Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-01-31
Fr.m our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D. c., Jan. 81, 81

WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D. c., Jan. 27, 'Sa.
The tariff rough ndtumb!e has begun
and there is no telling when or where
it will end. The attempt on the part
of the republican leaders to make it
party question was partially successful
though there was considerable rebel
lion in the ranks. Mr.. Kasson, though
tacitly supporting it, says the Kelly bill
cannot be defended as q whole, and
half a dozen others equally as promi-
nent feel like washing their hands of
the whole affair In the senate Mr..
Plum has stirred up connection by
his forciblc remarks on the subject of
his colleague, Mr.. Ingalls,, says there
will be lot of gymnastics, but no tar
itf revision this session. Since the
publication of the letters written by
members of the tariff commission to
representatives Of certain "interests'
while they were circulating round last
summer the work of that body appears
even more ridiculous than before.
There has been some talk among Re-
publicans about Democratic obstruction,
but the business of congress has not
been retarded a single moment by any
show of obstruction on the part of De-
mocrats. They have fallen right in
and helped to pass every good measure
even when some of them were repub-
lican attempts to steal Democratic
thunder. But it is not likely that a
bill which deals with the food, cloth
ing, fuel, dwellings, Implements books,
papers. shrouds. collins and almost
everything else that every human be-
Ing in the United States touches or
needs from the time the new born babe
is wrapped in IA taxed blanket until at
the end of the life journey, the grave is
smoothed down with taxed spade-a
bill touching every interest, affecting
every home in the land and determine
ing in great measure, what part of a
mans earnings he may keep for HIM
self and how much must he contribute
to the Golfers of the rich men who own
and control the governmental is not
likely, | may say, that such bill will
be allowed to rush through congress at
hreak-ncck speed at the dctation of a
party caucus. Its provisions had bet
ter be investigated a little.
Senator Salisbury, though one of the
safest and best men in the senate, and
bearing one of the most iluStrous
names, is not much of an orator, and
those who know that fact will appreci-
ate the following incident. AT the head
of flock of Delaware beauties he re-
Gently visited one of the government
departments and called upon 4 dis
tinguished official. One of the young
ladies Of the party, who is something
of q susher, come up to the d. o. and
said: son, never expected that 1
would be able to meet so great man
and be able to talk to him face to
face. She then rolled such a pair of
blue eyes at the d. o. that he shivered
along his reyercd spine to his distinguish
ed heels with the electric shock, as the
red blood of his boyhood stole up into
his cheeks. Languishingly the young
giddy creature bent her gaze upon the
statesman, who warmed under her
look like house cat before cheerful
blaze, as she said sob, tell me, great
and good sir, who is the most eloquent
orator IN the senate. l want your real
ly, truly honest opinion" The dis
tmsuished official was equal to the oc-
caslon. Stepping back with profound
bow, in the direction of Senator Sails
bury, he said: IF you force me to do
1t, must say that the peerless palm
rests with Senator Salisbury, of Della
ware The Delaware senator bowed |
low, with many an "Oh, dear sir"
not hearing the sweet confusion of his
pleasure the low satirical laugh of the
cast-iron fire-dogs in the open fire
place. PHoSo.
"Ihe Mid Winter Century, is the