The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1888-02-10
THE AVERAGE MEMBER.
A Deluge of -RiddIeberger on Open
Sessions-The Presidents visit

A Deluge of Bins- RiddIeberger on oper
sessions-The Presidents visit.
Correspondence of the PaIatka Ne,us.
| WASHINGTON, February 6.
| Congress is two months old to-day and
has yet to place upon her statute books
anything of a general or important
nature. Over 1900 bills have been in
troduced and referred, which is equiva-
lent to saying that less than one
twentieth will ever emerge from the
pigeon holes in which they have been
filed.
There are bills for the erection of pub
hc buildings; for the construction of
bridges; for the entire abolition of inter
nal revenue taxes; for the prevention of
the sale of adulterated lard, and butter;
and of various other titles too numerous
to mention.
WHY THEY ARE INTRODUCED.
To the unnitiated it would seem that
| the activity of members IN the introduc<
ton of bills showed that they Were wide
awake in their efforts to secure the gem
eral welware of this great and growing
country. On the contrary many of these
bills are presented with the hope that
constituents will see something has been
done by their able C) Representatives in
the halls of Congress. In a word, the
major portion are introduced for politi-
cal effect, simply and solely, the author
knowing only too well that he has seen
and heard of the matter for the last
time. But their names appear upon the
record attached to something which they
can enlarge upon by means of a politi-
clans imagination, and hold it ND to
their constituents as a reason why they
should again b2 sent to the legislative
hall.
Be it said to the credit of the Florida
delegation-one and all-that they are
not given to this style of ''rot." The
quiet workers are the most usefnl here,
and Florida's representatives, proud of
our old Land of Flowers and of their
constituency, are always ON the lookout
for anything that concerns her general
prosperity.
THE PUBLIC PRINTER
Interest centers at this time on the
proposed investigation of Public Printer
Benedict and the Office in his charge.
There is no doubt great inconvenience
has been caused by the delay in printing
reports of committees, ETC., but all feel
confident that this investigation viii
reveal better and more economically
conducted department, at the same time
exhibiting a larger and better output of
work than under former administra-
tions.
Mr.. Benedict is an experienced printer,
a thorough business man, and when
weighed in the balance will not be
found wanting in any respect.
RIDDLEBERGER's PERFORMANCE.
Riddleberger gave another matinee
to-day, and whtleit was not altogether
change of bill, yet something happened
which cannot be said to have been on
the programme.
1t is his desire to have the treaty be-
tween this country and Great Britain
considered in open session that the peo-
pie may learn how the members of the
committee ON Foreign Relations stand
on the question. Continuing he was
proceeding to discuss executive matters
in legislative session when Sherman
made a point of order and the Chair up-
held him.
Riddleberger submitted and branching
off for moment returned to his attack
upon the treaty when the Chair re-
minded him that he could proceed ''in
order" Again he branched off and
again returned to the breach when the
Chair raped for order, but Riddleberger
raised his voice to its highest pitch and
concluded his sentence while the Chair
was attempting to get him in order.
WHERE HE HAD SHERMAN.
During his short speech Riddleberger
asked Sherman a question which in
volved executive matters and the latter
replied that he might as well ask him to
steal as to disregard the rules of the
Senate. Riddleberger thought he (Sher-
MANI had already broken that pledge
when he wrote to the Detriot Club ex-
planning his position on Lamar's confir-
nation when that matter was before the
Senate in executive session. He R.)
preferred to break the rule in the halls of
the Senate and not by giving it to the
press in an off hand manner He
would, of course, submit to the ruling of
the Chair, but he most respectfully re-
served his right of appeal.
While Riddleberger does much TO de-
light the press gallery and cause anxiety
on the floor of the Senate, yet he must
by no manner of means be regarded as
fool, for while he is one of the youngest
members, he is also among that class of
citizens who are known to be as ''sharp