New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-05-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, May 81, 1886.

are waiting anxiously for news of their
denomination. Quite number of them,
it is thought, are doomed to disappoint-
ment, and the thought of their dilapi-
dated fences at home. makes them anx-
ious for an early adjournment.
The passage of three appropriation
bills by the House last week made them
hopeful of an early release and Speak
er Carlisle is quoted as saying that it is
possible for Congress to adjourn by the
25th of June. That will be less than
six weeks. The prevailing opinion,
however, is that Congress will not get
away before August. Work is far be.
hind, and while many members would
like to be among their constituents,
others want time to make Congression-
al records for the approaching can
vass.
A good joke was perpetrated upon
Senator Vance by Senators Kenna
and Salisbury. On entering the Senate
chamber Thursday morning these
gentlemen saw a beautiful basket of
flowers upon the North Carolina Sena-
tors desk, and before the latter came
in, removed it to the desk of Senator
Beck. When Mr.. Vance entered, they
called his attention to the Kentucky
Senator's '.ftoral tribute Oh, yes,
remarked MIR. Vance, in his disrespect-
full, jovial way: Beck bought it some
where. That's the way all these fell
lows get flowers. Mr.. Kenna suggested
that Mr.. Vance examine the card at
tached to the basket. When he dscov.
cred that the flowers were for himself,
MIR. Vance took. possession of item
with the remark that there were excep-
tons to all rules.
Representative Kelly, of Pennsyl-
vania, who is called the Father of the
House because he is the Oldest member
in it and has served through more Con
crosses than any other man, was talk
ing about the general department Of
| Congressman now, and away back at
the beginning of the war. He says
there is more courtesy among members
of the present day, they wear better
clothes, and there is less intcmperence
When he first came to Congress there
was scarcely q committee room which
| had not a full supply OF liquors. There
was an abundant supply of whiskey in
the Office of the clerk Of the House, and
a regular bar was kept in the basement
! restaurants, while there was then no
such name as '.cold tea" used for whis-
key straight. There was also more in
temperance on the floor of the House,
and the drinking about the clerks Of
| flee became so common that John w.
Forney, when he wanted to be Secre-
| tary of the Senate, had to make q
pledge to Vice President Williams
and Charles Sumner that no liquors
would be kept in his office, before they
| would vote for him.
But as 10 oratory in Congress, the
venerable Pennsylvania does not
speak SO hopefully. He thinks it is
on the decline The business of Con-
gress has changed of late years, and it
is now done more by the consultation
of leading members, by committee, and
by caucus. Speeches do not have much
influence on legislation now, and this
influence seems to grow less from year
to year.
The Senate has passed bill to APP
propriate from the Treasury 100000
for monument to Abraham Lincoln.
Another has passed for monument to
General Grant to cost $250,000. 1t has
been suggested that this money would
be spent in a more appropriate way if
put into memorial bridge across the
Potomac, to bear the names of these
good and great men. 1t IS held that
the carrying out of such a plan would
be a climax to our great river improve
ments, that are, one day, in spite OF
log rolling River and Harbor Commit
tees, to be the pride OF the nation.
If our late ex-Presidents Lincoln and
Grant could now be consulted inregard
to this matter, there is little doubt as
to what their decisions would be. A
great, useful structure like u bridge
from the Capital Of the nation across
the Potomac to the soldiers national
cemetery ut Arlington Heights would
be q grateful preparation of their
memories. 1t would be far more sensi
bic than an exhibition OF bronze OF
| marble, in some uncomfortable atli-
tudr, to stand for ages in the wind ant
rain and heat and cold, and to be cIiti