The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-03-15
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, March II, /

WASHINGTON, March II, 1884
The upper house Of Congress talked les
than usual during the week but actet
mere. Quite n number of bills were
passed most of which, however, were
: rather unimportant in character. ETht
House of Representatives talked. diffusely
! and reached hut few conclusions i
passed but two notable bills one to pen
sion the Mexican veterans, and another
providing ordnance for the completion OF
the four steel cruisers ordered by Congress,
in 'S3. The latter measure Occasioned the
longest debate of the week. Hon 5. S
vessels, and said the Democrats We're OPP
posed to the ideas of prodigalty prevailing
on the other side of the House. They did
not want to keep up naval establishment
only one half of which was at sea-though
sometimes the whole thing seemed to be
"at sea" He represented the navy AS an
amphibious arrangement, one half OF the
officers on land, some at sea, and Others be.
tween the two, awaiting orders. He did
not like TO be asked to keep up the pay roll
of such navy, and build vessels for it.
which could not protect our ports and har-
bors Mr.. Caldwell said that. navy yards
were not used now to equipSmenof-war to
defend the national honor, but to employ
voters to maintain the Republican party in
power. Another member wanted such
used recently by the British vessels when
they succeeded in dcmoishing the Egyp-
tian City of Alexandria at distance of
eight miles Mr.. Dorsheimer also favored
the use of the most efficient guns, and
hoped no more mute, inglorous" frigates
would be produced to 30 to sea,
A well worn subject has been revived in
Mr. Springer's committee, and some ghast-
ly secrets are being revealed. The star
route investigation, through all its various
stages has been prolific OF surprises but
the stock is not yet exhausted EXAttor-
ney General McVeagh eX Postmaster Gen
eral James, and ex-senator Spencer have
each been asked to testify rs to what they
knew about the star routes, and it has come
to light that the late President Garfield
while member of the House of Repre-
sentativeS, knew all about the star route
frauds, and used the smoney of the arch
star route conspirator Dorsey for campaign
purposes, knowing well whence il came
Spencer's testimony overturnS all theories
that had been previously formed touching
his relations with the defenda mt, and puts
him in II position directly opposed to the
one to which common rumor has assigned
him. He says he helped Postmaster
gave him advice and information about
star routes. How Il man who had it in his
power to bring the maleiactOrS to cOnfu-
sion should have remained silent SO long is
II mystery. Messrs. Brewster and Bliss
told the public they wanted To convict
Brady and Dorsey, but having TO choose in
WIlal 'dSc lpulilNl tiltlll u tll'l NhoOlu bc
had, they selected II case in which convic-
ton was uncertain and improbable, when
there were other cases in which conviction
was inevitable.
The Morrison tariff bill was reported To
the House on Monday, and it is probable
it will be called up for consideration very
soon, as it will stand at the head of all
revenue bills on the House calendar and
will take precedence in committee of the
preparation bills. AT least one hundred
members have prepared speeches for the
coming debate, which will present the
great question from every possible stand
point. The visitors in the galleries will
hear tariff to their utter bewilderment.
The local industry of Louisiana is beset
on every side The Senate threatens sugar
by the Mexican treaty, and the House
threatens it by the tariff bill Through
one or the other il looks as if the country
would get what Senator Vance calls free
sWeetnln.'
The Democratic Congressional Cam
paign Committee met at the Arlington ho-
tel this week, and organized for active ope-
rations, electing Senator Gormon chairman
of both the executive and Congressional
committees.
The majority of the gay world of fashion
are disposed to abide by the restrictions of
the Lenten season, thereby gaining the rest
requisite to enable them 10 indulge in fes-
ttvities again after Easter. Even at houses
where ladies had declared their intention
to continue regular receptions, few visitors
disturb the solitary grande ur of the hostess.
Excitement
What causes the rush at Forbes n Lor-
riaux's drug storey' The free distribution of
| sample bottles of Dr. Bosanko's Cough and