San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1888-02-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
0from Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Jan. %, 1888.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 1888.
The first two bills passed by the
present Congress- to become laws, the
act in reference to printing and writ
ing on second, third and fourth class
mail matter, and the one which
amends the law in relation to the
Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries
the President having approved
both during the past week. During
the period in question Congress did
little of importance. The Senate
passed the bill to credit and pay to
the several states and territories all
moneys collected under the direct
tax act, approved Aug. 9Th, 1861.
But the chief work of the Senate dur
ing the past week was the confrma-
ton of Mr.. Lamar. In accordance
with custom, the new Associate Jus,
tice was assigned seat on the ex-
treme left of his fellow justices.
The Senate had under considern-
ton the Blair bill, but as usual, reach
ed no conclusion. Messrs. Blair and
Reagan had rather q heated discus
sion over the third question. Sena-
tor Hoar has introduced q service
pension bill, which is the most radical
measure of the kind yet presented,
providing as it does that all officers
and enlisted men who serve in the
army, navy or enlisted corps, includ-
ing regulars and volunteers at any
time during the late civil war, shall
be entitled to n pension of one cent
for each days service, in addition to
any pension granted for disability.
This, in the face of the fact that $751;
100000 will be spent on pensions
this year, and the further fact, that
the House Committee calls for $780,
100000 more for the same purpose
next year, Comment is unnecessary.
Both tho Senate and the House
have passed the bill appropriating
the sum of $685. to establish ag-
ricultural experiment stations as at
tachmonts to the various agricultural
colleges throughout the country.
Owing to the absence from sick
ness of Speaker Carlisle, and Mr.
Mills who has succeeded Mr.. Morri. |
son as Democratic leader of the |
House, the proceedings Of that body |
were less interesting than usual the
past week Half q day was consum-
ed in obstructing consideration of
the bill intoduced by Mr.. Wilkins,
Of Ohio, to increase National Bank |
and the balance of the
same day was devoted to speech |
making over the acceptance of pct
ures of the three Speakers of the
House furnished by Massachusetts
which have been added to the histor-
zeal portrait gallery that graces the
south wing of the Capitol The
principal orators were w. p. c.
Breckenridge, Of Kentucky, and ex-
Gov Long, of Massachusetts, and q
great crowd packed the floors and
galleries 10 hear their eloquent ut
.eranccs.
Another day Of the valuable time
81 the Hourse was wasted over the
Of the Carlisle Thobe
contest For some unknown reason. /
.hirty-five Democrats were absent in
New York. and the Republicans sul- I
enly refused to vote, thus blocking
The wheels Of the House. But AIr.
Crisp. chairman Of the Committee on
announced his determine
ton not to permit TIE transaction Of
1tcer busiuess until this contest is
settled 4
The tariff reiormcrs hsve Won the
irst preliminary skI1uish 90 tho
Ways aud Ieaus C0Imitiuo 1Ir
% Ct.1 uE5 sLar-z v1-L