The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-01-19


the House met to-day that no business
would be transacted. Though number
Of the oommittees of the House have held
meetings they have not as yet prepared
any bills on which they are ready to ask
confederation. On Monday next, after
the call for bills and resolutions for ref
erence, Mr.. Randall will ask considera.
tion Of one of the smal,r appropriation
bills. He will have another ready for
the following day and expects them to
have material enough for the House to
work on for the balance of the week. BY
that time it is thought that n number Of
bills will be reported back and on the
calendar for action.
President Arthur has received the
formal thanks of the shipowners and
merchants of the New York Maritime
Exchange for the interests shown by him
in the matter of commercial treaty with
Spain, though they do not expect the total
abolition of the determinations against
American vessels sailing 10 Spanish
ports. they say the shipping interests
here are not without hope that the pro-
posed treaty will tend at least, to miti.
gate the severity of the Spanish custom
laws.
Judge Thoman of the National Civil
Service Commission, speaks encouraging
ly Of the success of the reform system.
In the six months since the examination
began, he says the work has been carried
on in good faith, and there is steady
Improvement in the character Of the APP
plicants. Judge Thoman thinks the de-
feat of Senator Pendleton in Ohio is sim
cerely to be regretted, and that 1.-THE
means by which it was brought about
merit condemnation"
At the meeting of the Senate on post
Offices and post roads it was determined
to begin at the next meeting, one week
hence, the consideration of the several
measures providing for the establishment
of postal telegraphic system. Senator
Edmunds will be present to give his
views in support of the bill introduced
by him.
Since the reassembling of Congress
there is more uneasiness on the part of
the tariff reformers and less apparent
certainty on their part as to what they
are likely to do. 1t is said that they are
at least sixty Democrats ahead in
the House who oppose any action on the
tariff this winter, and if the Republicans
were united in opposition to 1t there
could be no bill passed in either branch.
But there are tariff reformers smong the
Republicans, and there are also others
among them who think it would be pol
icy to let the Democrats agitste tie mat.
ter. Both sides are Just a little torn
up" 80 to speak Mr. Morrison is un-
easy about Randalrs activity, but he
tells his friends that there must be tariff
revision. and that he will fiud means to
make the opportunity for it. Mr.. Con-
verse comes back from Ohio with the
declaration that the old duty on wool
must be restored. That, he says, is the
great question in his State, and the party
cannot overlook it. Other leading Dem
ocrats think the duty on wool should re-
main as at present. There are indica-
tions of trouble among the Southern
members, with regard. TO sugar. Mr..
Morrison favored the reduction made
last season. He is said to be dlspos ell
to cut the duties still further. There is
division in the ranks on other questions,
and the outlook is unfayorable for the
harmonious action which was predicted
by the leaders three weeks ago.
The Huntingdon letters recently pub
lished have caused much talk and not
little uneasiness in Washington, and
have given new interest to the presence
of their author here, He usually stops
at Willard IS, where he has often enter
tanned Congressional friends, but this
winter he has taken quarters at Worm
ley's where he can be more retired and
attract less attention. 1t is pretty we'll
uuderstood what he wants here, but his
long, lank, white whiskerod lieutenant,
Sheriff., comprehends the situation
pretty well and has told Mr.. Hunting
ton that he can hope for little comfort
from Congress at the present time. To
delay action, through Mr.. Cobb's com
mittee. upon land grant matters until
the excitement has blown over is all they
are going TO fight for this winter. The
inside history of this fight between the
Texas Pacific and the Central Pacific
companies is not generally understood.
Tom Scott, with his usual genius, had
seen how to strike across the Southern
States to Texas, and thence by shor
line below the range of snow blockades
to the Pacific ocean to San Diego. The
Central Pacific monopolists felt their
danger, and, acquiring a franchise
| thiouBu AIIouhp Idu oub Win hll pos
sible speed what they called a Southern
Pacific road rom San Frausisco to meet
and head of the Texas Pacific. They
were using the resources gained by their
previous monopoly. and to compete with
them on anything like equal terms it was
necessary to invoke the aid of Congress
by a guarantee of interest on bonds
Here was where Huntington had the in
side track, for it put his lobbies and
newspapers in the attitude of virtuously
fighting against subsidies and in favor Of
an 'unsubsidized" road. viz, the South.
ern Pacific, which really enjoyed the
benefit of previous subsidies to the Gen.
trail. So great is my confidence in Scott's
ability, that think he would have sue
ceeded if his health had not broken
down, and death already laid its hngor
mi IN