The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-12-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Own correspondent.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.,


members of both parties are breaking
their necks and falling over each 9TH
er in the struggle for first position in
the race. This statement should
perhaps be qualified with reserva-
tion excepting number of loud
mouthed Democrats who year ago
were harping for reform" but who
now stand boldly up and declare they
will oppose all tenure of Office meas
ures until the offices have been filled
with their hungry constituents.
Among these are Senators Dan Voor-
hees and Joe Brown, who have been
struck with visions of Democratic
success in 1884. While a majority
Of those Democratic Congressman
who have for years been croaking for
reform legislation dare not now turn
their backs upon it, there is still a
strong undercurrent among them
that they would like to see it defea--
ed or postponed until after the Presi
dental election. Some of these are
esteemed very astute politicians, yet
their shrewdness would seem to be of
the short-shighted kind. If the Dem.
ocrats should by any possibility get
into power there are several dangers
to which they would be exposed, one
of which is that the hungry hordes of
office-seekers would make such rush
for the public crib that the people
would stand disgusted and Mortified,
and be eager for an opportunity to
take the Government out of the hands
of such a crowd. If their leaders
were really smart they would be glad
to see this exhibition prevented in
the only way it or can could be done
by the strictest civil.service law
that can be framed. The most SEN
sible amendment to the Pendlerun
bill in the Senate is that offered by
Senator Logan, directing that exam
nations shall be practical and relate
only to matters which will fairly test
the relative capacity of applicants to
discharge the duties of the service
into which they seek to be appointed.
Of all the superlative humbugs in
connection with civil.service rcgula.
tions that of propounding lot of
questions In astronomy and technol
ogy to an applicant for a Govern
ment clerkship takes the first rank.
Since tariff revision, revenue re-
duction and reform measures occupy
so much attention now, and the ques.
ton as to what will actually be done
is involved in SO much dou bt, it is
interesting to note the views of the
leading men in both Houses of Con-
gress. There is growing convic-
ton among Republicans that some
thing ought to be done with the ta-
riff at this session. nor is there any
abatement of their original determi-
nation to reduce internal taxes, pro-
vided the Democrats will permit it to
be done. Senator Harrison says he
regards the creation of the Tariff
Commission as "a confession that the
tariff needs revision" Mr.. Dawes is
in favor of abolishing all internal
revenue taxes, except those on liquors,
tobacco and bank circulation, and
further of a reduction of the tariff
to the lowest possible point which
will enable it, together with the in
ternal revenue, to furnish the re-
quirements of the Sinking Fund and
the strictest economy OF current ex
penditure." He seems to think "he
tariff could be reduced SIoo, ,ooo, 900
by proper adjustment between free
raw material and dutable manufac
tures, so that American industries
would be stronger for the revision. y
Senator Frye says that internal taxes
except those on spirits and tobacco,
should be repealed, and that the ne
cessity of tariff revision is imperi
tive" Representative Kcsson favors
the enlargement of the reductions
provided for in the pending Interna
Revenue bill--not, however, SO as to
include distilled spirits Senator
Sherman proposes the repeal of in
ternal taxes, except those on tobacco
spirits and beer.