Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1888-01-19
WASHINGTON LETTER


WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, '88.
There is one thing which congress
did not fail to do before it adjourned
for its holiday recess draw its mile
age. This mileage is quite an item,
and amounts to $33. 900 for the Sen
ators, and Sll0, 600 for members of the
House. Heretofore 1t has been virtu-
ally a gift, for nearly every Senator
and member, IL not every one, travelled
on free passes. The passage of the
Interstate Commerce bill cut off that
nice little perguisite. The mileage to
the delegation from the Pacific Coast
amounts to 81. 800 year to each. The
rate is twenty cents mile for the dis
lance by the nearest route between
the members home and Washington
at the opening of each session. and
back to his home again after adjourn
lment.
Senator Stanford, of California, Is a
liberal man with his millions in more
ways than one. His generosity is
shown, for instance. to his committee
clerk, whom the law allows 50, 500 per
year. To this Mr.. Stanford adds his
mileage of 81, 800. which gives the clerk
the comfortable little sum of SIS, 500.
Then Stanford's salary as Senator is
i So, 900 year, this entire sum he turns
right over to his private secretary.
How fortunate some men are in money
Jmattersl
The Bureau of immigration claims
that there are 100000 Hungarians in
this country, large proportion of
whom are not naturalized. 1t seems
impossible to estimate how many for
eigners of all kinds we have who have
not taken out naturalization papers,
though eligible to citizenship, and it is
probable that bill will be introduced
in this Congress to make this matter
compulsory. 1t does seem reasonable
that a man who enjoys the prosperity
of the Republic should be compelled
to suffer its adversely with Others if
adversely should come.
A bill will soon be introduced, with
good prospect Of its passage, creating
a commission to treat with the Indians
in the Indian Territory. It's object is
to mass them closer together in the
eastern part of the Territory. thus
leaving about 81, 600, 600 acres in the
western portion open for settlement.
To this will be added mo Mans Land"
or "Oklahoma" so called, which com-
prises 8, 900, 900 acres, making terri
tory of 1000, 600 acres, about as large
as the State of Ohio. This project is
meeting with great favor.
When congress assembled on Wed
nesday most of the members were
present. it was fully expected that
the speaker would proceed at once, on
opening to announce the committees,
but the arrangement made by the
\ spsakar- having -bean noised about con-
|
arrived, dissatisfaction with appoint
ments was so great and pressure for
changes so strong, that the speaker
was confused and determined to post
pone the announcement.
The Senate's proceedings on Wed
nesaay were characterized by three re-
markablc speeches Senator Sher-
man analysed the presidents message
on the tariff issue in an able manner
followed by Senator Voorhees,, of In
diana, in defense of the presidents po-
sition, and by Senator Teller, of Colo
RADIO, who, with mass of facts and
figures, showed the sophistry and in
sincerity of the administration in its
pretended tariff reform and financial
policy.
The galleries OF both wings of the
Capitol were filed with spectators who
evinced great interest in the proceed
ings The senate drew the more in
telleciual portion of the crowd on ac-
count of the speeches being delivered,
bit the house galleries were packed by
those who enjoy the confusion and ex-
3 element usually attending the pro-
: eeeoings of that body.
: Senator Brown, of Georgia, intro
duced n resolution for the repeal of all
internal revenue taxes, and will call
the question up next Monday and
make speech on it. This took the
(; democratic side little by surprise,
and is understood to mean that the
Senator will oppose reduction of tariff
duties, but favor the repeal of all in
: ternal taxation. 1t means further
that the president is going to have
1 serious trouble among his own party
? friends on the issue he has raised.
Il