Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-20

k0TtN-elgnln congress. Will compare III
vorably in point Of intelligence, and in
point of ability to show that intclli-
gence, to the best advantage of any
House which has proceeded it. 1t may
be this very fact which tends to make
the lower house cumbrous ana unwieldy
in the transaction of public business,
because man who can talk well is apt
to talk often and regardless Of the fact
that "time flies One great difference
between the Congress of to-day and
that of fifty or more years ago is that
the general average of ability is greater
and that brilliant men shine out less
consciously. In the present Congress
the proportion of members serving a
first term is usually large and the mum
her of them who have proved them
selves able to coup with their more eN-
perienced colleagues surprisingly SO,
Among the lew members who have
shown marked ability are Adams, OF
New York, who came into prominence
by fine speech on the Chalmers-Man-
nmg election case and his connection
with the committee investigating keit-
er; and Broadhead, of Missouri, who,
though now in legislative halls, has
long been known asa man OF recognized
| ability.
The California delegation, composed
with one exception entirely of new and
young men, is the strongest which the
5 ate has ever sent. And it is not Il
demagogical delegation, which IS some
thing to say for California. NJ Finer
" is the only man whom Illinois has
sent for the first time who has made
himself prominent, and, though his OBJ
lection to the "Alert" resolution was a
piece of petty spite, his earnest appeal
for a new navy shows that his spite has
something behind it stronger than
mere demagoguism. Thomas \ Robert
son, fresh from Kentucky, seems to be
of that indolent disposition which al
ways characteriZeS one or two men in
that delegation, but judging from some
brief remarks he has made TO the House
he might proYe a bad customer to trile
with in discussion. One OF the best
speeches made against the FitZ John
Porter bill, was by Cutcheon, Of Michi-
gan, and one Of the most rattliug re-
plies thereto by Laird, Of Nebraska,
both being rev members. PrnnsylYt-
ma sends many new members. who
will, no doubt, make stir before they
retire. Mr.. Elliott the memder-at- large,
is one of the youngest members CT the
House, but he already has taken Il lead
ing position and is recognized, not only
as All able lawyer, bat Il strong and
brilliant orator. Ray, OF New York,
made very good speech on the Fitz
John Potter bill, and succeeded in gain
ing the attention Of his colleagues on the
floor after they had once started Oh
run for the cloak rooms. as is usual
when new member begins TO talk.
The bill penSloning Mexican veterans
finally passed the House, although it
was stated that only 1000 of those who
fought in Mexico were from the North
ern States, and that of the 10000 from
the South 20 600 served aGtcrWard IN
the confederate army, so this was in
one sense a bill 10 pension rebel SOL
ders. The bill was pasSea by a large
majority, and the Southern Congress
men are highly gratilied. They say
that, while their section was suffering
from the effects of the war, when ruin
ed houses had not been rebuilt, and
when broken fortunes and blasted lives
were more common than prosperity
and happiness, the Southern people,
through their agents IN Congress, have
quietly voted to tax all they possess, or
might procure, in order to surround the
Union soldiers with the comforts of
life. This is true. The "Southeln
brigadiers" have always voted in Con
gresS for pensions and arrearages for
the Union veteran.
The ia)Ored articles sent out b.
friends of Arthur, to the effect that he
is Virtuously lying back for the people
TO reelect him without making any eff
fort on his own palt, causes a broad
smile to illume the features of those
who know just what is going on. AS
matter Of fact, no President ever US
ed lis position for the purpose of secur-
ing denomination to a greater extent
than Arthur is now doing. Mr.. Blaine
seems to be disturber Of the peace IL.
mOng the Republican candidates. "IIe
is not seeking the nomination. say
his friends, and apparently the Plumed
Knight is undistuIbed by the dreams
that haunt others who have the White
House in their line OF vision. The
veteran politicians, however, do not
credit the statements Of BAime's
friends, and his unqles;i0uaLle popU-
larity with the masses of lis party in
certain States causes well grounded
apprehension. Blaine may not be seek.
ing tie nomination, but lie is not indif-
ferent to the progress Of the canvass