The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-11-24
WASHINGTON LIE TIER.
From Our Own Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.,
Nov. 2Ith, 1882.

iHCIC 10 du CdtHcSt uIpOSC oi TIC
part Of the Republicans to secure at
the coming session of Congress
material reduction of internal reve-
nue. taxes. The Ways and Means
Committee, with Judge Kelley at its
head, undertook TO accomplish this
end last session, but the measures
brought forward we're talked out of
time by the Democrats, and the only
bill that had any chance of success
lies smothered under a load of
amendments and Democratic CAB in
the Senate. Yet the Democrats
roared about taxation all through the
late campaign. Judge Kelley's COM
mittee are already taking the matter
in hand again and nothing but Dem
ocratic obstruction can prevent some
thing being done to lesson the weight
of taxation at the approaching ses
sion. But the policy Of obstruction
will undoubtedly be adopted by the
minority in order TO carry the SUBJ
| ject over to a Democratic Congress,
and as this will be short session, it
will require vigorous and determined
efforts to prevent the success of their
tactics. Judge Kelley is said to be
in favor of abolishing the entire sys-
tenn of internal taxes. But speaking
of the coming Democratic House, it
is amusing to notice what lively
campaign for the offices of that body
has already begun year in advance.
A little success crazes the Democrats.
To them the old days have come
back and they look forward to the
time when the Southern gentleman
can swear and squirt tobacco juice
in the marble rooms of the Capitol.
l may be below the figure, but it
seems to me there are million Dem
ocrats who have already filed caveats
for every office in the House. There
are hundred very good places in the
House and probably two hundred
others not quite SO good, but the
knowledge of Democratic majority
has put a legion in the field for every
office. 1t will be lively scramble
when the time comes, but hardly
foretaste Of what would be seen if
ever, by any possibility, the old fossil
party should get control of the ex-
ecutive branch of the government.
According TO the reports coming
in there is likely to lbe an unusual
number OF contested seats in the
Congress lately elected. In large
number of districts the vote is very
close and the successful members from
these districts reach the goal of their
ambition by very narrow margin.
In many cases these are Republicans.
But the Bourbons having large
majority in the House a happy
thought strikes the unsuccessful Dem
ocratic candidate. From Virginia
alone three contests are threatened
and present indications are that the
list from the whole country will be
something unprecedented. IF the
Democratic majority remains on its
good behavior these contests may be
settled on their merits and in most
cases disposed of in short order, but
the chances are that partisanship will
get the better of discretion and that
the Bourbon will generally be seated.
{ But in one respect both parties are
to blame for the miserable practice
of so many contests. The custom
that prevails in Congress of paying
all the expenses of the unsuccessful
party to contest serves to increase
| the number of such cases. The con.
/, testant knows that he will not be oui
, OF pocket, owing to the liberality o.
+ this custom, even if he loses his case
| Therefore, having everything to gair
y and nothing to lose, he enters upor
: a contest, where, perhaps, if he hac
Y to bear the burden of his own ex
o pense if successful, he would not con
n slider his chances worth the venture
;, 1t has not been very long since de
.' voted contestant for a seat in tn
House was voted liberal allowanc
1 z = & Il e