Tolland County press., 1883-01-18
Washington Letter.

WaSnlngLOn, h., C., Jan. 15s loSS.
 Congress has yet over forty days of life remaining. The tariff bill in all It's con- plicationa, together with the appropriation bills, will demand much of this brief time, while the bill for reduction of taxation comes imping behind. It will require vigilance, tact, and parliamentary skill on the part of the republicans to secure the passage of the last named measure but, If MT. Pendleton and his democratic friends could only have been as happy on this subject as they were on their civil service reform hobby horse, there would have been better prospect for the ac- complishment' of the desired result.
 The senate in it's discussion on the tar if bill will probably not reach 8 decision before the end of next week. On the oth- CT hand, the house ways and means com 'mittee will to-day submit Chairman Kel- ley's report on this question. The latter report differs materially from that under consideration in the senate, and in view of this early difference, it is pretty safe to say that the 4th of March will find con- gress no nearer solution of this impor- tant measure. Those who are most inter- ested do not want any change in the tariff duties except such as will be beneficial to themselves, and they have their represen- tatives on hand to promote and guide the action of congress. The doorkeeper on the east side of the house of representa- tives' hall, in view of the ways and means committed, can tell to nicety what the committee is doing by the class of visitors. One day the barbed wire men are on hand button-holing the members as they come and go another day the tobacco men mo- nopolize the time and space. Then the sugar refners arrive, followed by the tin men and the plate-glass manufacturers.
 Yesterday the ship-builders and the dis tillers jo1ned the throng prevailing the southern portion of the building, and were on the alert to torture the poor dis tracted members of the ways and means committee.
 The whiskey men do not find their path one of unalloyed happiness. Pitfalls abound, and although the whiskey lobby is hopeful, it is not over confident. The representatives from the moonshining dis tricts do not want to wait minute, and the shrswdest members of the whiskey in- terests experience great difficulty in re- pressing such ''school-bey" exuberancs.
 Nothing of more importance has been considered at this session of congress than the shipping bill, which engaged the at tention of the house for the whole week. This measure should not be acted upon without profound deliberation, and such cannot be obtained in the present limited time. The fact is apparent that those subjects which are of the least public im- portance receive the most public attention, and this to the detriment of more deserv- ing legislation. The merchant marine is in such weak state that the calm judg- ment and best possible discretion of leg islators is necessary in the treatment of this subject. It is to be hoped that the shipping bill may tend to the accomplish ment of some relief from our present sta tus on the ocean.
 In face of the direct recommendation of the secretary of war against the usual river and harbor bill for this year, the house committee on commerce has resolv- ed to have daily meetings and proceed to the preparation of the customary bill, but it is certain that very decided opposition will be shown in both houses of congress against opening the vaults of the treasury to appropriate money for any present fur ther improvement of the rivers and har- bors-or rather, creeks and ponds of this country.
 The idea which actuated the senate when it passed the president succession bill was that it would be better to have poor legislation than none at all. The bill is not perfect by any means, yet it is conceded to be step in the right direc- tion and affords relief from very iustifa- ble apprehensions on this subject.