The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-06-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.

w ASHlNGTON, JUNE LIZ 1OOOs-1H6i
late vice president Hendricks made the
remark that the presence of Mr.. Hol-
man in congress was worth $25, 000, 200 |
a year to the U. S. government. 1t is |
thought that Mr.. Holman and two 9TH |
er members (Mr. Springer and Mr..
Henley saved the country thrice that
amount last week. If it had not been
for the presence of these veteran menu
bers pom the democratic side, the Pa
cific r. r. lobby would have succeeded
in passing through the house one of the
most outrageous pieces OF fraud which
any lobby has ever attempted upon the
government. The present congress is
weak from the fact that many of its
members are raw and inexperienced in
national affairs. Whenever an impor-
tant public question comes up, they
have no resources of ready infor nation
to draw from, When members like
Holman, Springer and Henley show an
aptitude for public business, their con-
stituents will act wisely in keeping
them in office, no matter how clamor-
Gus popular and aspiring ounces may
be for their places. Green members,
no matter how good may be their in
tentions, are utterly valueless in secur-
ing honest legislation against power
full and disciplined lobby. The Pacific
r. r. people had planned to push their
extension bill through congress and
had 80 adroitly manipulated the mem
bers, that if it had not been for the
presence of Messrs. Springer, Holman
and Henley, they would have succeed
ed. Their propositian to extend the
payment of the debt of the Pacific r :.
X. was put in such Elusive form that
it made direct appeal to the members
who were not acquainted with recent
Pacific railroad history. The argument
that the U. S, would have better secu-
rIty for its debt, and in this way alone
would the government secure anything
was well calculated to deceive. The re-
port of the committee was unanimous
and this was strong argument in its
favor, The lobby has circulated reports
that the administration was in favor OF
the bill ;that Secretary Lamar approved
| it; and that Mr.. Thurman himself has
declared in favor OF it. These false
statements, made without the slightest
official authority, seem to have been
swallowed by many members without
question. Neither Mr.. Springer nor
Mr.. Holman knew that the Pacific r.
r. bill would come up. The committee
reported it without warming but
these gentlemen were able at once to
and learning sufficient argument to
turn the house against the most gigan-
tic scheme that has been proposed for
years. The measure involved the re-
funding of debt of $109 10000 This
debt will be due in eleven years. The
Pacific Il. 4. committee attempted to
rush this bill through without informa-
ton and without reports in the brief
tine OF four hours. Mr.. Springer made
the best speech that he ever made in
the house. He at first appeared to be
the only member to fully understand
the questions presented. He was with |
out preparation; but during the speech |
of the chairman of the committee in |
favor of the bill, he got the Thurman |
Act, and copy of the Pacific r. r. bill. |
He is very ready arithmetician; and |
during the delivery of the chairman's |
speech, he figured the money that
would come to the government under
9 measure, He found to his surprise
that the passage OF the extension bill
would cost the government $4,000, 00G
His clear and forcible statement of facts
impressed the house with the discover
les made by him during the thirty min
utes in which he has prepared his ar
gument.
Mr.. Holman's efforts, however, must
not be moderated, and patriotic demo-
Gratis should never forget Mr.. Hendricks
of him. The great Indiana op-
poser of theft, waste, and extravaganza
ls lways at his post. He has thor
ough knowledge of all public questions
and he very rarely makes a mistake.
His presence in the house is standing
menace to the numberless cons piracies
10 burglarize the public treasury. He
IS cordially hated by all who are try
ng to get their hands into the public
vaults. 1t is common for members of
to say 81 would present bill Y
Tor this or that appropriation, but Hol-
nan would be sure to kill it with an I
objection" He stands alone, uninflu- !
snced by venality, Private, social and Q
domestic matters do not touch him. G
this debate was sprung upon
him as a surprise. he displayed a thor
'ugh knowledge of the minutest de-
ails concerning the Pacific railroads. b
md was not equaled by any member of t
he special committee that has had this Il
ublect under consideration during the =
'ntire session,