Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-01-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, January 18th.

congress was marked by the defeat
of three important bills in the house,
and the passage of two. In the SEN
ate there were debates on railroad,
traffic between the states, a vote on
the forfeiture of Oregon land grants,
and number of secret sessions,
with no secrets. Thwarted legisla-
ton ia the house embraced the Low
ell bankruptcy bill which received a
decided set back; the Mexican vete
rams pension bill, which fell with a
heavy thud and little bill to abol-
ish the interna, revenue tax on toba-
CO, cigars, snuff, alcohol, fruits,
brandies, etc., which was buried un-
der large vote. The house then
discussed and passed the regular.
pension appropriation, dealing
blow en- passant at Washington claim
agents who Cypress pension appli-
cants by extortionate fees. And
last, but not least in Importance, the
house voted for the Reagan inter
state commerce measure, which that
body has been celebrating over an
nually for ten years, The bill pass
ed on the 9th. inst, Old Hickory's
day, which was celebrated with en-
thuiasm here by public meeting,
with speech making and banquet.
Judge Reagan triumphantly remark
ed, that the success of his measure
was fitting celebration of the day.
Some features of the bill, which has
for it's main object the prevention of
unjust discrimination by railroads in
hauling freight, are sharply criticised.
Although the senate is now dealing
with the same subject, the bill is not
expected to become law this ses-
sion. t.
1t is by no means an uncommon
thing for either the senate or house
of representative to make itself ri
diculous, but the senate distinguished
itself In that way the other day. 1t
decided not to let the public have
official information that it had receiv-
ed unofficially several weeks before.
1t locked its doors and had spirited
quarrel about keeping secret treaty
already published. The secretive
senators were so closely pressed by
their opened-mouthed friends they
reioined in terms suited only to the
privacy of an executive session. The
President of the senate, Mr.. Ed
munds, was badgered by the advo-
Gates of open sessions, that he was
betrayed into utterances he probably
would have avoided in calmer mo-
ments. When he admitted that the
country might not be ruined if CON-
mercial treaties were discussed in
public, his opponents felt that they
had scored success. The senatori-
al debate of. the Nicaraguan treaty
bids fair to be very long one. Every
senator will want to make one speech
and some will insist on talking half s
dozen times. AS so many measures
must be disposed of before the 4th o.
March, the treaty is likely to g
over to the forty-ninth congress.
In regard to land grant forfeitures
senator VOORHEES, inquired whether :
mere declaration of forfeiture b,
congress, could divest people of thei
rights to appeal to the courts. sen
ator Morgan replied that it did not
yet, that what was intended by tn
farmers and friends of land gran
forfeiture bills. What sort Of a gov
eminent have we, asked the senate
from Alabama, if the judicial depart
ment of it cannot be trusted to pas
upon title. ''When," continued b
"did congress get its reputation TO
immaculate purity to such an eXten
that il rose above the reputation O
the courts? When did we find GU
courts haunted by gangs of foul lot
byists, who attempt to pervert the
decisions? 1t is here that such pee
pie come, they are found in the lot
bies of this body. [ will not sa
, where the carcass is, there the eagle
are gathered together: that would /
unjust: but | will say, for seier
honest Judgment of perfect integrit,
u commend me to court rather tina
! to any Legislative body"
The private secretary of Presiden
elect Cleveland has been in the eli
this week. He came to secure
house for himself and to make i
;, quiries about the white house for Il
gentleman who is to occupy it
March. He saw President Arthu
whom he met during the eXcitil
senatorial contest of 1881 at Alban
was shown about the mansion, al
introduced to the clerks of the offic
, The latter had been awaiting |
arrival with ill-restrained concer
; In his travels through the city he e
:. joyed the pleasure of being unknow
. and SO was not stopped by off
seekers, friends or interviewe
Speaking of the Inauguration he
- marked that while Gov. Cleyela
= was averse to ostentatious parat
: he also realized that simplicity mis-
" appear like affectation Theref,
>. the details of the ceremonies W
left entirely to the Judgment of
committee.
n,
Ic- Herbert Spencer says that mans eonYerss
to is sure index to his mental capacity: We Il
!, fore account for the numerous hattering comm