The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-12-17
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

J
One week of Congress has passed and
nothing done. Both branches, however,
will soon get down to hard work. Over
200 bills have already been introduced in
the Senate, and food of them Is expect.
ed In the House to-day. As rule
members are hard worked, although
neither House meets till IL o'clock and
both adjourn at s. The hours before IL
are occupied in committee meetings and
the preparation of reports on claims
referred to individual members for exam
ination. The members are often obliged
to devote hours at night 10 the examina-
tion and digestiug Of the voluminous
papers usually submitted in support of
the claims. They cannot skim.over the
evidence because they have to submit
clear statement of it to the committee
before the letter agrees on the report,
and then they must be prepared to an.
swer all questions that may be propound-
cd by the 300 and more members when
the claim comes up for final action in the
House. The duties and labors of a
member are anything but few and light
when Congress rs sitting. Besides the
duties imposed upon him by the House,
he has numerous letters of all sorts and
kinds to answer, not only from his own
constituents, but even from other citizens
of his own State, and at times even from
other States. This correspondence is 80
large that Congress found it necessary to
allow each member 5000 a session for
writing paper and postage. Then again
great deal of time is consumed in visit
ing the various Departments looking
after the claims or some business of con-
stituents req uiring action by the Depart
meut. For that reason the corridors Of
the Department buildings are alive with
distinguished servants of the great repub-
lie from the time that their doors are
opened until the last minute of grace to
reach the Capitol to look after business
there. Truly, the path of member is
q rough and rugged one and not strewn
with roses.
The florists here are already renewing
their we'll grounded complaints against
the injustice done by the Government in
keeping up four immense propagating
gardens and greenhouses to supply
flowers and plants gratuitously to the
society people to the injury Of private
enterprises. Thousands of dollars are
appropriated every session of Congress to
keep up those Government greenhouses
to no purpose other than to supply high
officials and their friends with flowers
and plants to adorn their private parlors
when giving the customary afternoon
and evening receptions. This of course
iniures honest trade, and should be stop
ped. The American people do not
object to their money being expended in
what contributes to the welfare of all
and advances science, but they do object
to crushing out private enterprises BY
using public funds to benefit class indi-
yiduals. Let there be reform in this
all important matter.
Washington has been the city of con-
yentions the past week. First in impor-
tance was the republics convention
Congress second, the sanitary conven.
ton, and third, but by no means least,
the Knights of Labor convention.
The sanitary convention is largely
attended, and its daily sessions are inter.
esting in the papers read and discussions
following on subjects affecting the
hygiene and sanitary condition of the
whole country. Many distinguished
ssnitists are here, and the printed report
of the conventions proceedings will be
received by the people of all sections as
an important and useful acquisition to
sanitary science. 1t is subject in which
every large city and town in the country
is deeply interested, as the health of
whole communities is dependent upon it.
Some of the subjects discussed are the
health of factory operatives, the question
of maritime quarantine, and commits
sion to study yellow fever.
The labor convention has been holding
daily sessions, and discussing subjects
affecting the welfare of all laboring
classes. Among the most important
subjects are "boycotting," and eight
hours for day's work. Both subjects
have received the hearty endorsement of
the convention. 1t is believed that the
meeting at this time will induce congress.
ional action on labor questions. The
convention is large, and composed of an
Intelligent body of men, who are calm in
their deliberations and yet firm in insist.
ing on, as part of the common law OF
the land, what they believe to be for the
interest of the laboring classes and just
to their employers. Last Thursday night
they had torchlight procession, which
was mile in length and the most order.
ly ever seen here. The men in line were
both young and gray haired, and their
appearance and bearing would command
respect at any time and in any place.
Among the transparencies were some
bearing such inscriptions as abolish
Convict Labor" arbitration first, and
strikes as the last resort Organized
labor is the bulwark of the republic"
"Abolish the Government contract sys-
tem," etc., etc. A mass meeting was
held after the procession, and stirring
addresses made by good speakers. Con-
gress cannot help being deeply and favor.
ably impressed with the demonstration.
On Thursday morning requiem mass
was held at St. Matthew's Church for the
repose of the soul of King Alfonso, and
was a very imposing ceremony. The
President, accompanied by his Secreta-
ries of State and war, walked over to the
church from the White House, and were
assigned seats in front pew. All of the
foreign legations at the Capitol attended,
and the gorgeous uniforms of the minis.
ters and attaches added 70 the brilliancy
of the scene.
The Senate committee on printing will
probably soon offer resolution regulat-
ing the number of copies of bills to be
printed. At present an equal number of
all bills are printed, and as consequence
there are tens of Thousands copies of
private bills that are never used and are
wasted, while there are not enough cop
les of the important bills to supply the
demand. The proposed resolution will
remedy the evil.