Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-03-02
A KALAMAZOO hid
Has A PARLIAMENTARY HISTORY
whfeh cssgssss MAJ say fsr $50 GOO
sssktsss Jssry STA. ps.a FFt-. Assas
-Aa EsPisFaEIsa Of Ai4<xA-
aatehson's ChAnSs..

ia the purchase OF the parliamentary
History OF Congress, compiled by
Harry smith. OF Kalamazoo. the Jour
nal Clerk OF the House of Representa-
tyes The sam 10 De appropriated is
so, 900.
TINS - one OF the most valuable
works or its kind ever written, and in
It's compilation Mr.. Smith has devoted
years OF the hardest research, and 10
make his history absolutely accurate,
he has consulted every writer who has
PAID any attention 70 the subject.
Mr., snnth says De IS not particularly
anxious aboat selling the manuscript
10 Congress. When ne tirst commenced
the work Il was originally proposed Tor
private publication, but slnce It's conf
pletlon 50 many members OF Congress
have oeome aware of It's value, that
they are IA favor OF the Government
purchasing the manuscript. Congress
spends so much money in the printing
OF books OF little If any value, that il
seems strange they should hesitate for
one minute ia the purchase of what is
admitted TO be A work OF historical
value. and which will rank as an auth
orlIy on the subject.
-
The next Congress will contain some
queer Characters. The sockless Jerry
simpson, OF Kansas. abou, whom so
much has been written, is one of them,
and another of the same stamp came
90 Washington this week, TO see how
legislation Is conducted here. rhe lat
est arrival was Lewis Steward, who will
represent the Eighth Illinois district,
but who. unlike the Hon. Jerry, does
not owe his good fortune TO the favor
OF the Farmers Alliance. Mr.. Steward
Is rather . quaint sort OF q character.
lie IS not unduly putfed up because OF
his success, neither does he try and
make the world believe that he is a
great man for whom Congress has long
been yearnIng. In fact, he rather
takes his election a good joke. He
says that the people OF the district had
been N the habit OF putting him up AS
"a candidate for several years past, but
they did IL once too often. and by mis-
take, or in some other way, elected
HIM. What Is more remarkable is that
ne did not make any speeches. az
couldn't If tried" is the way he puts
il, and he didn't spend a penny for
campaign funds.
lie says he does not want the Speaker
10 put nm ON any important commit
tee. He would like TO go on some un-
important committee, and at the tail
end, where ne will have nothing to do
and be able TO do II successfully. 1t is
so rare that a member confesses that he
does not amount TO much that II is pos
lively refreshing to find one possessed
OF such modesty.
-
The military men who have soft jobs
IN Washington, and who find II great
deal easier to attend germans III fash
iooable drawing rooms than It is to fight
Indians on the plains. are hoping that
plans tor a junketIDg trip viii not be
spoiled. Pleasant rs It Is to be in Wash
lngton detailed for duty at the War
Department, there are times, and espe-
cially IN midsummer, when the average
ElA4l WVAtQ iAAt - tOOttk BidSt III
ID rest his weary bones. A bill has al
ready passed the Senate appropriatng
100000 for an exploration of Alaska,
the expedition TO lie under the dIrec-
ton OF the Secretary of War. This
means of course that the members of
tue exploring party will be army Off
GERS. aud those who are on the ground
will have the inside OF the track, as
they Will be able To bring most influ.
ence TO hear on the Secretary of War.
The bill mas not yet passed the House.
hut several army officers who think
they have the requisite influence hope
10 will, as a summer amid the cool sur
roundings of Alaska, engaged IN Eek
plorlng'' at the Government expense,
would suit them very well.
The chances are very bright for Gen.
Cutcheon being appointed member OF
the board of fOrt ticatons. The salary
10 5000 year aud the term OF Office Is
four years, so that from a money point
OF view the place pays better than that
of n Congressman. The board will have
most important duties to- perform. II
ischarged with originating and putting
into practical operation n complete and
comprehensive system of fortlficatIons,
"a at the present time We are practically
without defenes of any kind.
For some years the subject of fortih-
cations has caused much debate in Con.
gress. but OWING to the diversity o;
Opinions aud the fact that there was nc
comprehensive plan which would take
in the coast cities as well as the lake
ports nothing has been done. Congress:
has at last made move IN the right
direction. and it seems now as If az las
we were 10 have fortificstions worthy
of the name. Gen. Cutcheon's Ions
experiences on the military committee
makes him a very proper man TO ap
point on tins Important board. and It a
hoped BY bis many friends IN Congress
that he viii De appointed by the Presl
dent.
-
Jerry Simpson may not wear sock.
but be has some sensible IDEAS ali thf
same. He has been spending sevsrai
DAYS watching how legislation i con
dueted and getting the hang Of things
in general. Members elect have ths
nrivilsre of the floor. and most of then
ara 40 anxious 10 20 on the floor and
apuear TO the occupants Of fhe galleries
Ike f,tll feagsd Congressnlsn that they
Lose no time after arriving IN Washing
ton in roining the elect Bat Mr.
simpson = original n AL things. NhsT
he FIRST came here, instead OF st once
Going on The fcor. ne went INTO one q
the galleries. and there quiet and M
observed he was enabled 20 water
things 81 h,s aeSrt's content Uf coGrs'
~ kroVre that "a s<noss as his pre<srcs