The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-15
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

The meeting of Congress has signif-
canoe beyond the impulse it gives to
politics and the effect it has on the bust
ness of the country. 1t calls forth from
the various departments of the Govern
ments summary OF our National affairs.
The various reports show what has been
accomplished during the fiscal year, and
indicate how the country is growing in
wealth and power. Computations based
on these reports have been made with
astonishing results. 1t is shown that one
fifth Of the wealth of the seventeen prin-
ciple countries Of the globe is credited to
this Republic, only century old. The
wealth of the United States equals the
combined valuation of Italy, Spain, Por-
tugal India, South America, Turkey,
Egypt, Sweden, Norway. Canada, Aus
tralia, Denmark, and South Africa. 1t
exceeds the wealth OF Germany and Rus
STA combined. 1t is equal to the riches of
Great Britain, Canada, and Australia.
Agriculture has been the main factor in
this marvellous increase of wealth, and
yet the agricultural interest secures
smaller consideration from Congress than
any other. Perhaps it needs less, but
with a revenue so large that there is a
strong temptation to waste money, it does
seem that there should be no miserly
objections TO protecting and encouraging
agricultural interests. How many mil
lions are lost by cattle diseases which
might be prevented. How much might
be saved by raising our own sugar, Coffee
tea and other products susceptible of
cultivation, is almost beyond estimate.
learn that the Agricultural societies are
going to take more earnest measures than
ever before to demand Congressional
action in behalf Of Agriculture and kin
dred interests.
Among other matters the President
recommends commission to arrange
with Germany il possible for the admis-
sion of American swine products |
have had access to some figures which
show the exports of pork last year as
compared with 1882, and notwithstand-
ing the German embargo there has been
little decrease.
The President favors appropriations
for rivers and harbors in his Message, but
economy will be party pretense and it
may be expected that the bill will be
comparatively small. There are two
objects of so much importance that they
will be made the occasion of special mes
sage to Congress, the improvement of the
Mississippi river, and the construction of
tho Hennepin Canal. Concerning the lat
ter an appropriation of 100000 failed
last winter, it is said through the efforts
of the railroad companies which do not
want water route from the Mississippi
to the Atlantic. The Hennepin Canal
project is to connect the great river and
the great lakes
To drop into politics for moment, it
is claimed by the Democrats that one
advantage in having Carlisle for Speaker
is found IN the fact that he has no Presi-
DENTAL aspirations. Randall, they say,
was SO strongly inoculatcd with the virus
that he would have fashioned things to
help his candiature. Mcdonald of Indi-
ana confesses to great citation over the
victory of Carlisle, and those, who pre-;
tend to know, say that Mcdonald is the
| Speakers candidate. | think this is true,
but Mr.. Carlisle will not be apt to let it
be known as fact outside the circle OF
his intimates.
The Democrats in the House think OF
caucusing next week to come to an un.
Outstanding as to party policy for the
winter Such a meeting would not be
entirely harmonious, and for that reason
it may not be held There exists broad
| diverffence of views on tariff aud other
important matters, and it is doubtful il
the party could be induced TO act as a
unit on several of these subjects 1t is
certain that any radical changes in exist
ing tariff duties will be strenously resisted
by one wing of the party, even at the
expenee OF their fealty to the orgauiza.
ton. The differ nee in views held by
| leading eastern and western Democrats
on financial questions is also, in some
cases, radical. The Democratic majority
on certain controverted points is not 50
large as it looks.