN.
The First American Traitor.
Were child, and, possibly we'll
educated adult. asked who was the first
traitor to the republican cause in