The Mineral argus., 1886-07-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.


ippfOpflltiDll Dliis ltiis Wtck. uOpilS J
to hasten an Adjournment. but that ,
event is still far OF. Nc matter how
urgent their work, however, our law
makers can always find time 10 stray
off into irrelevant paths in the mIds,
Of any debate. No matter how i'm
poriani the question under cousidera-
ton, not a day passes but that both
Legislative halls of the capital are
scenes OF undgniiied assaults Of men,
bers upon each other, partisan thrus,s
and acrimonious personalities.
While look down a; the represen-
ta,lyes of fifty FIVE millions of people,
your correspondent is often grieved at
The audaclty and cifrontcry OF the leg
lslaiors vino turn from the mighty
responsibility and pressure OF public
business To waste time over their own
petty wrangles and personal anlmosi-
ties. The present week has been
unusually rrohiic in Juarrcls of this
kind. and IN the revival of little feuds.
One OF the most ludcrous scenes took
place between congressman Cabb and
Laird. Hot words passed between
them for several minutes. and flat con
iradiciions and threats followed. when
both jumped up threateningly, and
each told the other that he had better
not threaten.
And no matter how great the ur-
gency nj public business. congressman
take time Tor little pleasantly when
ever an opportunity is presented. To
day the fun may be at the expense of
one oi the national capitals monu
ments; Tomorrow it may be cabinet
officer who is placed in some ridiculous
light. Yesterday it was the new pen
sion building that WAS assailed with the
battery of ridicule Representative
Durham put i, mildly by calling it an
architectural mons,rosity. Represen-
tatlvc Rogers referred to IT as cross
between car stable and a union
depot. Mr.. Springer thought it was
ugly enough to be blown up by dyna.
mite. while Mr.. Cannon admired the
structure very much and MIR. MILAN
said he rather liked it,
Senator ingalls,, of Kansas, predicts
that the senate will undo some of the
work recently done by the house when
that grave and august body gets a
chance. He referred to the bill passed
by the house prohibiting pool-seling.
book making. betting on sports. cleo
lions or other events, and gambling of
all kinds in the District of Columbia.
There Was spirited debate in the
house At the time. Representative
Hemphill, Of South Carolina, said
that every state had law of this kind,
and as We were Christian nation the
people of the District Of Columbia
should receive as much moral help as
people elsewhere. Representative
Adams, of New York, who undertook
to point out the fatality of such laws,
asked if they were not uniformly
evaded in every state. The South
Carolinian was not prepared to deny
the allegation, but Contended that the
law was good, and that because peo-
pie were bad enough to break it was
no reason why it should not be made.
Representative Barbour, of Vir
ginia. was also opposed to placing
legislative restrictions upon horse rae
ing and other such pastimes. He held
that it was of national importance,
that we want 10 cultivate that noble
animal--thc horse. But is this bill
against horse racing or against bettingT
asked Mr.. Weaver, Of Iowa. sob
everybody knows" said Mr.. Barbour
THAT YOU can; keep mp horse racing
witnout the interest that betting
gives" But the house passed the bill
AGAINST sports, and that Is the one that
Senator Ingalls, says the senate vii
/ Kill when il comes before it. We are
inclined TO be very wicked on the
senate side OF the capital, said he, anc
the duritanlcal ideas that seek TO take
root in Washington will not be fos
tered much by our treatment, He
holds that people have right to dc
as they please with their money, bu
it is to be hoped that he is mistaken
as to the sentiment of the senate or
this subject.
So many interesting and importan
events have occurred in Washington
and SO many distinguished people hav.
lived and died here. that it is at las
suggested thar houses and spots o
historical interest be designated il
some way. 1t is rather strange tina
the city fathers have not attended t.
this before. 1t would add greatly Il
the interest and pleasure of visitors tc
Washington If tablets were placed up
on the walls of houses similar to tina
marking the house into which Abra
ham Lincoln was borne to breathe hi
last. For instance: Con this spo
George Washington built house in
tended for his winter home" eli
tins house died Henry Clay" 9Th,
residence of Daniel Webster" 9TH,