The true northerner., 1898-06-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.
News of Interest to the People OF
Michigan.
BURROWS on DECORATION DAY.

Thinks IL One or the Sweetest and Most
Glorious Days of the Year How Con.
grcssman Coriiss Was Talked Out of siI
by AN Irishman Named Finerty-Gener-
al Algers Family Made smailer-wind-
fall for Congressman Brucker.
Washington, May 3l.-'I look upon
Decoration Day as one of hte sweetest
and most glorious days in the year.
said Senator Burrows. Il think IL is a
grand thing for the old soldiers to spend
at least one day in the year beside the
graves OF their brave comrades. because
il enkindles anew their spirit OF pa
triotism and they impart that spirit to
those about them. l think il is a good
thing for the young men and women
OF the present generation to be re-
minded on one day of each year of the
heroic sacrifices OF the soldiers of this
republic, at time when the destruction
of the federal Union was imminent More
over, l believe that IL makes better men
and women of all of us on the principle
laid down in scripture: 1t is better to
go into the house of mourning than into
made better thereby"
Buncoed Out of$I5.
Congressman Corliss is too bright a
man to be caught on shell game. or to
be deceived with a gold brick: never
theless he was recently an easy mark
for an Irishman named Finerty, who
called him out of the house of represen-
$15. Finerty seems to have committed
to memory the city directory of Detroit;
or at any rate he was able to mention
the leading business men of that town.
the street number of their business
places and offices, and also of their res
licences. He mentioned the name of a
firm With which he had been last en-
ployed and stated that he had been
south for his health and had run short
of money enough TO go back home. Con-
gressman Corliss had no idea that he
was bogus, and gave him the money re-
Quested. A letter sent to the nrm men
toned by Finerty elected the response
that no man by the rame of Finerty, or
of his description, had ever been en-
ployed there. ConseQ uently Congress
man Corliss is $l5 poorer, and probably
S15 wiser.
There are no Michigan men in camp
near Washington. although it was orig
inally intended that one regiment
should be sent here. Their care about
10000 troops across the river, in sight of
the WASHINGTON monument and of the
Capitol, but not Michigan soldier is
in that encamr rment.
Alger's son i'm the Army.
General Ayers family is made small
er by the sending Of his son to the army
and by the recent wedding of his daugh-
ter. Nevertheless the Alger residence
is charming place for social enter
tainments, and Washington society en-
joys the public receptions given there.
Congressman William Alden Smith is
unfortunately placed in antagonsm
with Speaker Reed on the matter OF
Hawaiian annexation. President Nc
Kiney wants a bill passed providing
for the annexation of Hawaii, but
Speaker Reed is opposed to annexation.
Congressman Smith as a member Of the
committee on foreign affairs. is expect
ed to coincide with the administration.
This will be passed if it ever comes to
a vote, but Speaker Reed will exert all
of the power of his Office to Kill it,
1T is rumored here that Congressman
Bruckner has fallen heir to a goodly
fortune from a relative recently de-
ceased in Europe. The amount is placed
at something like $3.50 900; ample tokeep
a man comfortable for several years.
even if he remains in politics.
Petitions from Churches.
Senator Mcmillan has recently filed
in the senate large patches of petitions
from Methodist, Baptist. Congregation
al, Presbyterian, United Brethren and
other churches from all over the state
to prohibit the sale of liquor in govern
ment buildings; in favor OF anti-cigar-
ette legislation and in favor Of a Sun
day rest law. These voluminous peti-
tions come from Detroit Pawpaw,
Adrian, Berrien Springs Matherton.
Battle Creek and many other points
They represent the views of thousands
of good men and women who want TO
make the world better by human legis-
lation. The people should take it kind
ly when they are told by a correspond
ent who has witnessed congressional
legislation for nearly quarter Of CEN
tury that all the petitions sent to con-
gress accomplish nothing. They are
treated as SO much waste paper They
do no harm, OF course, but they also do
no good. If all of these people were
earnest enough TO write individual let
ters to their senators and REPRESENTA-
tives they would receive respectful con-
sideration and attention.
Senator Mcmillan is endeavoring to
secure from the state of Virginia re-
cession to the District of Columbia of
the large track of land which formerly
belonged 10 the area Of the national
capital. The matter recently received
considerable favorable consideration by
the Virginia legislature, but final action
has not been taken. If Senator Nc
MILAN can accomplish this result future
generations will revere his memory.
Congressman smith Unhappy.
Congressman Sam Smith is unhappy
because he cannot get more pensions.
Since the beginning Of the war with
Spain the house Of representatives has
practically quit doing business, and the
passage Of numerous private pension
bills has been stopped. AS a matter Of
fact the condition of the treasury does
mt "A.