The Press., 1884-03-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.


 The tariff reduction bill, which has been in process of mal-formation ever since MT. Morrison was made chairman of the ways and means committee, has finally made its appearance in the house, and will be 6 fruitful topic of discussion for some time to come. The political effect of this at tempt to reduce the revenues by striking down important industries will be closely watched. There were two reports sub mitted, one representing the views of the majority. and the other those of the mi nority of the committee the division be- ing on party lines, eight democrats and five republicans. The majority begin thei report by saying what the president said in his message touching reduction of the revenue, while the minority dissent from these views and argue there is no necessi- ty for a revision of the tariff.
 In secret session the senate considered the reciprocity treaty with Mexico. and ratified 1t by vote of forty y-one to twenty. Senator Gibson of Louisiana made long speech against it,,on the ground that 1t ad- mits free sugar in competition with the chief staple of his own state. Senator Jones, and Edmunds also spoke agalns' the treaty, and Senators Coke, Miller (of California; and two or three others SUD- u. the bill for Bureau of labor Statistics, and is now considering the pleuro-pneu- monia bill. It will soon take up the meas ure for establishing uniform system oi bankruptcy throughout the United States, and also the bill providing national aid for state schools. No doubt the necessity fol educating the illiterate will be fully rec ognize d by the upper house, but the strong tendency of the government towards the paternal system, as illustrated in numer- ous projects for local aid from the nation al treasury, has greatly alarmed the dem- ocrats of the lower house, who are trying to make campaign material sut of parsi- mony.
 While the standard of time for the dis trict of Columbia was being discussed i'll the house the other day Representative White of Kentucky offered an amendment to the effect that $25, 1000 be appropriated to put a time ball and dropping apparatus on each of the custom houses in the large ports of entry of the United States, and on some public building in the capital of each state. At noon the naval observatory, by electrical connections, will drop the ball. Ships lying in the harbors and the people in the cities to be provided for, will see the time ball when it falls at noon learn daily the standard time, and regulate their time pieces accordingly, without going around to the silversmiths to learn what time they think it Is.
 The post office appropriation bill which is now the topic ill the house of represen- tatives has provoked some lively debate during which Congressmen Horr, Belford, and Skinner criticised the democrats foI their penuriousness ill wanting to cut down the pay of post-masters. MT. Horl told the majority that they could not gain any political credit by trying to run such department as the post office on the sim pie shibboleth of economy" It convey ed knowledge, information, messages o1 love from homes to homes, and was sacred in the eyes of the people, who pay for il and are entitled to the most complete and efficient service.
 MT. Townshend attempted to show what he alleged to be blunder of the last re- publican congress in regard to the pension fund appropriation, whereupon MT. Horl asked, "Why do you gentlemen initiate only our blunders ?" You would improve much1if you would follow our virtues. Ma, Townshend made the whitening decla ration that they could find no republican virtues to initiate The Michigan mem Der quickly retorted "Why they are strewr plentifulIy along our pathway for the last twenty six years, but some people are col or-blind"
 Last Wednesday had been designated for taking up the Fitz John Porter bill in the senate, and the galleries were filled al an early hour by visitors who expected to hear Senator Logan speak. Senators Sswell and Wilson occupied the time al lotted to the case, and on the following day, again, the Fitz John Porter hour was given to the new senator from Nebraska Mr. Mandersou, who made his maiden ar gument in opposition to the bill. The bill has been passed
 Immediately after the passage of the post office bill, another effort will be made il the house to pass the bill extending the whiskey bonded period. Representative Willis says there is an understanding that no appropriation bill will be brought for ward to antagonize the measure, until { vote on 1t has been secured.
 Hartford Ceurapt At last them bers of the. house committee on foreign af fairs have hit upon a method of making { face at Bismarck-for that is what 1t comes to-tlat suits them all around They