Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-02-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
ESPECIAL coRREsPoNDENcE OF THE MONITOR. ]
WusbiD0tOn. Feb. ~.

OeeOiiSo iec "a Pl1etIlOLe OObi1 iiObONo |
are found still wrestling with the
monster tariff. Congress differs
from the tariff commission it created.
The senate battles against its finance
committee. The house will not
have what its committee of ways and
means recommends. Neither party
can agree in its caucus in either
house. The house cannot agree as
to the Constitutional power over the
question of revenue Indeed nothing
can agree with anything else
''clenched antagonisms' everywhere.
But seventeen more working days are
left, and the successor of this house,
whether it meets in March or Deem
Der, will have a democratic majority
of nearly eighty. That will not be
body in which to enforce republican
policies. 1t is unstatesmanlike to
leave this question in the wind for
another year, deranging the business
relations of the whole country, and
the occasion calls for heroic rene
dies. During this short and uncom-
monty busy session, the house has
spent much valuable time in honoring
,1r11cnol Of lnothc 0f
members by obituary speeches and
adjournments. The body has long
been addicted to sentimental indulg-
ences of this kind, and as the custom
has attracted much attention from
the press of the country, it has been
suggested that the practice be abol-
ished altogether, and that the house
make a strong effort to suppress its
overwhelming grief on these occa-
sions and continue with the peoples
business.
The senate has given it's time to
hard work of late, and can see the
end of the tariff bill. A conference
of the republican caucus committee
of the senate was held Saturday to
determine which of the various meas
ures now pending in the senate shall
be regarded as the most important to
fa f&np tho topIff
ure shall be disposed of. 1t was
virtually agreed that as the shipping
bill presents greater claims for pre-
cedence than any other, aside from
the appropriations, it shall be called
up first, after the disposition of the
tariff and appropriation bills.
Many excellent bills have been in
troduced in each house of congress
within the last few weeks, and it is
to be regretted that they must go
down as heaps of rubbish at the close
of the session.
| Whatever else the historian may
feel moved to say of the present
congress after it has passed away,
he will be compelled to admit that il
had an immense lobby. A lobby of
such magnificent proportions that il
was to congress proper as the tail Of
the last comet was to the nucleus
thereof. Old members of congress
agree that the lobby this winter is
ahead of anything seen in Washing
ton for many years. Ex-members
of congress avail themselves of the
privilege accorded ex-members-tht
freedom of the floor to openly give
themselves to the furtherance of al
sorts of jobbery. This abuse O
courtesy has excited an indignation
several sturdy fighters, that may re
suit in an explosion.
Mr.. Randall, of Pennsylvania, an,
Mr.. Carlisle, of Kentucky, are con
: spicuous rivals for democratic lead
ership, and the daily exhibition o
their struggles affords amusemen
not only to the galleries and floor
but to the country as well. MI
Randall is handicapped by a hig
protective constituency, and dare
not let himself fully ont, while MI
l. Carlisle understands the power c
the protective element, and expresse
his free trade ideas too freely. Bot
may live to learn the benefits of
I strictly invulnerable record.
Some politicians are rejoicing +;
e the advent of Lent, because the
i think the President, to considerab
Ii extent relieved of his duties as chic
t of social leaders, will have time
Il long delayed appointments, such :
: district commissioner and the civ
- service commissioners. There is L
ally much perplexity about the sele
IL ton of the latter Mr.. Dorman
Is Eaton is spoken of as chairman
5 the commission, but prominent civ
service reformers prefer to have NJ
Graves of the redemption bureau
the treasury department. But l
one can predict what the Preside
~ will do in the matter, for he is u
49, doubtedly the most reticent man W
;, has yet occupied the White Hous
70 He listens very patiently to ever
!, thing that may be said in favor
/, certain persons for offices, and ask
!. many questions, but will not EXPIRE
: himself in advance of action, and
- regard to public matters and appoil
= ments, absolutely keeps his o,
= counsel, until he orders the papt
to be made out.
" LETTER FROM NEW YORK
NV neutrality-suspicious. ofthe Monitor.l
ial Neay York, February ~.
nd FitZ Hugh Lee is here. the galls