The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-01-19
WASHINGTON, Jan. II, 1888

TION-PENsIONs, sc.
WASHINGTON, Jan. II, 1888.
Especial Correspondence OF the VIRGINIAN.l
The liveliest scene in the 50th Congress,
so far, was that in the House last Friday
afternoon. The day had been devoted
pretty generally to the discussion of pri-
vate claims, and but few of the members
manifested much interest in what was
going on. About O'Clock in the after
noon motion was made to adjourn. Mr..
Mills, the leader of the House on the
Democratic side, then moved that when
the House adjourn it would meet on
Monday. The agricultural experimental
stations bill was on the calendar for Sat-
urday, and Mr.. Hatch, its patron, was
anxious to have it considered. 1t is a
measure in which the entire farming com
munity is deeply concerned, and the rural
representatives are practically solid for it.
Mills motion was regarded as prejudcial
to the bill, in that it deferred it's consider
alton. and on call of the yeas and nays,
it was defeated by a vote of 154 to SO, all
of the Virginia members present voting
with the majority. The result of the roll
call had an irritating effect on the Demo
cratic leader, who with flushed face, loud
voice and excited manner declared that he
had given his word to members on both
sides that there would be no session on
Saturday, and that it had been supposed
the position he occupied would enable him
TO make good the assurance. The idea OF
any one man being able to absolutely con :
troll, not only the action of The House. but
also to determine when and how IFS SEES
sions should he held. was greeted viii de
risiye laughter On the Republican side.
But the Democrats began TO crawfish.-
Their leader Yields vigorous lash, and
promise. Mr. Hatch dec Jared that he had
not been apprised OF any promise made by
Mr.. Mills. and the latter retorted that he
did not understand the House was ex-
pected to follow the lead" of the gentle
man from Missouri.
II trust the House will always follow
me when 1 am right, said Mr.. Hatch.
With the aid of the gentlemen on the
other side," (meaning the RepublicansNre.
torted the Texan.
| Later, after some other business had in
tefyened, Mr.. Hatch stated that inasmuch
as the determination to hold session on
Saturday placed Mr.. Mills personally in
an awkward position before the House. he
/ HATCH asked unanimous consent to re-
consider the vote by which the motion to
adjourn until Monday was defeated.
Mr.. Mills objected, and renewed his
original motion. The question being put
the motion was declared defeated by a
count of 1O6 to lis. But the Texans blood
was up, He determined to let the House
and the Nation know whose hand was on
the legislative lever. The boss business
he wanted it understood that he fully ap
preciated the responsibility of the posi-
ton, and was disposed to claim all of its
rights and privileges. Nay more. He de
|
tended, and the names of those who were
rash enough to question it. So he called
for the yeas and nays Before the result
was announced. Mr. Hatch tried to still the
tempest by retiring from the field. But
this would not do. A surrender without
conditions were the only terms the Lone
Star Statesman would entertain.
| Mr.. Hatch said "Mr. Speaker, desire
to say that in antagonizing the motion OF
the gentleman
Mr., -(interrupting) Regular Or
der"
Mr.. Hatch-'I ask to make an expIana
tion.''
Mr., Mills-''1 object"
| Mr.. Hatch-''I ask unanimous consent
to make single statement"
Mr.. Mills-''I obiect.''
MIR. Hatch-''I ask then to change my
vote from no. to aye"
This unconditional raising of the white
flag was greeted with applause on the
Democratic side, and with jeers and laugh
ter by the Republicans. But the latter
were powerleas. for the result of the yea
and nay call was a pronounced triumph
for Mills, his motion being carried by 1O4
to 1l6, a strict party vote.
mention this not only as an item Of
current news, but also as An evidence Of
the power Of one man to control legsla
ton. Here was Il measure affecting ths
interests of every farmer in the land
The time had been fixed for its considera-
ton. Its patron, himself Democrat. re
garded delay AS extremely prejudical.-
Four fifths of the members recognized The
Importance. if not essentially, of securing
immediate action. And yet, because upor
his own responsibility, one man had given
his personal assurance that there should
be no session. the rights of the people were
subordinated, their money wasted and
their interests disregarded. that lesson
in party discipline might be given
And this is representative government
and these are they who delight to cal
themselves the servants of the people
4DO PCoplC WOulQ NC SUI VI locu w SEE
how very small Il part they have in the
management of their alleged affairs, This
may be nation of soyereigns. but its
central city might be better designated as q
collection of snobs. Of course there are
exceptions to the rule-real genuine men
and women-patrots in the highest sense
of the word, and mothers. wives and
daughters who dignity the name of wo-
manhood. How these must despise the
artifciality, the hunkeyism and sycophan.
cy that permeate and peryade every
stratum of the social world. The theory
of Democracy finds little chance for de-
velopment in the soil where the parent
tree is supposed to be deeply rooted. Form,
ceremony, class and caste are thinly dis
guised, but reign as absolutely as in the
courts of royalty. From the social circle
radiates the political influence. To that
influence, merit, worth, the right of claim
and justice of a cause must defer. indie.
pendence must yield to toadyism, and old
fashioned straight forward honesty give
place to fawnings at The feet of power
| This is the rule, but as | said, there are