The true northerner., 1898-01-05

Views of Congressman sam smith and Sen
ator Burrows ON the Matter-Private
Pension Bills introduced I'm the House Of
Representatives by Michigan Congress
men-No New Years Reception at the
White House-Frances Alger.
Washington, Jan. AIT noon Wednes-
day the gavels of the vice president and
speaker will fall i'm the senate and i'm
the house of representatives, and both
branches OF the congress will come TO
order for the transaction of business,
after holiday recess of two weeks and
a half 1t is presumed that both of our
senators and all of our representatives
will be in their places.
One OF the first questions to come be-
fore the house of representatives will
be the Grosvenor resolution providing
for modification of the civil service
law. All of the Michigan congressman
are i'm favor OF civil service reform but
all of them are also in favor of revo-
cation of the sweeping order of Presi-
dent Cleveland, including all of the best
offices in the civil service classification.
Congressman Sam Smith voices the
general sentiment of the Michigan men
the president take appropriate action
than to vote for congressional modifica-
tion or repeal of the law. We believe
that the president has the power to re-
woke the order of former president.
or al least to suspend that order. Presi-
dent Harrison suspended a similar or
der concerning the railway mail service
for couple OF months President Nc
ha wi
Cleveland's monstrous extension of the
classified list"
Have No Show Whatever.
Senator Burrows says: Il am in ia
vor of the civil service law wisely ad-
ministered, but l would like to see ii
administered so that the Republicans
would have a chance to get the Offices
At present the Republicans have no
show whatever"
One hundred and three private pen
sion bills have been introduced in the
house OF representatives by the twelve
Michigan congressman, and all of those
bills have been referred to the commit
tee on invalid pensions. In due time
they will be reported TO the house, but
it is doubtful if many, or any, will be
passed. The house is likely to
that will make it almost i'm
possible to secure the passage of pri-
vate pension bills. For a number Of
years the house has set apart Friday
night of each week for pension legisa-
tion only. BY abolishing the rule for
Friday night sessions the house will
curtail private pension legislation.
For the first time in many years there
UiN Of ha 70
House by the president on New Years
day. This omission of a gala occasion
was because of the bereavement of the
president in the loss of his mother.
In the social swirl of the capital city
it has been customary for the presi-
dents reception to mark the beginning
of the winter season of gaiety. This
year, however, everybody began and
nobody took precedence in the inaugur-
alton of the social season which means
so much to the ladies.
Experts at Entertaining.
The wives of the Michigan senator's
are adept and expert in the art of pub
lie entertainment. Our senior senator
has a palatial residence here on Ver-
mont avenue. three blocks from the
White House, and there his wife dis
and with beaming smiles.
Just around the corner. on Massa-
chusetts avenue, the wife of Senator
Burrows receives on congressional days,
and there is NO more popular home in
the congressional circles of society.
True, the junior senator hasn't so long
a purse as his colleague. but his home
is comfortable creditable, and his wife
a splendid entertainer.
Miss Frances Alger, daughter Of the
secretary of war, is one of the most en-
thusiastic of all young ladies of the
cabinet in her social duties. Because
why? this Is her last season ss a belle.
The young lady will be married some
time next summer, probably in June
to Charles Pike of Chicago. Miss Alger
receives the general public Oh cabinet
reception days as an assistant of her
mother, but she pays especial attention
to the callers OF the Michigan colony in
Washington. with all Of whom she is
a favorite. During the winter season
the Algers will be visited by their mar
ried son and daughters, all OF whom
will participate in the public receptions.
AIger Is Criticised.
Secretary Alger is being severely crit
Democratic chiefs of division in his inn
mediate office, while refusing to restore
Republican veterans who were reduced
during the Democratic administration.
Hon. Neal Mcmillan of Rockford, who
will be appointed consul at Port Sarnia
Ont, when informed that luck was
coming that way, proceeded to unself-
ishly share his luck with another. May
it long last for both of them. Mr.. Me
MILAN was recently married and came
TO Washington last week to spend a
few days here with his bride. The Port
Sarnia consulate is a pleasant and lu-
crative one. and il is particularly de-
sirable to Mr.. Mcmillan and his bride
because IL will not take them a very
great distance from home.
'I shall not be a candidate for con-
gress again." says Hon. Alfred Mines.
II have concluded that enough of a
good thing is plenty and 1 have had
enough OF congress. thank you"
II has been decided that Mr.. Mines
shall be appointed postmaster at Cold
water, and this appointment will, OF
course, take him out of politics. The
salary of the Coldwater postmaster is
$1,000 per annum. That is only half as