Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-07-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington. June 25th.


representatives who have been at
Chicago, and it has been entirely too
hot for those who have remained at
their posts to do any fighting. Palm
leaf fans and handkerchiefs to as
suage respiration, have occupied
much of the time of our lawmakers.
Yet when one comes to think it
over there has been a good deal of
useful legislation at the Capitol dur
ing these convention days, for, as a
rule, congress works to much better
advantage without a quorum than
with one.
After being under discussion for a
week, the sundry civil bill was pass
ed on Friday, and the public would
be surprised to know how much there
was to say, and how well it was said,
upon almost every paragraph.
Senator Sherman secured the pass
age of the bill to cover the expenses
of the United States exhibit at CO.
lumbus, Ohio, where the northwest
territory and adjacent states will hold
a Centennial exhibition. The Ohio
statesman thinks that these exhibit
tions, including country fairs and in
ternational expositions, are among
the most beneficial agencies of mod
ern civilization.
At the Ohio Valley Centennial Ex-
position to be opened at Cincinnati,
July 4th, the Federal Government
will be represented by an extensive
exhibit, Notwithstanding the fact
that the bill making the necessary
appropriations did not become a law
until May. AS soon as the appro-
priation was made the officials in
charge began their work, and already
several carloads of materials have
left Washington for the exposition.
The 10000 feet of space allotted to
the United States will be filed with
exhibits from the various executive
departments. The Smithsonian, the
National Museum and the Fish Com
mission, together, will give in sort
of object lesson, an epitome of the
work of the government in the admin
istration of national affairs, and in
it's scientific departments.
When Senator Sherman came to
the Capitol on Saturday his disap-
pointment at the turn affairs at Chi
cago had taken was but thinly con-
cealed. He had evidently about aban-
doned hope, and was very reserved
and thoughtful. Senator Allison was
apparently as unconcerned as if he
had not been in the race.
The president has not been bur-
dened with any very perplexing bust
ness from congress during these hot
days, although about 200 pension
bills have been sent to him since last
Monday. He has vetoed three of
these. His veto message of the bill
to grant an increase of pension to one
Elijah Martin created some audible
smiling in the House, but no protests.
The president showed that Elijah
Martin was dead and buried before |
the bill for his relief was introduced |
into congress.
In this matter of private pensions |
l would not like to say that the pres
ident has made no mistakes in his We
toes, but neither would | be surpris-
ed to learn that he has signed dOz- |
en- fraudulent bills for every honest |
one that he has vetoed. He has APP |
proved of more than were signed by |
all his republican predecessors, and
since he has not had time for thor
ough investigation in all cases, it is
likely that a good many
frauds have been approved.
Commissioner Blacks plan for adj
justing the arrears of pension due
the widows of deceased soldiers by
direct communication with the office,
the aid of agents or attor-
neys, is well received all over the
country. 1t is commendable sim
plification of methods in the interest
of economy and speedy settlement.
If he really accomplshes this much
needed reform, he will have rendered
his country a far greater service than
he could possibly have done by run
ming for the vice presidency.
The land question is an an exciting
subject in congress and one which is
sure to bring out subdued political
fires and elicit stump speeches. Dur
ing such a debate, last week, Repre-
sentative Townsend of Illinois declar-
ed that the democratic party in con-
gress and the executive departments
have forfeited and restored to the
public domain S0,000,000 acres of
land since they came into power. He
said the most stupendous lie he had
heard this year emanated from the
Chicago Republican Convention last
Thursday, in a plank in its platform
declaring that the democratic party
has never restored an acre of land to
the public domain.
The president will attend the COM
exercises of the Universe
ty of Virginia this week. He has
been invited to visit Montpelier, the
home of Madison, on his return from
Charlottesville, and the present own
er of the estate has made elaborate
tons for his reception. Mrs.
Cleveland will not accompany him, AS
was at first reported.