Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-05-03
nEn AND THINGS AT WASHINGTON.

bers of the House on both sides. Men like Butter
WORTH Of Ohio, and Rodgers, OF Arkansas voluntarily
relinqush the seats which they have held with much
credit in order to turn their attention to private bust
1t is to be regretted that the tenure of public
life is uncertain and til many Representatives
find it necessary retire after having obtained the
experience necessary to equip them for intelligent
performance OF their public duties AT the first glance
it may seem desirable to be member of Congress,
but unfortunately this luxury can only be INDUCED in
by practically two classes of persons viz those who
are rich that the salary is consideration. and
those whose circumstances are such that the salary
an inducement. The duties of member of Congress
arduous and exacting, and the salary affords moth
ing beyond living unless the member excludes him.
self from society and exercises rigid economy. Men
in the prime of life unwilling to forego the oppor
tunities afforded in business affairs to accumulate
competency, hence class of who could really
render the country the best service nyoluntariy
compelled to leave the law making power in the hands
of the two classes above described
As foreshadowed last week, the President has al
ready commenced the veto business, and 1t will proba
bly, have salutary effect upon Congress. The un-
bounded hberality displayed by that body in voting
money for the erection of public buildings has alarmed
conservative people, and they Will gratefully appreci
ate the action of the President interfering in the in.
erests of the taxpayer The river and harbor appro.
priations have long been matter of public scandal,
and the attempt to enlarge that field by voting millions
of dollars for the erection of public buildings of doubt
full necessity cannot receive too early too emphatic
disapproval.
Speaker Reed seems to have occasioned good deal
OF CONSERVATION in the Democratic party by the posi-
ton announced in his recent speech at Plttsburg.
How far the Republican party will commit itself to
tho u
He is known TO be of the most aggressive type,
and his aspirations such that he looks forward to
early and undisputed leadership IN his party. There
not as yet unity of opinion among Republicans
in regard to the matter of federal control of elections
but the sentiment is steadily drifting in that direction
1t is not likely that any federal election law will be
passed during the present session, but the event
that unfair methods prevail in the Congressional eec
tions in November stringent federal election law will
undoubtedly be passed at the next session of Congress-
1t is unfortunate for the country that this question
should assume sectional character, and the hope is
expressed that some way may be found in which the
race question can be settled without resort to methods
which would prove obnoxious to large section OF the
country.
The debate on the tariff bill is soon to commence
but it will be much less proracted than the discussion
had over the Mills bill. The whole question was so
thoroughly debated at that time that both parties
recognize the folly of repeating arguments which
would neither interest or instruct the country. The
position of each party upon this important question
well defined, and it only remains for the party in pow
er to embody its views in law which will meet the
approval Of the President 1t is safe to say that the
MCKINLEY bill will meet with but little opposition in
the house, but it is well understood that important
notifications will be made when the reaches the
Senate. Senator Allison, who is the recognized leader
on that subject in the Senate, will endeavor to adjust
the tariff to meet the views OF the large agrcal
tural interests of the Northwest 1t is admitted that
the task is rot an easy one, but he is statesman OF
broad views and large experience, and the utmost
dence is felt that he will prove equal to the occasion
There is great satisfaction expressed here at the
probable re entry into public life of Hon. Stephen B.
Elkins, and the Republicans of the Second West Vir
Sna District are considered fortunate in having such
good material for their representative. The Republi
cans OF the district said be unanimous for his
nomination, and it is said that it will arouse degree
of enthusiasm among them unknown for twenty years
past. Mr.. Elkins is statesman of broad and liberal
views; of extended acquaintance among the public
men of the country, and his entry into Congress would
give West Virginia the influence in that body to which
her great and growing interests are entitled. The
fact that Mr. Ekus would prove strong candidate is
evident from the abuse which some Democratic iourn
ais are heaping upon him. He is using his wealth to
develop the great coal and lumber interests of West
Virginia, thereby adding daily to the prosperity of
the State and the welfare Of the people, consequently
any attempt to write him down will prove a stipend
GUS failure. He is the most popular man in West
Virginia, not only with his own party but with the
masses, and if he can be prevailed upon accept
nomination for Congress in the Second District neither
Mr.. Wilson or any else will be able to defeat him.
Washington, ever attractive, is never more so than
when arrayed, at present, in all the loneliness of
spring attire Her beautiful parks which greet the eve
in every quarter are filled with trees of rare foliage
and swardS OF grass which rival fair Erin ITSELF her
miles OF smooth streets daily swept as clean as a
adys parlor, and the Mall, stretching from the Poto
mac to Capitol Elill with the monument at one end
and the capitol in state magnfcence the other is
ending thing of beauty. Yea: after year the
city Is becoming more beautiful and persons who
have visited all the most charming places in Europe
say that it will soon Surpass them ALL Property has
advanced in price so enormously during the last de-
cadc that but the rich can aspire to ownership in
the heart of the city, but the suburbs are being nyad
ed III every direction and the expansion seems to be
without limit. G. w. o. BLACK.
The Baltimore Saa of Thursday audes to the prob
able contest in this Congressional District between
Hons. S. b. Elkns and VIM. L. Wilson. Naturally
the Sun pets up its protege very fondy but fails to
point out any measure of particular merit ever intro