Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-21
TALES FROM THE CAPITAL.
How Congressmen Get Left-A PaYmas-
teris Vengeance.
From ~ Neao YORK Tri5un

Prom, TIE Neeo York Tribune
WASHINGTON, July 19.-The average
Congressman who wishes to remain
in his seat for a second term has to be
very careful about everything he says and
does. Every act of his is watched and
commented upon as it suits their pur-
poses by political opponents and by rivals
in his own party. The slightest and most
trivial causes have resulted in the failure
OF men 70 secure nominations in their
districts. 1t would make interesting
reading if one could recall of-hand the
ludicrous incidents and grotesque de-
vices which have been resOrted to TO
compass the defeat of political enemies
There 10, Tor instance, the case Of
StOckslageT, Of Indiana. He offered a
resolution In the House providing for an
appropriation Of 5000, Ibelieve, to build
stables for the use of the House and the
Washington post office. The resolution
was a perfectly proper one. The Senate
has its own stable: why not the House?
The House pays now about $4,000 every
year for livery and the hire OF horses. The
building of stable would have been a
saving Of money But somebody out in
his district got hold Of the resolu-
ton and denounced poor StOckslager for
Equandering the peoples money and
being willing 10 have congressman keep
their horses at public expense. AS every
body knows. of course, who cared TO in
form himself, the horses and wagons are
required in the distribution Of the i'm
mense daily mail and the tons OF public
documents addressed TO every Congress.
man. OF keeping private horses at public
Expense there could not BE- any question.
But the cry Of squanderiug the peoples
money, once raised, finished stOckslager.
Another very curious feature of Con-
gressiOnal life Is that the men who are
placed on the committee for the District
OF Columbia rarely come back after they
have once served on that committee. The
reason for this Is plain enough. The CON-
mittee practically governs the district. IL
Is "A Kind Of small legislature Every
measure for Improvement or expense has
10 be submitted for its approval. lts
bowers are autOcratic, almost. 10 is "A very
busy committee. Those serving on IL rarely
get time enough 10 attend % the wants OF
their constituents. The latter come On
fnd that out quickly enough. Before long
they argue: "Well, Jones has no time 20
do anything for us. He is engrossed in
his work for the District Of Columbia. 10
would be better, perhaps, to send some
Dne else 20 represent US" Aud straight
way Jones finds himself relieved.
Mr. Carlisle showed his good sense
when be appointed Barbour, Of Virginia.
10 be chairman Of this committee. Bar
hour's Congressional district adjoins the
District OF Columbia. Being so close 10 his
home when in the capital he is not likely
i0 forget the wants Of his constituents.
One of the most ludicrous events dur
ing the FOrty-fifth Congress Was the con-
spiracy OF a number OF very fat Congress
men % secure an elevator in the capitol
building. ~ cost several Of the gentle
men engaged In this conspiracy their po-
ltleal life. There were "Nick" Muller Of
Of Indians, Kl0tz or Pennsylvania. and
others. Each weighed ia The neiehbOrhO0d
Of 300 pounds. Naturally they did not
relish going up and down the stairs Of the
oapito. twenty times day, especially