Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-01-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.
ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS OF THEMoNIToR. ]
WdshinqtOn, Jan. %.

rain and sleet, producing sloppy and
slippery streets, have made the past
week one long to be remembered in
Washington weather annals. 1t was
a marked contrast with the preceding
week, when the enjoyments of out
door life are considered.
Although the senate, in its slow
mechanical way, does not make much
progress with the tariff bill, that
measure will not fail for lack of sup
porters. The tariff reform idea
seems TO have obtained strong hold
upon the republicans, and with what
recruits they can gather from the
democratic ranks, the republicans in
congress will be numerically strong
enough to pass "some kind of tar
iff bill" The house is preparing to
take up this subject, as the navy APP
preparation bill will probably be pass
ed tomorrow. Accordingly, the
republican caucus which was held
Friday evening, decided to bring up
the tariff bill Immediately after the
naval bill is disposed of, and they
will also endeavor to limit debate so
that no time need be wasted. This
was the decision arrived at by the
caucus, and of course the democrats
will fillibuster against it, but when
the time for action comes the repub-
licans will provide against this. by
calling in all their force.
The senate found time Saturday to
pass the postoffice appropriation bill,
and with it the clause relating to the
reduction of letter postage. The
latter, from the terms of the bill,
will 90 into effect on the 1st of July
next.
The remarks of Messrs. Sherman
and Edmunds in the senate favoring
a government postal telegraph, made
quite an impression, and will excite
general comment and wide discus
sion of the whole question. This
created some opposition the reduction
postage, but the supporters of that
object succeeded in plotting that
measure safely through congress as
stated.
The national board of trade. an
association representing an aggre-
gate value of Sc, 100000, has
held it's annual sessions at one of the
prominent hotels. They concluded
their meetings Friday, but before
they finished they passed resolutions
complimentary to the shipping bill
which very recently passed the house.
They also declare themselves in favor
of whisky legislation.
An unanswerable question has
been asked at the treasury. 1t is
"Who runs Secretary Folger?' Sc
far as can be seen his assistant sec
retaries have but little to do will
him, and no one is known to have
any influence with him. He .may b.
sufficient unto himself. A bOisterou
outburst of indignation in the treas
ury department is the effect of al
enforcement of the recent order rel
ative to the reduction of the pay 0
employees for time they are unavoid
ably absent, as in case of sickness
and it is asserted that an unjust dis
: elimination was made in several in
stances.
The treasury, war, navy and inter
+ ior departments have all been struc
I by the reform cyclone, and new rule
and regulations are hurled at tn
clerks on an average once OF. twice
week since the November elections
The clerks in these departments al
easily recognized by their anxiou
d faces and two-forty gait as they hui
~ off mornings to get inside the graz
+: lite portals before the clock strike
nine.
0 Pennsylvania avenue is so throns
ed with government employees b.
e tween three and four in the afternoc
y that persons frequently ask: "Ho
W many clerks are employed in the d
IL partments here?' An investigate
u has just developed the fact there a
g no less than $4,000 at the prese
y time.
III General Grant is still here, al
e' continues to be the recipient of MAJ
~ social honors.
e The Marquis of Lorne is expect
III to arrive in this city on the 25th,
III route for Canada. He will be t
III guest of the English minister.
m LETTER FROM NEW YORK