The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-09-20
McComas' Record.


An experience Of Il single session OF
Congress of seven months, for the first
time, gives new and untried men,
ber OF that body hut poor chance to
make for himself any kind of a rec.
ord. inexperienced In parliament
tary rules and methods, unacquainted
with the members and unknown tn
the leading men conscious of his in
expe rience and timid under the cir
cumStances, the new member very
wisely studies the situation and his
duties, and acquaints himself with
the new lOle he is to perform, before
ne can he expected to launrh out and
take leading part in the work of the
session. Hon. Louis L. McComas,
our candidate for reelection to Con-
gress, is young in years. and has had
out single session of about seven
months IT. Congress, to try his pow.
erS and give proof Of his stewardship.
we ought not to expect much of
him, VT we are willing his record he
placed before the public and he be
judged by it, ty the very strictest
rules OF comparison and criticism.
On the appointment of committees
hy the Speaker, he was placed on the
Committee of the District of Column
hia and Revision of Laws. He proved
himself an active, efficient member
of these committees, took part in all
their meetings and deliberations, and
introduced bills and resolutions.
He gave the most careful and un-
renIitting attention to pensions and
war claims in which his constituents
were interested, and many deserv-
ing soldier now enjoys a liberal PEN
sion. the result of Mr.. McComas' per-
sonal effort in his behalf.
He introduced joint resolution to
amend the Constitution, which was
tn enable Maryland, and all the other
States, to tax railroad property like
any other property.
Upon the Committee on the Dis
trict of Columbia he was conspicuous
ly active and among matters of gen.
eral interest he introduced the first
bill from his committee which passed
Congress. the Incorporation of the
Luther Statue Association he con-
Quoted through the House bill pro-
yiding Il new system of c0nveyances
Of y Is 5rS2Iak tS anay in yhfy !he Diftrie5 a;e I
vision of the General Incorporation
Laws of the District; he introduced
and received favorable report upon
bill tn provide Il new criminal code
for the District of Columbia; he dis
cussel the Free Bridge bill, to pro
vide "A bridge over the Potomac and
took an active part in the discussion
nf the Sewerage System for the city
of Washington, which was finally
passed in the shape he advocated he
helped to draft the Mechanics Lien
law. which was favorably reported
from his committee.
When it was proposed to appoint
committee to go on jaunt to inves-
tigate whether food and medicines
were adulterated and ifsO what should
he done, Mr.. Mills, of Texas. yield
e,i the floor to Mr.. McComas who
hrOnght to the attention of the House
bill which already covered the pur
pose. He insisted that every body
already knew the evil and the people
only wanted a remedy and that the
remedy lay in giving the people II
standard of purity AMI quality, and
80 effectively did he discuss the adop-
tiOn of the English system, a. ap
piled to the sale of foods, drugs and
medicines, that the jaunting commit
tee was defeated and the cOtnmittee
on Public Health and the committee
on Public Lands took up for favor
able consideration this bill, providing
a system to guard against adultera-
tions of what il offered for sale.
To the bill providing Bureau of
Labor Statistics, he added an impOr-
tant amendment about enquiring in
to the condition Of tenement houses
for operatives, and the rentals re
Quired of them.
When the foreign contract labor
immigration bill was before the House
and had met with much opposition
because of objections to the first Sec
tious, Mr.. McCOmas proposed an
amendment which refashiOned the
section, which amendment he
advocated and finally the COM
mitlee accepted it. and in that shape
the bill passed.
Against the reckless expenditure Of
money proposed by the Democrats.
in Democratic States, in the erection
of public buildings in small towns.
for the benefit OF the Democratic par
ty only, he took strong grounds and
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