Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1891-03-03
WORK OF CONGRESS
Nineteen Thousand Bills We're
introduced.
Hundreds are Left Over for
Another Congress.

The Closing Scenes One of Intense Ex-
citement Worthy Claims Pass by,
While Questionable Schemes Flourish.
Other Information Collected at the
National Capital.
WASHINGTON, March 3.-The Fifty
first congress is drawing to a close and
everything about the Capitol building
is excitement, as there are thousands of
bills to claim the attention Of the mem
bers. 1t is almost impossible for one
not familiar with such proceedings to
realize the situation. These are times
that make men grow old, that Danish
sleep from anxious eyelids, that carry
alternate hope and despair to thousands
of people.
Nineteen thousand bills have been in
troduced in this congress, about as many
as the total number introduced during
the first fifty years of the century. Only
number absurdly small in comparison
will be passed. More bills will go over
from this congress than from any half
dozen previous ones. A vast number
of these are pension bills, private claims
and measures of personal relief. Thou
sands of claimants will be turned away
and empty-handed. Some,
indeed a majority, probably, of these
private claims are for money Justly due
from the government. Many are claims
that have been before congress for many
years. Some come down from a former
generation.
There are thousands of claims the
honesty of which is not questioned.
But the government is bad debtor, al
ways an evasive and often dishonest
one. The justice of claim has, as a
rule. a minor influence in securing its
allowance and payment Other infu-
ences ar more potent, and Oftentimes
payment of honest debts is refused year
after year, and Just claims rejected or
while questionable schemes
for private or corporate gain are worked
through and paid.
The p9or claimant who has no partic-
plar influence or pull, the widow who
has only her prayers and tears to plead
for her, has a small chance in the fierce
struggle before the National Legislature,
and especially in the last days Of CON
gress.
The stranger would not understand
the depth of feeling and anxiety that
exists. 1t does not appear upon the
surface, and the house of representatives,
drones along apparently, and INDUCES
in frivolous debate while hungry eyes
are watching and hearts are wild with
hope and fear 1t is the idea Of the Ma
tional legislator and government official
that he must prevent the payment Of
any money out of the United States
treasury, and it is the rule of the coun-
ny to applaud every act in that direc
ion, without stopping to consider its
honesty or dishonesty.
Next Wednesday noon will have its
throng of disappointed and despairing
as usual, though this must be
said, that private claims are being dealt
more justly and libarally with in this
congress than ever before, and many
private bills are being passed that should
have been passed years ago.
But the average congressman is prone
o devote his efforts in legislation to
measures that will rebound to his ad-
in seeking for a reelection, and
le is liable to neglect those that have
)nly their honesty to recommend them,
md are advanced by those who can be
If no aid to him in his ambitions.
The government claimants lot is not a
happy one. Indeed, one could wish his
enemy little worse than to have claim
before congress, and it does not matter
much whether the claim is for a sum
Justly due or not
The life of the Fifty-frst congress is
low numbered by hours, and people in
crested in legislation count over these |
lours anxiOusly.
1t is likely that all the strictly neces-
ary legislation will be had, but the ses-
sion will end in such wild and promis-
,uous scramble that many measures will |
,reep through that should not and many
,thers will fall that are demanded by |
very consideration Of honesty and econo-
ny. Your shrewdest lobbyist and ex-
congressional wire-puller finds |
lis opportunity in the final confusion of |
session, and slips through measures |
mder cover that in calmer and more de- |
lucrative times would be promptly put |
Iside.
Through the present appearance of |
Iuiet the suppressed feeling is liable at |
my time to break forth, and there may |
Ne tumultuOus scenes upon the floor of |
he house before the last stroke of the
gayel announces the end of the Fifty
irst congress.
Both houses of congress met early |
Monday morning prepared to hold CON
inuous sessions. if necessary, until II /
,'clock noon Wednesday, March 4, when !
he fifty-first congress will expire by |
aw. These are evidences that the clos |
ng scenes wilt be interesting to states
nen and spectators alike. There are |
many important measures on the Calen
lars upon which action will be sought |
lriOr to the closing hour of the session
nut it is very doubtful if anything more
han appropriation bills, and copyright
md postal subsidy billswill get through,
Many persons have come to Washington
0 witness the closing Of congress.
Among the noted arrivals might he
mentioned Hon Leslie w Russell, the
elect from the Twenty .
lew York district, who is being shown
he sights by his predecessor, Hon.
frederick Lansing. Mr. Russell bears
he proud distinction of having worsted .
he late Roscoe Conkling in a 100000
nit which was tried in the United States
district court in Rochester several years
go. Another noted arrival is Hon.
sherman Hoard, the young Democratic
from Massachusetts. who
ucceeds the venerable N, F. Banks
Farmer Alliance member-elect Lyden-
Iam b. Alexander, of Charlotte, n c.,
) here to get an insight into the work
ngs of congress before his term Of Office
'egins
One of the most conspicuous persons
n the senate chamber is Senator-elect
'effer. of Kansas, who defeated Senator
INGALLS,. Mr.. Peffer Is here to see some
hing of Washington and of the way
he business of the government is con.
Iucted. He will be here till June and
n that time expects to familimize him
elf with the work of the departments
II L L.