The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-09
CAPITAL CHAT.
TrifIing Changes in the Mat
ter OF Government.
The Venerable Justice, Fieid--ArSument
That Killed the Nicaragua Canal Bill.
The Pacific Ocean and the Evolution 0f
China and Japan.


China and Japan.
WASHINGTON, March 8. 8.--lSpecial -
Ono of the last communications received by
the house committee on elections was a let
ter from man named Folsom of New Ha-
ven proposing thorough and novel reor-
ganization of congress. The members of
that comms.tee took Mr. Folsom's letter
upon the floor and passed IL around among
their friends as one of tho curiosities Of
congressional literature Mr.. Folsom
thinks congress fails to carry out the
wishes OF the people In many important
particulars because 1t Is too small. He says
there should be a greater number Of mem
bers. If he could have his way about tho
matter. he would make the house of ropre-
sentatives body Of I.340 men, and by
giving each 4S states (supposing that the
territories shall have boon admitted) six
senator's instead of two lac would make tho
upper branch chamber with 2SS mem
bers.
His Novel scheme.
Mr. Folsom admits this enlargement Of
tho two houses would make it necessary to
build IA new house and new senate cham
bor, but he would not stop at "a triilo like
that in carrying out his plan for tho good
Of tho people. Mr.. Folsom's argument Is
that large part Of the people are unrep-
resented in congress as it snow organized,
and he adds In multitude of counselors
there is wisdom. Chairman Brown and
the other mombors OF the committee were
much amused at this suggestion. They
wonder how the speaker of a house con-
taining 1, $40 members would DO ablo TO
preserve order in the hall. IL Is difficult
enough now, with 356 members, and
would become quito impossible were tho
membership increased To nearly 1, 800
These arc not all the suggestions which
Mr. Folsom had TO make. Ho wants the
freedom OF speech and OF tho press sup
pressed because he thinks they are men
aces TO tho liberties of tho people. He
wants the president and vice president
elected for life, and senators as well. The
president, according TO his scheme, should
DO paid n salary OF $3.50, 900 n year, the
vice president SOC, 600, members of the cab
met s17, 500, tho sameas ambassadors now
receive and senator's and representatives
IS, 900, the same as members OF the cabinet
get at the present time. Mr.. Folsom
would have census taken every two years
instead of once in ten. IIe wants a stand
ing army of 80, 900 men and u navy OF 49,
600 mon. 1t is needless TO say that Mr..
Folsom's suggestions did not receive the
serious attention Of tho committee.
Tho friends of Justice Field OF the SUI
preme court note with regret that he Is
failing fast. The wonder is that the old
justice has been able To hold out so long
considering his age, tho active and labori-
Gus life which he has led and the prodi-
gious amount Of labor which he has per-
formed during his long service upon the
bench 1t may not be generally known
that justices of tho supreme court work
harder than senator's and members Of con-
gress. They arc compelled to sit up till
late hours studying briefs and WRITING