Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-11-28
Washington correspondence.
CONTEST FOR SPEAKER-WH'sKEY-
JoHS PoRTER's CAsE-VANDERBILr's In
coMK-CoNKLiSG IN THE SULKs-LASGrRY
CoMfSo--ARcHiBALp Forbes.

WAsHISGTsN, ID. c., Nov. 20. 1888.
The all-absorbing topic il still who is to be
Speaker of the House Of Representatives.
Randall's friends say that If the Southern
members vote for Carlisle it will b. an en-
dorsement of Southern ouirages, and thus do
the candidates promote harmony among them
selves and wave the BLOODY shirt II il anus
ing, il not Instructive to watch democratic
methods. They don't want to NEEDLE with
the tariff question and they don't want to let
it alone. They want to choose . Speaker that
will make thei- chance of success in the next
Presidential campaign as nearly certain As
possible, or at least one who will do nothing
to make them less certain of success, aud
there seems to b. doubt as to whether such
q man exists, save in the person speaking,
judging from the talk one hears from the
statesmen in hotels and like places where
democrats are wont to congregate. The
statesmen seem to look upon Cox's candidacy
As huge joke. such is the reputation of the
man as a joker.
A few Of the things the democrats have
promised to do this winter will not be calcu-
lated to help them among the Northern
people. They propose To extend the period
that whiskey can remain in bonded ware
houses. which, based on last years figures will
give the distillers the sun of about 500 00O, :
UbOs Uis WHISKY ubts MOI HNNt 10 pay huN
tax until it is taken out of bond. and the over.
production amounted last year to 81. 900. 900
gallons and this year it 10 estimated will reach
l20, 900 900 gallons. IL this whiskey va,
not allowed to remain in bonded warehouses.
the distillers would have to pay tax on it OF
30 cents on gallon. This might indeed be q
hardship but it is the fault OF the distiliers.
who have come to Congress ut three different
times tor an extension Of time, promising
each time that over-production should cease,
but the figures show that the amount ha.
nearly doubled each time. BY getting these
extensions Of time they have deprived the
treasury OF this amount of money which they
have had the use of without interest, and their
whiskey 10 each year getting more valuable.
Why should Congress be so kind towards this
great interest? Thew have paid no attention
to their promises and if they were to be fnan.
cially embarrassed no one would be to blame
but themselves. II Congress repeats the To-
ternal Revenue Laws. will not this powerful
whiskey ring have influence enough to cause
Congress to give them the taxes already due 7
If . member If Congress holds whiskev secu
rites. he will not be long in making up his
mind which way to vote. A powerful ,bby
10 Ut work for this interest and as has been
seen their money flows freely TO assist in
democratic political campaigns. The Senate
10 republican but they are not united on the
whiskey question.
Fi,x John Porter is making ready for his
annual appeal to congress. and in spite OF
Gen. Loean's .loquence he stands a good
show Of being reiustated in the army With
arrears Of pay. He has the powerful iufu-
ence of General Grant. which is not small
thing for him, and it is an item Of strength
that his friends will play for all il i. worth.
Az Gen. Porter IL a democrat his party in
congress are sure to vote for him.
w. II. Vanderbilt has the email sum Of
vi, 5000 invested in government 4 per
cent bonds. This makes quite respectable
income for William. Yearly income 81 900. :
600; monthly, Sl5S.333; weekly. $50 5SS.
daily, e5,205. One would naturally suppose
with such an income . man could afford to
be liberal. but the liberalitv OF New York
millionaires has not yet become proverb.
Hon. Roscoe Conkling has once more called
attention to one Of h>>prominent peculiari.
ties, to draw it mild, by<eiusing to be present
at the dinner given by the N. Y. Chamber of
Commerce to the dignitaries on the evening
of execution day for the reason, it is said.
that Geo. William Curtis Is to be present
II Lord Roscoe allows this PECULIARLY of
hating his opponents to grow upon
him, he will soon be declared from ali
social enjoyme for fear Of meeting his
opponents. This popularity only causes
unnapplness to Roscoe himself
Langtry will come to M with Consress and
lyman mere one week. She will APPEAR ia
vnfes plays. "schosl Tor Scandal" s.Sha