The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1886-01-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.
rr''a oar Regular Correspond, o.


WASHINGTON. Jan. I5tl IssG.
For the first time during the pr.cnt ses-
sion of Congress the House of lprcs.n.
tatives has, this week. settled sowro work.
since Congress met nearly six wees ago. it
has spent the time discussing nc rules.
waiting for the announcement of,ommit-
tees, and voting to adjourn ever day or
two tor recess of greater or L.. length.
While thus engaged. nearly four thousand
bills and resolutions were laid non the
Speakers table, and are now axiting the
action of the various commits. Just
think of four thousand bills in tie House
alone. already. and more to comon every
Monday. throughout the session.
This ,lood Of bills reminds msthat the
rules have not been changed half,s much
as Is necessary yet, and that no atse needs
investigation so much as Congss itself
About three-fourths of these billare little
,.iaasaTes and petty private CLANS which
should never go to Congress a all. No
attention could possibly be paid :, half of
them under any circumstances. bu it is an
iniquitous waste of the pepole's tine tor
Congress even to read the ttlesof the
measures.
Senator Hoar has proposed that he time
for the messing of Congress sail be
changed, SO as to give more yeks for
needed legislation, especially tprng the
second session, which meets on The first
Monday in December and adjotr,s by law
on the ensuing fourth of March. congress
never sits more than ten month i'm all. |
though paid for t~. full years o. service.
Sfiil. much more work could b accom-
plshcd in this length of time if nembers
would attend to the duties for witch they |
are paid by remaining at ;heir ,ies 5 during
business hears. And This abseneeism i,
The one To which | referred abovs and for
which some remedy will have o be de-
nanded SOONER or later The jarna!, oi
he SENATE and House show eulable neg.
eot in this respect, and prove tina the most
Important appropriation bills IRE some
lines passed without the recorded presence
If a quorum in either body.
'"''' f"ii'iS. as IL Is called, liza device
or neutralizing votes, and shelteing our
tates'nen from the penalty of losing their
'ly Tor non-attendance at the daily .essions.
his plan of lodging the record lasbecome
istre,singly prevalent. When vote is in
rogress in either branch of Congress.
enator or Representative will oren say,
am iaired with Mr." That i, to
ny if MI votes yes. he votes no. and
ice versa.
ora'ory has been expended during the
eek, on the subjects of national monuments
nd the army, in the Senate. and on silver
both houses. Senator Henderson of
ehraska' spoke in behalf of army reform.
'nator Blair of n. H., proposed that
onuments be erected to Abraham Lin.
i'm and General Grant. Senator Coke. of
exas. Brown OF Georgia. Vsnce, of North
'rolina, Pueh of Alabama and representa-
re Reagan, of Texas. all added their con-
button to the fund of Information on the
ver question. All of them differ from
e President with regard to money, and all
vocated continued coinage. The agta-
IN of the silver quest on is likely to ON
lue in both houses d Congress for some
'eks yet, if not, at intervals, through the
tire session. A late canvass among Sena-
rs and Members however. indicates that
measure calculated to interrupt the COIN
e of silver dollars is likely to pass either
e Senate or House.
Moral ideas are notably popular in the
nate now; great deal of moral lesis a.
Ii having been proposed this session.