Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-02-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsHIEoroN, Feb, 9Th, 1885.

WASHINGTON, Feb. nth, 1855.
During the present session of Con-
gress, which has been in session a
little over two months, more than
6,250 bills have been introduced in
the House Of Representatives. Not
one-forneth of them have passed, and
before final adjournment, the mum:
Der of bills presented and referred
will probably have reached twice
that number.
The life of a Congressional bill is
rather interesting. 10 give you
some idea of the red table that bill
must encounter, it is only necessary
to say that full-grown bill must be
printed six times, and must pass
through the hands of at least twenty
five persons before it can be num-
bered with the the laws of the land. |
There seems TO be growing dis
position on the part of Congress TO
regulate or rather TO restrict the pub
LEGATION of certain matter in the
press-such as lotteries aud gift en-
terprises. Thirteen bills ofthis char
acter were introduced in. the last
Congress, and eight or nine have
been brought forward In the present.
The House COMMITTEE has reported
adversely the bill to license railroad
conductors, and this is probably the
last that will be heard of that meas
ure.
The House judiciary Committee
has ordered a favorable report on the
Senate bill TO refund the direct taxes
collected during the late civil war, 8
with an amendment providing that i
money so collected shall be restored 4
10 the rightful owner. There is lit :,
lie doubt of the passage of this act. =
The Ways and Means Committee "
las reported bill authorizing the
Secretary of the Treasury TO invest CT
he surplus in the purchase of United ~
,tatcs bonds. Heretofore this au- v
lority was conferred upon that of PIT
cial by virtue of the provision of the TO
nnual appropriation bill. AS an is of
he has been raised questioning his 70,
GIT in the matter, it was thought w.
'st to finally settle the controversy nv
; such legislation. ire
The Republican Senators have but SUI
o subjects to discuss when they Ste
sh TO talk for political effect. When ~
AIRY of assaulting the Presidents 'ue
ssage they are reduced to the me- Thu
sity of attacking the mail service lSS
he West. Senator Reagan was to ros,
point when he said that if re- -
II was honestly sought, the com All
nts would not be sent TO the Uni sam
States Senate, but to the POst-Oflice eacl
artment, where steps could be in L
N to correct the alleged short st.
ings. Chic
aine's letter is variously viewed
by Democrats and Republicans.
former place little faith in his =,
riiy, while those of the latter M
are unfriendly to the aspirations lollo
Q man from Maine are more pros
willing to tatEe RiSy'' ardent sup being
rs of Mr.. Blaine are hoping that case
will be a reaction in his favor, ca ID
4 will apparently make the can nood
y of their favorite a necessity. ticui !;
a result of the retirement of Dr'
e, there are a number of Presi- ooro,
al booms, among which may be 'he II
Ioned Senators Hawley, Sher- ehuo
Allison, as well as Gresham and mem
raj Sheridan. In fact the Re- To Il
cans IN Congress are now think II
nore of President-making than cero
,islation. larg
last the so called Everlasting had
: bill" has again passed the Sem ing
his time by vote of 80 to 80. II from
been in three Congresses now, Sect
has occupied much valuable time men
III its enemies say will be to no a fe
lose. Its fate in the Hons is prob my
Itical, but most of the Democrats relic
d against it before, and the long mon
he bill has been thought of tom
talked of the weaker it has emit
Vn. The last vote upon it by the
ate was not so strong as the vote NJ
wo years ago. Nov
he Fisheries Commission having
Guided its labors and signed a nv.
ty, the same will be submitted to 20 70
Senate to-day. 1t only includes " a.
disputes on the Atlantic coast. ID
he President and party are ex- case
ed TO make their flying trip to OF t
Land of Flowers early next week. cou
V will not be absent ante one rect
k.