Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-26
Especial Telegram to the GIobeI

ISDGclal
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-Business men of
La Crosse, Wis, have sent a communica-
ton to congress asking for the construc-
ton of pier at the entrance to the Des
Moines river canal for tho protection of
navigation.
Mr.. Aldrich to-day presented to the
house a petition for the workmen en-
ployed by the Calumet Iron and Steel COM
pany, in South Chicago, asking that con-
gress adopt no lower rates of duty on any
foreign unmanufactured product than that
fixed by the tariff commission.
DON'T ATTEND TO BUSINESS.
1t appears that about half
the Republicans have not
recovered from the thrashing they got last
November, and they take little interest in
legislation. Notwithstanding the short
time to elapse before this con-
gress will end, during the last three or
four days not one-half of the members of
the majority have been in attendance
at any time during the session of the
house, and it has been at all times within
the power of the minority to obstruct leg
islation if they chose. Everything that
has been accomplished has been by
sufferance, and through the manage
ment of Mr.. Hiscock and
two or three other Republicans whose per
sonal relations with the Democratic lead
ers assist them in their efforts to proceed
0f fha
naval bill ought to have been finished last
night at the very latest. With an alert and
determined majority it might have been
sent to the senate Monday night, and the
tariff bill taken up yesterday according to
the programme of the Republican caucus.
More than half of yesterdays session was
wasted in trivial discussions on points of or
der To-day was very little better. When the
house was called to order only twenty
three Republicans were in their seats, and
they were confronted by fortysix Demo
Gratis, who had arrived early. During the
most of the day about this proportion of
Republicans and Democrats continued, al
though, of course, the total number pres
ent was greater. The naval bill was not
finished till this evening. The last half
hour before adjournment last night was
spent in filibustering. The Republicans
were not in sufficient force to make any
headway, and they therefore desisted after
having secured the previous ques-
ton on the bill. The general
features of the naval bill were
not changed and probably nobody expect
ed they would be,although there was end
less talk on various amendments. Unless
they shall decide to flibuster it must be
sapparent by this time even to the most
tupid Republican congress man that un-
less the majority shall evince greater en-
ergy in the future than it has during the
last few days, the consideration of the
tariff bill may as we'll not be begun at all.
The friends of tariff reform, including the
supporters of the ways and means bill,
have counted all the time upon the
assistance and cooperation of the
tariff Democrats as an Offset
to any defections in the Republican rank.
In this they may be disappointed. Mr..
Randall, who is looked upon as the leader
of the tariff Democrats in the house, has
been artfully lodging every proposition in
regard to the tariff since the session began.
He lodged the vote on the bill in the COM
mittee, and secured pairs whenever he de-
sired making record on any particular
schedule in the bill. Before Hiscock Of
fered his resolution providing for seven
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congress, with the privilege of offering
only one motion to adjourn before the
fixed hours of the days session have been
reached, it was shown to Randall, who ex-
pressed his approval of it. Holman and
some other Democrats, including some of
the tariff Democrats, who want to see the
public business brought forward in an or
derly manner and considered, favor the
resolution.
THE TARIFF BILL.
The following will be of interest, as af-
fording some indications of the feeling of
Western members with regard to the ways
and means committee tariff
bill. 1t will be seen
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appear to give much satisfaction to West
ern Republican members. When the bill
is considered, it is likely that many of
them will vote with Democratic members
to secure greater reductions than the ways
and means committee has provided for.
Mr.. Deuster, of Western Democrats, says
that he certainly shall not vote for the bill
in its present shape. He considers that it
provides for no real reduction of the tariff.
He regards it as eminently protectionist
tariff, and with respect to many
items, prohibitory. He is of the opin-
ion it will be found unsatisfactory
to many of the Western Republican mem
bers, who will unite with the Democrats in
voting for amendments that would insure
more extensive reductions and modifca-
tions of its prohibitory clauses; that if
the bill passes at all it will be in such a
shape as will make it somewhat more ac-
ceptable to Democrats. Mr. Davis, of
Illinois, Republican, says he is pro-
nounced protectionist, but that even from
his point of view the bill is unsatisfactory.
II do not believe" he said, shat
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