The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-03-05
Washington letter.
ttrom our regular correspondent)
WASHINGTON. March /. 1886.


WASHINGTON, March /, 1886.
With telephone Investigations and coun-
ter Investigations in the House of Repre-
sentatives, resolutions condemnatory ofthe
Administration policy and counter reso-
buttons in the Senate, with partisan de-
bates, personal differences and daily spats
and twits in both Houses, our law makers
have but little time to devote to their real
business.
When substitute was offered for the
Hanback, inquiry into the Pan Electric
affair voice from West Virginia was the
only one raised against it. It was that of
Representative Gibson, who was unwilling
to see the House drift into an investigation
which could bring no respect to it, no con-
fidence to the country, and no good to any
human being. In the first place there had
been no charge against any official that
would justify trial. He then attacked
Congressman Pulitzer (of the New York
World who was not in his seat at that
time. Mr. Pulitzer, he said, an editor of
a paper, did not see fit to attack the Attor-
ney General in an open. honest, manly
way, like representative should have
DONE but undertook to retreat behind the
irresponsible columns of his newspaper for
the purpose of creating a scandal. At this
point Mr.. Gibson was reminded that the
gentleman from New York was not pres
ent. II cannot help that, he ought to be
here" replied Mr.. Gibson. 'If Mr.. Gar
land is to be assailed, continued he, ''let
him be assaulted with the certainty of a
chicken thief. Let him be assailed with
the manliness which the character of his
reputation deserves. But do not under
stand Mr.. Gibson to be champion of the
Administration. He declared that as far
as cleanliness and honesty were concerned,
said that he had very little regard for its
politics. He was simply protesting against
Congress drifting into an investigation that
could do neither party any good. He had
no doubt the Pan Electric men courted a
thorough investigation, knowing that they
were honest and upright. But, added
he, 'are we here to investigate every man
who wants his character established, or to
investigate every man whose character
some one else wants to blacken."
While the Forty Ninth Congress may
not work as industriously as it might, it
enjoys the reputation of being the finest
looking and best dressed body that ever
graced the HALL An eminent divine. who
recently visited Washington, spent good
deal of time at the Capitol. He reports a
higher type of men there now than ever
before. And indeed the people have many
representatives here who honestly, faith
fully, modcstly, and earnestly attend to
their duties. Accidental slips of temper
and irregularities i'll Senatorial and Con-
gressional circles are certain to be reported
over the land. The patience industry, ur-
banty and self sacrifice of scores of men,
who are wearing their lives out in the
committee rooms or in other trying posi-
tons here, are not appreciated or known
by the country. a Republican member
cetiously remarked that the fcryid man
ner in which the blind chaplain of the
House offers daily invocation indicates that
he sees what appears to be invisible to the
maiority-the imperative necessity for
earnest prayer in a Democratic House.
Dr. Milburn seems to have made an inn
preston on the rather unusual congrega-
ton over which he was called to preside.
Formerly no attention was paid to the
morning prayer, which is always brief,
simple and direct Dir. Milbun visits the
Members of tho House as other pastors
visit their congregations. Quite number
of the Congressman are Catholics, with
whom the Chaplain is as popular as with
the Professionals. Forty years ago, DR..
Milburn, first OBLIGATED as Chaplain of the
House. Ten years later he WAS appointed
of thirty years finds him in the office again,
commanding the respect of that body to
an extent that is considered remarkable.
The President is gradually fulfilling the
seasons social programme, which was so
much retarded by several weeks of mourn
ing The social event of the week at the
White House vas the military reception in
honor Of the army and navy officers. 1t
was brilliant affair in several ways. The
officers were in full uniform, and since even
ensgns wear epaulcttes now, there was an
unusual amount of glitter and tinscl.
The butterflies of fashion have only about
ten days more in which to flutter before the
penitential season begins. Their weary,
faltering feet are going at the reckless
speed OF five teas in an afternoon, and six
receptions in the same evening.
WESTON.
Patents Granted.