The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-05-13
Washington Letter.
Washington Letter.
4 Lite Color in Congress-Ihe Public Print
iag.-A Big Whisky Lobby.
WASHINGTON, D. T., May 2, 1887

iag.-A Big Whisky Lobby
Regular correspondence
WASHINGTON, ID. e., May ., 1882.
The Republican majority IN the House has
been increased by two votes. Mr.. Lynch, col
ored, has been given the seat occupied by Gen
eral Chalmers Of Mississippi, thus reducingth the
Democratic vote by one, and adding one to the
Republican vote Mr. Lynch is now the only
representative of the colored race in Congress
the only one that has been in Congress since
Senator Bruce of Mississippi, left the Senate
more than year ago. The newly seated
congressman Is a mulatto of very light color
with face that Is decidedly more Caucasian
than African in its features He argued his
own case with great ability, and received the
entire vote of the Republican majority and one
Democratic vote, that Of Mr. Ellis, of Louisl
ana, and was sworn in with great demonstra-
ton of applause from the Republican side of
the House The Democrats lose one of their
readest and most brilliant debaters in General
Chalmers.
THE FAST MAIL SERVICE.
The House on Saturday adopted the report
of the Conference Committee on the Post
Office Appropriation Bill. A number of mem.
beers were very decided in the expression that,
unless the other great cities were TO share with
New York the benefit of this service, the ap-
preparation should be struck out altogether.
Mr. Robson, IN the course OF his remarks,
said very distinctly that he voted for the con-
ference report with the understanding that the
other great cities beside New York were not
to be deprived of their share of the appropria-
ton, and il the Postmaster General should do
this he would Violate the spirit and intent of
the law making the appropriation. Mr. Sprin,
ger said the appropriation was for the great
railroads, but he did not add that two of the
great railroads only have, up to this time, had
any appreciable share Of the Appropriation.
Mr.. Robeson's remarks were drawn out by a
statement of Mr.. Caswell that the Postmaster.
General did not intend to make any new start.
ing points, but to hold on TO New York as the
great centre of the universe.
THE PUBLIC PRINTING.
A new Public Printer has been appointed,
and this is u local event IN Washington that Is
considered OF quite as much Importance, by
fifteen hundred employees, and thrice that
number that are dependent upon them, as the
appointment of cabinet officer. Important
changes are expected in the management and
personnel of the office. Since the war the
publlc Drlntinp has cost the Government not
less than $500O0,000. The Government Print.
ing Office is by far the largest establishment OF
the kind in the world, and more careful
management of it would save more than a
million annually to the Government. The
main reason of the immense outlay lies in the
fact of the practice of Congress ordering the
printing of voluminous and utterly worthless
documents that find their way, by the cart
load, to the pulp mills.
THE WHISKY LOBBY.
The whisky merchant princes from all the
large cities have been lowering about Con-
gress for weeks, urging the passage of bill
to extend indefinitely the time that whisky
can remain IN bond. By means and methods
best known to wealthy lobbyists, they have
made such Roadway that they claim a MAORI
ty IN the Senate in favor of their bill. The
effect Of this measure will be to reduce very
seriously the revenues of the Government. II
Is believed that the President will veto the
bill, if 1t shall be passed III the shape desired
by the Whisky Lobby.