The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-01-17
Things At The Capital.
WASHINGTON. Jan. l2th, 1885.

UNIV Atillt III NV AApRhNt ttiAA
the passage Of two. In the Senate there
were debates on Railroad traffic between
the States, vote ON the forfeiture of Or
egon land grants, and II number of secret
sessions, with no secrets. Thwarted leg
islation in the House embraced the
Lowell Bankruptcy bill, which received
II decided set back, the Mexican War
Veterans pension bill, which fell with n
heavy thud; and II little bill to abolish
the internal Revenue tax ON tobacco,
cigars, snuff, alcohol, fruit brandies, e;c.,
which was buried under large vote.
The House then diAcu Ssrd and passed the
regular Pension appropriation, dealing
II blow en- JGlaGJ at Washington claim
agents who Cypress pension applicants
by extortionate fees. And last, but not
least in Importance, the House voted for
the Reagan Interstate Commerce mea-
sure, which that body has been deibcr-
ating over annually for ten years, The
bill passed on the 3rl inst, old Ilickory's
day, which was celebrated with enthusi-
asm here bya public meeting, with speech
making and banquet Judge Reagan tri-
umphantly remarked that the success of
his measure was II fitting celebration of
the day. Some features of the bill, which
has for its main object the prevention of
unjust discrimination by railroads in haul
ing freight, arc sharply criticised. Al
though the Senate is now dealing with
the same subject, the bill is not expected
to become a law this session.
1t is by no means an uncommon thing
for either the Senate or the House of
Representatives to make itself ridiculous
but the Senate distinguished itself in that
way the other day. 1t decided not to let
the public have official information that
it had received unotiicially several weeks
before. 1t locked its doors and had a
spirited quarrel about keeping secret IL
treaty already published. The secretive
Senators were so closely pressed by their
open-mouthed friends that they rejoined
in terms suited only TO the privacy of an
executive session. The President of the
Senate, Mr. Edmunds, was so badgered
by the advocates of open sessions, that
he was betrayed into utterances he prob
ably would have avoided in calmer NOM
ents When he admitted that the country
might not be ruined if commercial trea-
ties were discussed in public, his oppon-
ents felt that they had scored a success
The Senatorial debate of the Nicaragian
treaty bids fair to be very long one
Every Senator will want to make one
speech, and some will insist on talking
half dozen times. As so many mea.
sures must be disposed of before the 18th
of March, the treaty is likely to 90 over
to Forty-Ninth Congress.
In regard to land grant forfeitures
Senator Voorhees, inquired whether t
meye declaration of forfeiture by Con
gress could divest people of their rights
to appeal to the courts. Senator Morgan
replied that it did not, yet, that was what
was intended by the trainers and friends
of land grant forfeiture bills. What sort
of Government have we, asked tie Sena
tor from Alabama, il the judicial depart
ment of it cannot be trusted TO pass upon
title "When," continued he did Con
gress get its reputation for immaculat,
, purity to such an extent that it rost
above the reputation of the courts
When did we find our courts haunted by
gangs of foul lobbyists, who attempt tc
| prevert their decisions? 1t is here thai
such people come, they are found in the
lobbies of this body. will not sa!
! where the carcass is, there the eagles art
, gathered together: that would be unjust
but will say, for serene honest judg
ment of perfect integrity, commend mt
to court rather than to any legislativ,
body"
, The private secretary of President-elec
Cleveland has been in the city this week
| He came to secure house for himsel
: and to make some inquiries about tn
l. White House for the gentleman who
to occupy it in Marcel. He was present
ed to President Arthur, whom he me
"a during the exciting Senatorial contest O
: 1881 at Albany, was shown about tn
v Mansion, and introduced to the clerks q
q the Executive Office. The latter had bee
, awaiting his arrival with ill-restraine
a concern. In his travels through the cit
q he enjoyed the pleasure of being III
II known, and so was not stopped by otic
seekers, friends or interviewers. Speal
|, ing of the Inauguration he remarked tha
while Gov. Cleveland was averse to o'
# tentatious parade, he also realized thg
! studied simplicity might appear like a
fectation. Therefore the details Of tn
, ceremonies were left entirely to the judi
a ment of the committee.
-.
Is THE February number of Demoresrs
l. Illustrated Magazine contains several article
"a of upusal interest among which are "Ren
N brandt and hil Art" Madame Adam
g THE Story of Thorwaldsen, "and"Qld an
New Industries for Women" by Jenn
Il June. Mr. Demands serial, "A Stranl
ID Girl" is continued; and several good st
u ries and poems, household and art su
l. gestions, fashion and Current Note
- give additional attraction to this excelle
y publication. The froHtispiepe Is al {
picture suited to the season dedicated
. Saint Valentine. Published by ]. Jen
4 I A 81 No,