Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-07-29
From Our Regular Correspondent.
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, July 10, 1886.

WY i"' ASSN'
Consistency is jewel, rarely found
among Legislators. Representatives in Con-
gress who belong to the party which prates
Of economy and reform, continue to draw
thousands of dollars for mileage, while they
point with pride to their votes against PEN
sions for soldiers. The same men boast of
their votes against the ime-honored Gus
tom of a months extra allowance to en-
ployes of the Capital. The latter get no
mileage, and have to pay their way to and
from home TO work and vote for the elec-
ton Of members Of Congress.
| am not advocating the months extra
pay, but why should these self.styled watch
dogs of the Treasury cut and slash at the
little bonuses of those around them, and re-
serve all good things for themselves. They
have recently voted to reduce the mileage of
army officers from eight to four cents mile,
which is well enough, foT that is consider
ably more than it costs them to travel. But
the mileage rate of Senators and Represen-
tatiyes remains at 90 cents mile. And
then again if the Holmans and Resgans and
Randalls of the House of Representatives
would exhibit the same Roman virtue in re-
gard to appropriations which affect their
own districts and their friends, they would
be more entitled to the respect of obseryant
people. The same men who vote against
everything which is not going to benefit
their own constituents or their own pockets
have just voted to put in deficiency bill on
appropriation for the payment of Texas
war claim.
1t is said that many virtuous Congress
men, who draw mileage, travel on free
passes, and that some Who pose as ecopo-
mists get all their stationery from the com
mittee-rooms. and then draw in cash the
1925 allowed each member for stationery
during the session.
No one knows when Congress will get
through and 60 home, but no one now thinks
it will be before the middle of August 1t
is the same old story with regard to appro-
pration bills, Tney must be disposed Of,
and they were held back and then rushed
through the Senate and House, TO be acted
upon finally by conferees. Legislation by
conference committee has become part Of
our constitutional system.
1t is thought the Pres s.dent'o veto message
will excite a prolonged discussion before ad-
journmenr. and there are number Of other
questions that will consume time The
Morrison Surplus Revenue Resolution will
take up several days, OIeomargarne, and
Land Grants forfeitures viii be pressed r.
attention. while something will be done '5
reach the Mexican and the one arm and ore
leg pension bills, as well as t,a, for the ,t-
crease Of the Naval establishment.
lncensed claimants and their agents who
have been hanging around the halls Of Con
gress doing all in their power to hayr Their
private schemes pushed through, are G.,ap-
pointed and indignant now. The SerA'c,
they say. has treated them fairly, bat the
House has entirely neglected them. Having
failed in an attempt to have ii,tie Of the re-
naming time Of the session allotted to pri-
vate bills, they decided TO hold an lndigua-
ton meeting at the National Hotel on Sun
day morning TO be repeated until Congrrs,
will heed their cry. Al, the disappointed
claimants in Washington were invited 10 al
tend the meeting and il was worth going 10
see whether one had claim or not. One
very indignant claimant said I'VE want to
teach Congressman that they are the SER
wants and not the masters Of the people"
"Iet them jndignate." was Speaker CarIlslc's
comment when he heard Of the meeting
White House annals are dull bow, and
but little news need be booked for from il
until after the summer vacation now I'M
pending The old mansion is undergoing
It's annual overhauling. The carpets and
curtains on the lower floor have all been re-
moved, cleaned, and stored in the state din
ing room the carpets al a cost of four
cents a yard, while the work on the curtains
was done for fifty cents a window White
mating has been placed on the parIor floors,
bat the windows Will remain without dra-
perry during the summer. The carpets have
not ye, been taken up in the official part Of
the house
When the President and Mrs. Cleveland
go away in september for their vacation, it
is intended to giyr the exterior Of The White
House a thOrpuub rpuairfIUp uhtrh has mt
terror Of the house looks decidedly dingy in
the daylight, and needs to be literally fresh
ened up. Nothing new has been bought for
it since Mr.. Arthur left it IN complete and
beautiful order. The wear and tear upon
the carpets during season is very heavy.
Congress approprlates $4,000 a year far
keeping the White House in order.