The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-02-21
Our Washington Letter,
WASHINGTON, Feb. l6, 1888
Special to the Democratic Press:

paigns, judging from the action of the
Mississippi and Ohio River Convention
which was in session in this city last
week. The convention was composed
of several hundred prominent business
men, representing the territory and
sentiment of over 100000 people in
terested in the development of Yves,
tern commerce. They want Congress
to appropriate about $40, 100000 for
Western rivers and harbors, and they
said TO Congress, "Give US what we
ask and need, OF our people will rele-
gate you to private life"
WHAT WILL CONGRESS DO ABOUT IT?
Previous to the assembling of this
convention the House Committee on
Rivers and Harbors had informally
discussed the appropriation for the
coming year, and majority of the
comittee seemed to favor $lO,0OO,OOO
limit, and expressed themselves as de.
sirous, if possible, to confine it within
$9, ,000, 600. The estimates of engineers
having in charge the Improvements of
rivers and harbors amount to S35, ,OOO,-
600, and the convention endorsed and
urged the expenditure of even great
er sum than this. But the famous riv-
Grand harbor steal of 81 is still fresh
in the minds of congressman, and the
probabilities are that not over $1G, ,000,
600 will be appropriated this year.
THE EFFECT OF MORRIsoN'S TARIFF
BILL.
Democratic Senators and Represent
atives are cautious in what they say
on the Morrison tariff bill, but it is
clear that the proposed horizontal re-
| duction awakens no enthusiasm and
| is not satisfactory to a large wing of
the party. 1t is now to be considered
in committee. and we are assured it
cannot come back to the House inside
of a month at the earliest. This will
throw over the discussion we'll into
the Spring, when the political caul-
dron will be boiling and the appropri
alton bills are under headway. Hence
the bill has stormy career ahead in
the House, while its prospects in the
Senate are SO small as practically to
dismiss the whole scheme to the do
main of speculation rather than legis-
lation AS a battle-cry the bill can
serve its purpose as well whether
adopted or not, and it is in this direc
ton that its chief Importance lies.
HOW MUCH IT REDUCES THE TARIEF.
The horizontal reduction of the bill
decreases the taxes about S29, ,000, 900,
aud when you add to this the abolish
ed duties on the increased free list, the
sum total swells to $30. 0.000,O00. 1t re-
mains to be seen whether the bill can
pass the House, but eight Democratic
Senators have publicly declared that
they will vote against the measure,
therefore it cannot pass the Senate.
THAT LITTLE WOOL BILL
of Mr.. Converse's, though lamb-like
is nevertheless dangerous thing. Mr.
Converse has been accused of aban-
doning the measure which restores
the duty on wool, his alleged motives
being not to spring upon the House g
principle in distinct contradiction tC
Norrison's tariff reduction. Converse
says Ohio lost over u million dollars
when the Republicans reduced the
duty on wool, and Ohio now demands
a prompt restoration, and he propose:
to secure it or throw the RESPONSE bility
on the heads OF his colleagues. II,
saws he has not deserted his cOnstitu
ents.
CHECKMATING JAY GOULD.
Some months ago when little wa
began between the Chicago, Burling
ton and Quincy and the Union Pacific
roads, it was here published that ia,
Gould was beginning, with this war
!, to carry on his plan for wrecking tn
Union Pacific, causing it to be sold OF
the first mortgage, buying it in him
self, and thereby wiping out over 500
, UO0, 900, Indebtedness to the Unite'
states, which is only secured by secon'
, mortgage. Mr.. Anderson. of Kansas
introduced bill in the House the 9th
7 er day which will save the Govern
ment from such loss. 1t provides tina
/ when either of the railroad companie
indebted to the United States on sec
= ond mortgages shall fail to keep up th
interest on their first mortgage bonds
the Attorney General shall apply for
receiver, who shall thereafter manag
3 the road under the direction of til
Secretary of the Interior, until tn
, debt to the United States is all paid
There are great many people VIII
] think that the Pacific railroad comps
nies never intended to pay the U.
!, when they borrowed this money, bu
if MIR. Anderson's bill becomes law
q the easy, and at present the only Wis
BILE way of freezing out" Uncle Sal
!, as a creditor will be etfectually shU
: off.
D CIVIL SERVICE REFORM DOOMED.
: The House Committee on Civil Sci
!
u first time, and the various bills befor
: it were distributed to sub committee
for consideration. Two of these bill
4 are for repeal of the present Law
The feeling on both sides of the Hous
is one of opposition to the present sys
u tenn. The mention of civil service re
= form always provokes a smile, and tn
. Commission is looked upon as a stand
: ing joke. / could name over hun
dred members, both Democrats an
) Republicans, whe declare that tn
whole thing is a farce, and that the
take no interest whatever in it, Will
fifty others are in direct opposition t
+ it, and pronounce it unpopular an
$ unconstitutional. Though Mr.. Ran
: dali has said that the Appropriation
Committee would report Il bill for In
q Civil Service Commission, il is genel
r ally thought that it will not pass, an
81 = I.,l l,,, hIa ala.l Al