The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-11-24
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 18th ls6.

the House committee of Ways and
Means during the summer months has
been the unanimous determination
to increase the free list largely in the
present tariff, and will, upon the as
sembling of Congress bring in bill
for that purpose. The expense of this
investigation was $4,000. The sum to
total necessary to defray the expenses
of the different congressional commit
tees that have been gadding all over
the country will amount to nice lit
tie sum.
Governor Bullock, of Georgia, called
on the President on Saturday to renew
the invitation to him to attend the
State agricultural fair to be held at
Macon. The President said he would
be happy to attend, but feared that
press OF official business would prevent
him from INDUCING his. inclinations in
the matter. There must be some do
nestle grief which prevents the Presi-
dent from being happy in indulging
his inclinations, probably some of his
Horses or his favorite bull put is sick.
I cannot imagiue any other reason for
his refusing little relaxation from his
official cares to which he has applied
himself SO assiduously during the Sum-
mer. If the people do not want to lose
General Grant, from close application
to his 1abors, they should insist on his
going on trip occasionally.
The representatives of the Penpsyl-
| vania coal interest have started a ru-
NOR that reciprocity treaty under
which the bituminous coal of Nova
Scotia will be admitted duty free, has
been negotiated, and will be submitted
to Congress early in the coming ses-
sion. The above is not true, no such
treaty has been made. Judge Kelley,
member of Con gress from Pennsylva-
MIA, in conversation with the Presi
dent argued that a reciprocity treaty
with Canada will not be of advantage
to the United States, and that since the
abrogation of the late treaty our rev.
enues from Canadian trade have in
creased over $4,000, 900 and that our
export trade in that direction has in
creased. The Judge states that the
President is not in favor of reviving
the reciprocity treaty, and that he is
opposed to the repeal of the tariff on
bituminous coal. Of course General
Grant is opposed to the repeal of any
position of the tariff are not his par
ticular friends and supporters in the
East and Pennsylvania protected by
exhorbitant tariff rates7 Grant has
forgotten all his Western anti-tariff
views and now is the champion OF Iron
and coal interests, Yankee manufac-
turers, bond holders and National
Banks.
Rear Admiral Charles Stewart, U. s.
! n. died at Bordeptown; New Jersey on
Saturday. Rear Admiral Stewart was
SO years years of age, and was the old
est officer in the Navy, having entered
it as a-lieutenant March 9th 1898. He
was the senior flag officer in the Navy,
and was placed on the retired list in
1861. He was on the United States
ship Constitution when it captured the
Cyane and Levant. For this victory
a gold medal was struck for him in 1916.
1t has been reported in the New
York World that Secretary Boutwell, is
maturing a scheme for the return to
specie payments by the FIRST of Janua-
ry next.
The fact that the Supreme Court
will before long decide that the legal
tender act is unconstitutional, and it
having been already publicly declared
by the author of the Legal Tender act,
Hon. E. G. Spaulding, that it was only
intended to apply during the war, en-
acted to aid the Government in an
emergency, and that it is clearly un-
constitutional in time Of peace, and
the power to pass the law was under
the war power for such report the
Secretary denies it. He says in the
first place he has not commenced to
write his report, and in. the second
place he has not thought of making
any recommendations except of gem
eral character on the subject of re-
sumption. The Secretary does not
consider it feasible to resume by the
first of January, next. If the Secreta-
ry continues to buy bonds at Is per
cent. above their face value he will
not be able to resume in dogs age.
A letter has been received. here by a
prominent Radical Senator from can
didate for Congress in Texas, which
says "after thorough canvass of his
district composed of thirty counties he
is satisfied that Texas is not yet fit
for admission to Congress" Certainly
not, ifTexas will not eat dirt and vote
for the Radical scum, carpet-baggers
and scallawags she is not fit for he1
place in the Union. The Radical can
didate above mentioned found out that
| he would be elected to STAY at home.