Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-01-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.


From our regular correspondent.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 9Th,
18S4.-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 there are at least sixty
Democrats in the House who oppose
any action on the tariff this winter,
and if the Republicans were united
in opposition to it there could be no
bill passed in either branch. But
there are tariff reformers among the
Republicans and there are also 9TH
;ers among them who think it would
be, policy to let the Democrats agi-
itate the matter. Both sides are
Just little "torn up" so to speak.
Mr.. Morrison is uneasy about Ran
dall's activity, but he tells his friends
that there must be tariff revision,
and that he will find 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 cOnnot overlook
it. Other leading Democrats think
the duty on wool should remain as at
present. There are indications of
trouble among the Southern Mem
bers, with regard to sugar. Mr..
Morrison favored the reduction
made last season. He is said to be
disposed to cut the duties still fur
ther. There is division in the ranks
on other questions, and the outlook
is unfavorable for that harmonious
action which was predicted by the
leaders three weeks ago.
The Huntington letters recently
published have caused much talk
and not little uneasiness in Wash
ington, and have given new interest
to the presence of their author here.
He usually stopped at Wizards where
he has often entertained Congress.
ional friends, but this winter he has
taken quarters at Wormley's, where
he can be more retired and attract
less attention. 1t is pretty well un-
derstood what he wants here, but
his long, lank, white whiskered lieu
tenant. Sheriff., comprehends the
situation pretty well and has told
Mr. Huntington that he can hope
for little comfort from Congress at
the present time. To delay action,
through Mr.. Cobb's committee,
upon land grant matters until the
excitement has blown over is all
they are going to fight for this win
ter. The inside history of this fight
between the Texas Pacific and Cen
trail Pacific companies is not gener-
ally understood. tom" Scott,
with his usual genius, had seen low
to strike across the Southern States
to Texas, and thence by short line
below the range of snow blockades
to the Pacific Ocean to San Diego.
The Central Pacific monopOlists felt
their danger, and acquiring a fran
chise through Arizona, ran out with
all possible speed what they called u
Southern Pacific road from San
Francisco to meet and head off 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 guarantee of interest
on bonds. Here was where Hunt
ington had the inside track, for It
put his Hobbies and newspapers in
the attitude of virtuously, lighting
against subsidies and in favor of an
s'unsubsidized" road, viz. /, the South.
ern Pacific, which really enjoyed the
benefit of previous subsidies to the
Central. So great is my confidence
in Scott's ability, that think he
would have succeeded If his health
had not broken down, and death al
ready laid its finger npon his ener-
gies. The Texas Pacific never got
beyond the State line, and Hunting
ton has carried out his plans until,
somewhat like thetraditional Amer
ican eagle, he dips one hand in the
Pacific at Frisco and the other in the
Chesapeake at Newport News.
A good deal has been written
about the New Years reception at
the White House and the various So
cial as well as political phases pre-
sented on that occasion, including
the winning ways of the wives of
Presidential candidates who were
there, but nobody has attempted to
reflect the humors Of the occasion.
The Chinese Embassy, which usual
ly flutters, like swarm of butter
flies, in gorgeous silks and satins,
came to the diplomatic reception in
robes of the soberest and dullest hue,