The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1886-07-15
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. July ~, 1885.
To the Editor Of the Emporia NEWS.
WAsHINGToN, D g., July 12.-The pat
riotic citizens of the district celebrated the
110th birthday of the nation on two days
this year-Sundsy and Monday. Many of
the churches, instead OF the usual Sabbath
service, had q Fourth of July meeting
Sunday evening. The principal features
of the gatherings we're the patriotic utter
ances of many senators and representatives.
The city was as quiet as could be imagined
on Monday. The big government build
ings were locked, and all the department
trains to take them down the river or into
the country. Nearly all the heads Of de-
partments were out Of the city. The only
sign Of life was at the south end Of the car-
itol, where the house, without symptom
of patriotic emotion, held persplring ses-
sion, grinding away upon the general de
flciency bill. An opportunity to see the
house in session was about the only thing
that afforded any satisfaction TO the crowd
of rustics who were allured TO the city by
one-half railroad fare. The Law prohibit
ing the combustion Of powder in any form
was rigIdly enforced. The only Eedeeming
feature was fine display of fireworks a
night in the White House lot, Which ct
tracted an enormous crowd.
Time is fleeing, but our legislative So
Ions make but slow progress IN hghtening
the burden of legislation which was COM
mitted 70 their charge last December, not
withstanding their daily and nightly SEES
slOns TO dispose of business. All idea OF
NOnoEdoRfneR AM Tnn ne hills
the increase OF the navy, has been gwen
up. ADD the idea OF tariff legislation or even
tariff debate has been abandoAed, a. Was
indicated by resolution, presented TO the
house by MT. Morrison, eskIng TO have q
day fixed for the consideration of bills re-
ported from the committee on ways and
means, ana now on the calendar. not to In
clude any bill raising revenue. It lie
great pity that 30 many bills row upon the
calendar, to which no objection possible
could be raised, should fsIl to pass because
the way Is blocked by more Questionable
bills which stand higher on the list.
The president continues to be flooded
with pension bills which are rushed
through congress. During this session
565 special penslon acts have become Law
while 90 have been vetoed. The action Of
the president in returning 30 many bills
without his signature hes greatly exaspeT
ated the pension legislatoFe, but that the
president Is supported by the majority of
The members In the stand he hes taken lie
very apparent. Il is taken for granted IN
congress that when bill Is vetoed and
nothing more Is heard in regard TO it from
the committee whose duty lt Is 70 report
it TO their respective houses, the yeso is
acqliesced In. and thus the precedent Is
sustained. There has not been more than
three vetoed p51sIou bills reported back
TO the house, ana not any more 20 the sen
ate, and a. yet none have bean passed
over the veto. The house is Determined
70 sustain the president in the stand he
has taken, and1t Is pFObsble that not 3
single bill will be passed over the veto.
Several congressman have recently az
pressed thsaR discrimination not 70 accept
Q renCmfnatIon, but meme have created
| euch wide expression Of regret and SOY
/ row as the announcement made by ex.
| Governor Curtin, the war govt rnor OF
Pennsylvania, that this would be the last
session spent by hin IN the house OF
congress. The chief reasons assigned Tor
/ this discrimination are On account OF Ole
age and the incessant opportunities OF
| off1ce-seekers, who harFass and annoy him
| from morning 10 night.
The printers who do ell Of Uncle Ssa's
| printing are unusually hsppy just now.
| owing 10 tbs warm aHd earnest ec&lon Of
the h0usE COMMITTEES aon printing Ehs
clerks in ali OF the departments are al
lowed Thirty deys leave IN each yesf with
pay Hitherto the employees IN the gov
eminent printing Office have hsd no prIxI-
/ lege of this kind Congress has passed
and the president has signed bill giving
/ them fifteen days leave with pay. Ina
/ lady employees sent magnificent floral
offerings 60 the capitois and hed thea
Il placed ou the deske Of the committees OF
| the senate and house who we're largely IN
strumeatal In securing the passage Of the
measure. n.