The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-07-04
RANDOM NOTES.


| had conversation with Southern senator yes.
tcrday about the proposed monumental bridge to
connect Washington with the National Cemetery nj
Arlington. lie was enthusiastic In behalf Of the
project, wishing, however, to make II a monument
to commemorate the reunion OF the sections rather
than as national honor TO any Individual citizen
lie expressed himself quite freely as to the unsghty
character OF the bridge approaches to Washington
"rhey are unworthy Of the country" said he, "and
no more such unsighy structures should be erected
by the United States. The whole people OF tho
country are willing to do all that is necessary "a
make their Capital worthy OF the nation In this
respect there has been marked change In tho past
few years. II IL getting TO he much rs II was before
the war, when appropriations for public purposes In
the District OF Columbia bore large proportion
Of the annual budget, although the needs OF the
Government were proportonately So much
smaller"
apo you Object asked, "to making this brldg,
a monument TO lincoln and Grant,"
"Not at ALL" was the reply, "f that Is desired. In
fact, would much rather the proposed monuments
to Lincoln aud Grant should take that shape than tC
have unsghtly monuments OF Lincoln and Grant
erected In the public parks. But would suggest az
a memorial to Lincoln aud Grant the establishment
OF public parks-the one proposed on Rock Creek,
tor Instance TO be called Lincoln Park and the Other
on the reclaimed Potomac Flats to be called Gran,
Park, and both to be provided with monumental
structures. Then would dedicate the proposed
bridge across the Potomac TO the reunion OF the
North and South, and make It grand structure
worthy OF these reunited peoples Hut | shall no,
object for one to the construction OF this monumen
tai bridge IN honor OF Lincoln and Grant"
"what are the prospects Of passing the hill for a
bridge across the Anacostia at the eastern terminus
OF Pennsylvania avenue ~ asked q member Of
House Committee on the District OF Columbia.
"very poor, indeed, for this session." was the
reply. "rhe committee could not get the necessary
Information until late In the session. II we could
have mfi,clent time set apart by the House for
District business, am confident we could pass Il.
put the so-caed steering committee will not give
us show, fear The fact Is the steering commit.
tee will virtually control the order OF business OF
the House. 1t was bad enough when the Speaker
assumed to dictate practically what business should
be acted on. Bnt 1t will he still with three
directors In place Of one. do not expect, however
to live TO see the day when the House cmanclpates
itself, and puts It In the power OF majority to act
on such business as 1t pleases There Ia too much
acquescence In the rule OF King Caucus on matters
which have no relation to party policy"
The "stecring committee" mt only proposes to
say what bills shall he considered by the House, hut
what shall be the size of the appropriations these
bills shall carry. AT least 1t has been said, with the
air OF truth, since 1t comes direct from OF the
committee, that they propose to permit the House
to consider the bill for increasing the Navy, with an
understanding that the amount appropriated shall
not go beyond three and half millions. On Wed.
uesiay last member OF the Naval Committee OF the
House told me that his committee were not party
to any such arrangement.
"If the chairman OF any committee has made any
such arrangement with Messrs. Carlisle, Morrison,
and Randall said this gentleman, the Is promising
more than he can perform. Some OF us think
900 Is rather too small sum to provide for the
reconstruction Of a new Navy. The amount an.
nually appropriated for this purpose should he much
larger. ], for one, don't feel bound by the action Of
the steering committee when they go outside OF
the powers our caucus gave them, which was 10
provide for the order OF business, and nothing else
wonder what my friend Randall would say II the
majority of the steering committee. Of which he Ia
a member, should agree TO have the House consider
the tariff question, with the understanding that the
Morrison bill should be passed line for limo as ii
came from the Ways and Means Committee:
guess he wonld be the frst steer to kick"
The bill to authorize the assignment OF officers OF
the Army and Navy attaches to our legations In
foreign countries has gone with a favorable report
to the House calendar, where 1t viii probably stick
like well.preseryed ny IN snbteranean amber.
There Is no possible objection to this measure.
Why then entomb II In the House ca.endar.
"That ia the way we have OF doing business, !" said
member OF the House TO me. "Unless bill Is per.
sstently pressed by personal interests 1t is dificult
In the frat instance, to get committee to consider
II at all, and when the committee does consider IT,
they think they have done their full legislative dnty
when they report 1t favOraby and have It put the
House calendar. shall cndeavor to get this bill be-
fore the House In some way, II possible" F"
on motion Of Mr.. Reed, OF Maine, Mr.. Randalrs
new legislation on the Sundry Civil hill, providing
for the establishment of an Administration organ,
by combining certain Official advertising to news
paper. TO be designated by the President, was
stricken out of the bill.
Mr.. Ranney's minority report OH the Pan Electric
business IL filled with statements that are untrue and
with censnres based upon sGch untruths II Ia q
wonder that his Republican associates were willing
to sign It. But "everythng is fair" In politics as sin
lover seems to he the modern doctrine.
The action OF the House extending the annual ap-
prOpriations for ten days only was absurd Every
one who voted for II knew that Congress would not
pass the appropriation bills In ten days.
The nutter In Department circles about tho failure
OF the House and Senate to extend the apprOprla-
tions before the commencement of the new fiscal
year was entirely uncalled for The various officers
Of the Government as has been repeatedly decided,
do not exist by OF annual appropriations, but
ny reason OF existing laws constituting the same
Having once created an ONCE, the only way to dis
pense with II Ia by Affirmative legislation. This
question was once for all decided In 1879, when
Congress- failed to appropriate for the Army, at a
special session CALLED for that purpose And this