The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1886-04-01

From Our Regular Correspondent

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tom that has been criticised by the
whole country. refer to the custom
of junseting funeral excursions when
ever Senator or Representative hap
pens to die. 1t is one against which
public sentiment has long manifested
itself. Yet the junketing goes on. 1t
is estimated that the expense of trans
porting the remains of Senator Miller
to California by special train and send
ing with it Congressional committee
which will return in the same way,
will he $4,000. The expense of the
funeral train and committee that have
gone with the deceased Representative
Hahn to New Orleans, will cost at
least half that amount.
One member Of Congress has had
tn. courage to declare himself against
this senseless way of spending the
peoples money. 1t was Mr.. Oates, a
ore-armed Democrat from Alabama.
He offered resolution to amend the
House rules SO as to prohibit the
appointment of funeral committees
to accompany the dead bodies Of
members beyond the limits of Wash
ington City. If it should be adopted,
ther the proposed plan Of con6ning
the delivery Of eulogies over deceased
members to special Sunday sessions,
would be next In order.
It is carrying the matter further than
either duty or good taste demands to
lay aside the nations business for
a whole day when members death is
announced, and for another whole day
to honor his memory with panegyric
oratory. No patriotic member of
either House Of Congress would wish
to have his demise stop public business
or desire a junketing expedition to
celebrate it.
Death has been busy in the Forty
Ninth Congress, having taken already
two Republican and two Democratic
members from the lower House, and
from the Senate, one Republican Sen
atOr and Democratic Vice President.
The sudden death of Ex-Governor
Hahn Of Louisiana, prominent Re-
publican Congressman from that State,
was ascribed to the bursting Of blood
vessel from violent coughing. In his
private parlor at Williard's Hotel, he
was found outstretched on the floor,
lifeless, attired in his night robe, and
covered with blood.
Among other changes proposed in
Congress is one substituting the thir-
teenth of April for inauguration day
in place of the fourth Of March. 1t
is held that the latte, day, which was
selected by the continental Congress
for the installation of the new govern
ment, now causes public inconven-
ience by curtailing and limiting the
second session of every Congress.
The first President was inaugurated
on the thirteenth Of April and it is
proposed that the one hundredth an
niversary Of the Inauguration of George
Washington be commemorated by the
Inauguration Of his successor in 1880
upon the same day, and that this shall
be the day hereafter for the beginning
of successive administrations.
Interest in the Senate debate on the
''pipers" question had tagged this
week until sharp tilt occurred be-
tween Senators Beck of Kentucky and
Edmunds Of Vermont which gave new
life to it. MIR. Edmunds accused Mr..
Beck of betraying Senate secrets by
alluding to the Duskin case in open
session, and question of honor was
finally raised between these two Scna-
tors. Even the Washington oilers had
begun to consider the debate a bore,
and the Senate galleries were compara-
lively empty on Tuesday when Sena-
tor Cullom took the floor to reinforce
Mr.. Edmunds. The Illinois Senator
read his speech from beginning to end,
and received but little interested
attention. No new points were brought
out, the line of argument followed
being that hitherto presented by Mr..
Edmunds. Senator Maxey of Texas,
who followed on the Democratic side,
held that the object Of the present
fight was to keep Republican Office
holders in possession Of their places,
even against the will of the Admins
,ration and of the people who put the
Administration in power.
The President affords but little ma
terial for gossip in his ceaseless appli
cation to his duties. He continues to
find time, however. to come down into
the east room for a few minutes three
times a week and shake hands with
the people who have gathered there
for this purpose. Among the cards
left at the White House to-day was
the following: 81. +. Newman. |
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