The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1886-05-13
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS.
WASHINGTON. D. c., May 10. 1850.


To The ESfto, effhe Herald:
resolution has been introduced in Con.
gress looking to a proper observance of Dec-
Grafton Day. The Both of May. The Grand
Army Posts too are moving, and the noble
dead are not forgotten by the lapse of time
The historic trees OF Arlington-the former
home of Lee, and now the great National
Cemetery-are shooting forth their tender
leaves of spring to clothe the silent city of
the dead in immortal green. Other ceme-
teries in the vicinity of Washington are Wis.,
tied on the 3Oih of May by patriotic and
grateful citizens, but the District turns out
en- masso to shower emblems of love on the
graves of the Unknown Dead at Arlington.
No distinction is now made between the
graves OF the Confederate and the Union
braves The same hands strew the May
flowers upon both, and all luminosity IL bur-
led in the graves. A daily register is kept
at this cemetery of all visitors, and a COM
parison shows that nearly as many strangers
visit it as go to Mount Vernon.
Difficulty has already risen In obtaiaing
the desired site for the new library building.
The commission has received offers from
the owners of the property, aud the amount
asked Is 100000. which Is 100000 more than
Congress appropriated for the purchase
Justice Field, of the U. 8. Supreme Court,
wants 81, 900 for his house, which is largely
In excess of its mark ct value. Other owners
have likewise put ON stiff prices. These
gentlemen don't care to sell at any figure as
their residences overlook the beautiful Cap.
itoi park, and will be made the most desir-
able sites in the city for dwellings II the IL
brary is pat upon the square opposite. BY
putting on such big prices 1t Is hoped the
commission Will feel obliged to purchase
the opposite square, which ii appears can be
bought for few Thousand dollars less.
The Senate Committee has repol ted favor
ably the bill providing for a constituf Ional
amendment, changing the date OF Inaugura-
ton d ay. and the beginning ofCongressional
sessions from the 4th of March to the SOth of
April. Congress sees the necessity of longer
sessions in order to get through with the
public business, and hence the proposed
changes.
The Senators are disguised with the in.
creased number OF bills presented for con.
| sidera ton this session. Over 5000 have been
introduced in the Senate alone, and per-
ha ss as many more have been refused In
PRODUCTION. The Senators are averse TO
having bills introduced in the Senate first,
| and will never introduce q bill OF a prt.
waite nature unless strong influence is
brought to bear. If the Senator has no per-
sonal interest in the bills he is always care
| full to say that ii is introduced "by request"
which is printed on the bill. By that
mar his brother Senators now that he Is
| indifferen {, and this claim receives but lit
| Tie consideration
In talking with Senator the other day
he said that The time OF Congress was taken
up in considering private claims that could
| not be established in any court, and ought
not TO considered by Congress. II man
has doubtful claim he comes to Congress
with ii, hoping by personal influence to
| work it through The Senator is in favor OF
| considering no claim over which any court
| of he United States has jurisdiction, He
| thinks that no "favors" should be shown,
| and when bill is referred to him he always
| resolves any doubt in favor of the Govern.
| ment.
The fact that bill has been considered
and reported favorably in the House has
! very little weight in the Senate. The Sem
ators thinks that too May bills are intro
duced in the House to make it possible for
| the members to consider all of them care
| fully, and that even after bill has passed
| the House the merits of it ought TO be closely
| investiga by the Senate. 1t is done
! whenever possible, hut in the last days Of
| every session, then the action of the House
has 10 be accepted as sufficient warrant
| tor passing the bills.
The introduction Of 5000 bills in the
House and 5000 in the Senate. this session.
has resulted in causing both branches of
Congress to consider some feasible plan for
| re Ierring all claims of a private character to
the Court of Claims for settlement. Such a
bill VIII DOUBTLESS pass before the close of
this Congress
The house has had one or two night ses
sions this week and seems disposed to get
off all the business possible in the short
time left. The members who are near
enough to their homes to reach there in a
day or two's ride are getting excused for
ten days or two weeks te GO home to "fiix
up their fences" They all like to be here
| notwithstanding that they are worked
SO hard by their constituents. There are
| :our members of the present House who
could have a denomination if they would
accept it. but they have positively declined.
The declnation of four me nbers to re.
ceive denomination when they could get
1t, is a thing SO rare that it is an item worth
noticing.