The Florida agriculturist., 1885-02-04

Jacksonville, Fla.
From our regular Correspondent.
Washington Letter.
At the Capitol on Saturday, the Lon
don explosion formed the chief topic of
comment. When the news first reached
the House of Representatives members
were disposed to doubt its authenticity.
When it was confirmed they eagerly
sought information, and agreed that the
matter should have such attention and
action as it's seriousness deserved. The
Irish journalistic Representative from
Chicago, Mr.. Finnerty, said, when the
announcement was made to him, "Of
course it will be laid to the Irish, but
there may be Nihilists in London as we'll
as in Russia" A timid member said
"What if an attempt be made to blow up
the House of Representatives, where
news while in secret session and were
also incredulous at first. Senator Ed
munds Immediately introduced bill to
tors in the United States. The effect of
this will be to turn aside the bitterness
of feeling against America, engendered
by the explosion.
During the week both Houses of Con-
gress gave some time to memorial eulo
gies upon deceased associates, and both
discussed the Indian question, sprung by
the Oklohomo lands invasion. The SEN
ate wasted time again on the Interstate
Commerce bill, without being interest
ing even to itself, and continued it's talk
about the Nicaraguan treaty within bar
red doors. The House passed some appro-
priations and fifty private pension bills.
Congressman Hurd, of Ohio, made
notable speech against the Educational
bill. He argued that bill appropriate
ing money was bill for raising revenue.
That as the measure originated in the
! Senate, that branch of Congress which
has no authority to originate money bills,
a privilege of the House had been vio-
lated. Therefore the bill was unconsti-
tutional. A less courageous legislator
would not have identified the abstract
principle of the rights of the House with
the fortunes of pending bill in which
so many members are deeply interested.
Instead of disassociating the principle of
Senatorial aggression from any measure,
he selected very important bill recently
passed by the Senate and now before
the House as the text for his attack.
Mr.. Willis thought a less worthy bill
might have been chosen than the one he
has been advocating so long. Mr.. Hurd
asserted that when the Senate passed a
bill, which takes a hundred million dol
lars out of the Treasury, it is time to en-
force the principle that the power of
originating money bills belongs to the
House of Representatives. 1t is the
habit of our constitutional Congress to
4hnf Ola ,,1k..,r
constitution, to square with their desires
on any particular bill that may be under
consideration, and Mr.. Hurd's policy
created no little surprise. The bill bare
ly escaped reference to the Judiciary
committee, in other words, defeat. The
House does not favor Senatorial aggres-
sion, but it does favor the Blair Educa-
tional Bill.
During the week, the leading advo-
Gates of Female Suffrage came to the
Capital, as usual, to talk about their
wrongs. This was their sixteenth an
nual convention in Washington. They
rehearsed the old story of oppression,
and dwelt with indignation on the usur-
patton of 'cruel, domineering man.
They are undaunted by discouragement,
and will come to try again next year,
and the year after that and then again
the next. One of the orators was dis
gusted with the wives of certain Sena-
tors, who did not know how their hus-
bands were going to vote on SO vital
question as the Equal Rights bill, which
is approaching the top of the Senate cal
endar. The meetings of the association
were well attended, and Mrs. Stanton
and Mrs. Susan Anthony are always en-
tertaining whatever may be said of
other members of the sisterhood.
The celebrated journalist, George Au-
gustus Sala, who lectured here during
the week, and was rendered all the So
cial honors he could accept, expressed
himself as delighted with the giimpses
he had of the social life of the CAPITAL.
He attended reception at Secretary
Frelinghuysen's, called at the White
House, went to an afternoon concert at
the British ministers, and attended two
breakfasts given in his honor. Noting
the improved appearance of Washing
ton since he was here five years ago, he
said it would be the most beautiful city
in the world, because there would be no
manufactures, and no business to dis
figure and soil it.
Washington, Jan. 20, 1885.