Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-03-28
WASHINGTON LETTER


Washington, D. G. March q II
So much has been said about the
abuse of the franking privilege on
the part of members of Congress,
that the people have commenced to
believe that the misuse of the frank
is habitual. During the last cam
paign stock argument was made
by the opponents of Congressman
j. w. Babcock that he caused
thousands of pounds of frankable
matter to be sent into his district IN
order to swell the receipts of the
railway companies. The entire
question of the franking privilege
has been recently investigated by
regular committee Of the house and
witnesses were summoned to ap-
pear and testify upon the question
or abuses. The investigation was
called forth by an editorial in one
of the leading papers of the capitol,
and the writer, managing editor as
we'll as many other witnesses were
called to give information regard
ing the subject. After a most dill
igent inquiry, all testimony being
published in detail, the committee
reports that the charges made
generally as well as specifically
have no foundation whatever, and
that the reports come from ex-
aggerated statements made which
investigation proves to be utterly
unfounded.
A move of considerable i'm
pOrtance to the building of another
transcontinental line made it's ap-
pearance in congress this week
when numerous bills were introduc-
ed giving the Chicago, Milwaukee &
ST. Raul Railway the right to build
and maintain bridges over the navi-
gable streams traversed by it's
Pacific coast extension. These bills
give the company the right over
the streams through the states of
North Dakota, Montana, Idaho,
Washington and Oregon, and con-
stitute an important step in assur-
ing the building of another route
across the continent. AS the pioneer
road of Wisconsin all Badgers are
interested in its development.
An effort was made the other day
to repeal the law providing for the
rank of lieutenant general OF the
United States army, and among
those affected by the bill was
General Macarthur, the veteran v is i
consin soldier. After an attempt
at fillibustering and considerable of
a debate, the bill was killt d or
amended SO that Macarthur and his
associates now subject to it's provi-
sions would not be included.
~
Congressman e.. III. Weisse the
only democrat from Wisconsin is
preparing tariff speech which will
be delivered IN the near future and
which is designed to be an authora-
tive utterance on the subject of the
leather and hides schedule. As Con-
gresham Weisse is himself a tan
ner, he will talk from the shoulder
and intends to give the facts of the
situation.
Probably no effort that Con-
gresham Babcock has ever put
forth in behalf of his constituents
has received SO many words of
praise as followed his securing of
the ruling from the treasury depart
ment shutting off the free importa-
/ ton of lead and zinc ores from
Canada and Nj Xico. This ruling is
of importance to the lead and zinc
men of southwestern Wisconsin and
they have written in highest terms
of appreciation to Mr. Babcock for
the effort put forth so successfully
in their behalf. He is in receipt of
daily letters calling attention to the
| Importance Of the matter and the
testimony is all to the effect that
the ruling has an important in
fuence upon the lead and zinc in
dustry of the state, SO important in
Grant and Iowa counties.
~
Congressman H. G. Adams las
been confined to his hotel during
the past week by illness, but is
again in his seat. Tie progress of
the contest in the second congress
sional district is watched with con-
siderable interest by the Wisconsin
people here and it is generally be
lieved that John NJ. Nelson, Adams
II