Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-02-19
Words from Washington.

again NeriHeu, one OF the coolest
snaps of the season having visited
us. 1t is to be hoped it may lend the
gentlemen at the Capitol more energy
to dispose of the legislative business,
which is unusually backward and leads
to rumors of an extra session, but as
the President-elect is reported to have
said that should this prove necessary,
he would delay it as long after his in
auguration as possible. thereby assem-
bling both Houses in the heat OF sum-
mer. none of the members desire it.
The River and Harbor bill has made
very little progress and its prospects
are by no means of the brightest.
There is resolute opposition to the
Eads- Galveston job, and the bill is de-
clared to be more Objectionable than
the one vetoed by President Arthur in
the last Congress, so its fate is dubious
even should its passage be secured.
During the debate Mr.. Breckenridge
announced his intention of attempting,
at the next session of Congress, to have
a permanent bureau of public works
created, charged with the care of river
and harbor improvements.
Several quarrels between members
have marked the course OF the debate,
one or two of so grave character that
the rgeant-at-arms was summoned to
seat the disputants, and many of
comical turn.
The Cullom interstate commerce
bill has been passed by the Senate, by
vote Of 43 to u. 1t directs the ap-
pointment Of nine commissioners, not
more than five of whom can belong to
the same political party, who shall in
vestigate all matters pertaining to CON-
merce between the states, especially
the matter of transportation, $50 far as
may be necessary TO ESTABLISH Just
system of regulations for the govern
ment OF the same" Interstate COM
merce companies are prohibited from
demanding more than reasonable
compensation for transporting freight,
and from charging any person more
than another for the same services
They are also required to furnish the
same facilities to all. Complaints
against transportion companies shall
be made to the commission. who shall
assess damages. and if the company
shall refuse to pay, the case shall be
certified to the U. S. district court.
The law is framed to apply to all trans
portatioa companies doing business il
this country.
The legislative, executive, and judi
cia appropriation bill directs the
Speaker to appoint commission, COM
posed Of five members Of the Forty
ninth Congress, to consider the system
of Indian education and the best method
of expanding the appropriations for
that purpose-al the best means of
utilizing the Yellowstone Park for the
public benefit.
Apropos of Indians, delegation of
Kiowas. Apaches, and Comanches have
made Secretary Teller proposition to
lease portion of their lands which
presents some points of interest. The
lands 70 be leased they state to be only
those they do not themselves need for
farms; the lease is to run six years.
and the rate is fixed at six cents an
acre-three times as much as is OBJ
tanned by the leases made by their
tribes-anG will bring the Indians
about s150 per annum for each family
The cattle men AFRO to employ fifty -four
Indians as herders; payments are to
be made alternately in cash and in one
and two year old cattle la these
respects the Indians seem to have fol,
lowed some of the suggestions made by
Secretary Teller in his last report. They
say that in six years they hope to have
cattle enough to Craze the country for
themselves.
Commissioner Wright, OF the new
Labor Bureau, states his policy to be to
consider the body of citizens without
any recognition of parties. The bureau
will have no connection with politics,
no dependence on organizations
whether of working men or employers
and will support no economical
theories. individual views, or class in
terests. He thinks that the $4,000
appropriated will be sufficient for the
early labors Of the bureau, but not for
any extensive work or investigation.
The new rule of the House opening
the floor to bills to which DO more than
ten objections appear. did not work
satisfactorily when put in operation.
Ten directors seemed as easily found
as one, and not bill was passed.
While at first sight the opposition to
the rule seemed minded, the
experience of its practical working
went far towards justifying the obiec-
tons. The complaint that scores of
important measures were doomed to be
sacrificed in the common slaughter of
all legislation is perfectly true, yet when
an opportunity was afforded members
to ask the House to consider these
neglected public interests, what came
of it? In they flocked with their special
little bills for some local building or the
relief OF some constituent.
The request for the donation to the
New Orleans Exposition of 100000 in
addition to what has already been
made, it is said, be recommended by
the President for favorable consdera-
ton. It's plain that the enterprise
must fail or be aided by the govern
ment, and the argument is used that
rs the government invited foreign ex-
bbitors u cooperate, it is bound to
see that the affair does not collapse.
Without assistance it is not probable
that the Exposition will continue an
other month, as its creditors constantly