The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-08-07
AMAsTE OF TIME.
Tho Champion do.NOthius Congress = Its
Miserable Record.
Special Dispateh 10 the ERttIllQeReeF,

sPeeinl DhpaleN 70 Ws iltHlVeNfeT'
WASHINGTON, D, O., August B,-Those
members Of the House Of Representatives
and Senators who still remain in the city
wear o look OF relleito-day, The long ses-
slon Just closed has been very wearing on
them, Not that they have gotten through
with great amount Of hard work, but
there are q thousand little worriments
which every statesman is subject to out
aide OF his legitimate duties as repre-
sentative Of the people, that combine to
make his life in Washington very tire
some. The almost unprecedented length
Of the session has not only increased the
number OF these irritating things, but has,
together with the hot weather we have
been experiencing, sorely taxed his
strength, This has been the champion
do,nothing Congress OF the age, There ia
vary little In Its record which will COM
mend 1t to the people, Nearly all the i'm
portant measures that were passed by the
Republican Senate were pigeon-holed by
the House, together with some eight or
nine thousand bills originating within that
body.
Among the most important OF these
measures, and one in which the people OF
West Virginia were particularly interested,
was the Interstate Commerce bill. The
Reagan substitute for the Oullom bill
passed the House and q conference COM
mittee was appointed, Action was post
poned until so late In the session that II
was found impossible to como to any con-
cluson before adjournment; 30 the mat.
ter was laid over until next December,
when 1t is thought by the friends Of the
bill that a satisfactory measure eau be
agreed upon. An inspection OF the Re.
cord will serve to satisfy any one that
more than two'thirds Of the time Of Oon.
gress since last December has been occu.
pied by partisan debates which have been
Of no benefit to the country, while needed
legislation, prayed for by the people, who
had been led TO expect great things OF o
Democratic Congress-, was allowed to 20
by default. The citizens ot the country
must hold somebody responsible for the
waste OF time. II will be interesting to
hear the explanations that will be offered
by the individual members OF the major.
ity side OF the House, when they come TO
give an account OF their doings to their
constituents this fall.
In this connection It may be well to call
attention to the hypocritiCal tears that arc
being shed by this majority over the loss
Of their great leader, Samuel ]. Tilden,
whom they delighted to honor as the
greatest Democrat In the United States.
The laCt has been cited that early In the
session Mr.. Tilden wrote letter, which
was intended for their eyes, on the sub
ject Of our coast deiences. The letter
breathed sentiments OF the pirest patriot.
ism, and made suggestions which, had
they been followed ouf, would have made
this Congress great In the eyes OF the peo.
Pile, and given 1t something upon which
TO base q claim for the continued trust OF
the Nation. The letter, however, notwith.
standing the favor with which II was re-
Geived by tho entire country, was treated
with contempt by tho Democratic party
In Congress. Just before his death MI.
Tilden addressed similar letter 10 Sena.
tor Joe Hawley, Republican, and not u
week passed before the Republican Senate
took action upon the suggestion contained
therein.
The West Virginia members have about
all left the city, and from now until after
the conventions will no doubt be busily
engaged in repairing their fences. All
three OF the Democratic members are
confident Of a denomination, while Gen.
Gof Is hoping that his enthusiastic
friends, who seem to be legion, will yet
consent TO accept his oit.repeated deClar-
alton that he will not be q candidate. l
think the true reason Of our Uncle Ben
Wilson's late announcement that he Is
not an applicant for the Democratic nomi-
nation, may Us found in the fact that he
Is not at all sure about which side Of the
political fence that "small but reliable
majority" lies on. Uncle Bon is sArewd
enough to apply to his present situation
the old adage that "a bird in the hand Is
worth two In tie BUSH" He feels safer
In his present position in the Department
Of Justice than he ianCies he would feel
out Of it, as q candidate for Congress In a
district which he knows the Democrats
do not confidently count on carrying.