Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1880-04-07
PROM eur regular soHsspoadsat
WASHINGTON LETTER.
W,s.,safos. ID, o, April s, 1850,

OF pthcf inlp'Sn'H6 '''"'' w" . WV
usually scarce, The question OF tar
ID legislation Ia probably tho most im'
portanl and exciting tho most slIen'
ton Just now, The contest last week
over tho improper reference OF Mr.
Townsend's bill, served 10 show the
Ways aud Means Committee and the
proteetlohlsts about how much feeling
there IL on this subject throughout the
West aud South, And this reyela'
ton has moved tho committee 10 At
least make q flint At action The
committee now proposes to report a
bill to the House containing the prop
osltion 10 put printing paper and
wood pulp on tho free ISL 10 reduce
the duty on bIehromale OF potash TO
put chrome ore on the free list, and
fix tho duty on woolens n forty per
cent. No doubt bill 10 pu, printing
paper aud articles entering Into Ito
manufacture on tho Tree lat would
pass, hut other propositions which the
committee are lacking pn their bill
canno, pass aud they know H. The
object, apparently, Is 10 maGa'a pre-
tense of doing something, but to con-
struot a measure which shall antago'
nizc 30 many interests thai nothing viii
result. 40 | stated last week, there
will he no tariff legislation this SOS.
sion. Too many Congressmen arc
concerned directly a. indirectly in
manufacturing interests
The position Of parties on this
question is about like tho situation IN
tho Ways and Means Committed Tho
democratic members are divided by
various conflicting interests. while tho
are solidly united IN tho
party Of protection. The latter have
for three yearS past advanced cautious
ly towards this point, avoiding die.
cussion Of the subject by all means in
their power, but ut this session they
have, with more boldness and post.
iveness than betors. taken party
ground az protcctionists. The differ.
cnccs Of opinion among democrats on
this question are well illustrated by
the proceedings last week. Most OF
the Pennsylvania Democrats, with
some others voted with the rapubli
cans, and the Speaker is also under.
stood to be, as a Pennsylvania, q
protectionist. 1t is evident, therefore,
hat all general propositions to liber-
alize the tariff must fail in this House.
Why, then, do the democrats press
he matter on the House! IL Will be
asked. For the reason, the answer is,
hat they believe it to be q real ques.
ion and one in which the country
axes an interest, the discussion Of
which, therefore, is necessary in order
% bring our politics into some sort of
'eason again. They believe also that
fit can be got before the people as a
prominent issue the Democrats will
pain more than they will lose, and this
'iew is greatly strengthened by the
lnconcealed aud nervous anxiety Of
epublican leaders to prevent debate
IN it at this session. There are dem
'crats who believe that with the issue
made prominent by a thorough dis
ussion in the House they can carry
majority Of the next House, even
hough the republicans should elect
heir President. Whatever may b.
he motives of those who are trying
o bring the question before the House
hey deserve the good wishes and
upport of all. protectlouists or free
raiders, who want to see the country
MT in some wholesome relation with
Is interests, and to see our dangerous
ersonal politics snufted out in time
efore we have a general conhagra-
ion.
The first ossr OF hanging at the
National Capitol for many years oc-
urred on Friday, when oolored
vretch named Stone expiated upon
he gallows the fearful crimo Of mur.
err. Something more than year
20 Store cut his wife's throat one
light in a most brutal and cold
looded murder, causing her death in
few hours. At the same time be
lso cut the throat Of her sister who
'as staying in the bouse, but the
alter recovered. The insanity dodge
'as tried as defense. but after u fair
'ial and the interpositiou OF all the
xpedients of ingenious counsel Stone
'as convicted and sentenced to DO
ung. Twice has Mr.. Hayes granted
hort reprieves, and it was believed
y many that he would finally com.