Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-01-23

Great Number of Bills-The Pair
ing Business.

A'es ue"iiS DIX WEEKS ago, IL
has spent the time discussing new rules,
waiting for the announcement Of COM
mitees, and voting to adjourn every day
orr Two for a recess of crater or less length.
While thus engaged, nearly four thou.
sand bills and resolutions were laid upon
the speakers table, and are nov await.
ing the action of the various committees.
Just think of four thousand bills IN the
house alone, already, and more to come
on every Monday drought the session.
This flood Of bills reminds me that
the rules have not been changed half IS
much as is necessary yet, and that no
abuse needs investigation 80 much as
congress itself. About three fourths of
these bills + little measures which
should never 50 to congress at all. No
attention could possibly be paid to half
ofthem under any circumstances, hut it
Is an iniquitous waste of the peoples
time for congress even to read the titles
Of the measures.
Senator Hoar has proposed that the
time for the meeting of congress shall be
changed. SO as to give more weeks for
needed legislation, especially during the
second session, which meets on the
FIRST Monday in December and adjourns
by law on tho ensuing fourth Of March.
Congress never sits more than ten
months in all. though paid f,rtwo .tull
years of service. Still, much more work
could be accomplished in this length Of
time if members would attend to the
duties forawhich they are paid by re-.
manning at their desks during business
hours. And this growing abuse Of ab-
senteeism is the one which I.refer.ed
above, and for which some remedy will
have to lie demanded. sooner or latter.
The Journals of the senate and house
show culpable neglect in this respect,
and prove That the most important
appropriation bills are sometimes passed
without the recorded presence Of .
quorum in either body.
Then pairing" as i, i. called. i. a de.
We" for neutralizing Vi ,e., and shelter.
Ing II statesmen from the penalty .,
losing th.ir pay for n>n.attenlance n
III" daily session. Tni, plan for lodging
tbs record has become. dis;r-ssinslv
prevalent. When 4 vote ia IN p-oyr.s.
in either branch Of congress, i senate
or representatives will often s.y. II am
paired with Mr.. -." That is to saw
1t NJ. - votes yes, he votes no, and
wee versa.
Oratory has been expended during ths.
week on the subject. Of national monu.
men,s and the army. in the senate, and
on silver in both houses. Senator Man.
derson 81 Netaaska, spoke in behalf OF
army reform. Senator Blair of New
Hampshire. proposed that monument.
be erected to AhrAhm Lincoln and Gen.
eral Grant. Senators Coke of Texas,
Brown of Georgia. Vance Of North Car.
olina. Pugh Of Alabama. and represen.
tative Regain of Texas, all added their
contribution to the fund of information
on the silver question. All Of them diff.
fer from the president with regard to
money, and all advocate continued coin
age. The agitation of the silver question
IL likely to continue in both houses oil
congress for some weeks yet, if not, a,
intervals through the entire session. A
late canvass among senators and mem.
bers,h ever, indicates that no measure
calculated to interrupt the coinage oil
silver dollars is likely to pass either the
senate or house.
Moral ideas are notably popular in
the senate now; a great deal Of moral
legislation having been proposed thi,
session. Senator Plum Of Kansas Ia 20.
ing to ask the senate to provide for a new
article Of war, which shall forbid any Of
fcer Of the army, and private soldier a,
well, to gamble for any stake, whethe,
W NukN VI VI AOAHbs
Senator Blair, who is addicted to for
mulating measures for:the promotion o.
morality. is now preparing a bill against
whisky and tobacco. He proposes tina,
special instructors be employed in tn.
schools Of the District Of Columbia te
demonstrate to the children the physical
injury which arises from the use o,
liquor or tobacco in any Of their forms
He proposes to have this novel plan tried
here FIRST and If it works satisfactorily
he hopes to see it adopted by the othe,
states.
The senate has confirmed . long list o
the presidents important recess nom
inati"ns without orposilion. -6peciaI
cases will doubtless arouse controversy
Tut most Of the names will go through
without objection. In adopting thu
disniied course the republican senator
fortify themselves in . way I o reject
consistently nominations in cases wter.
they feel called up,n to do so.
A Walking Skeleton.
Mr.. E. Springer, of Mechanicshurg
Pa, writes: IL was afflicted with lun,
fever and abscass on lungs, and reduced
TO y walking skeleton. Got a fret
trial bottle Of DR.. Kings New Discover,
for consumption. winch did me so muct
good Thar bought q dollar bottle