The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-04-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From 0IT Reguias Correspondent.
WASHINGTON. March %, 1884.

WASHINGTON, March %, 1854.
The battle has begun. The Dem-
ocratic f. etions of the house of Rep
resentatiyes caucused on the tariff
bill Tursday evening, and, according
TO prediction, "widened the rift in
their lutte to more pronounced dis
cOrdance. Efforts were made to ere
ate the impression that all went
quietly and harmoniously within,
but after few hours wrangle the
decision was that majority of the
Democratic members of the House
will try to force the passage of some
kind ola tariff bill. and that there is
a large minority able to defeat such
legislation, who reserved the liberty
of doing so if they chose. Debate
was limited to FIVE minutes for each
speaker. Mr.. Morrison opened by
offering a resolution endorsing his
tariff reduction bill. Mr.. Randall
said that it did not meet the wants
of his constituents. Mr.. Reagan
next supported the bill and resolu-
ton. Here Speaker Carlisle arose
as peacemaker, urging the members
to avoid bitterness in the discussion
and beware of a quarrel. Then Gen.
Blackburn demanded that the action
of the caucus should be binding
upon all members present. Mr.. Hop
kins Immediately offered a resOlu-
ton that no one should be bound.
The debate was long upon these
propositions, the arguments being
directed to the effect the measure
would have in the next Presidential
campaign. There was no little ex-
citement and Mr.. Carlisle again took
the floor and waved the olive branch
vigorously in the face Of the oppo-
sition. He also offered a resolution
which was adopted by vote of IS
to 81 to put the tax on fruit bran
dies at ten cents per gallon and re-
peal the tax on manufactured tObac-
co.
The Senate continues discussion
Oh the Blair Educational bill as it
comes up daily in regular order and
the bonded whisky extension meas
ure has been the absorbing topic in
the House; the members Of both
branches showing that they are well
posted on the respective subjects.
On Thursday a vote was reached on
the latter bill and whisky was over
whelmingly defeated. The Senate
has also discussed the Territory of
Dakota, which is likely to have a
hard time OF getting into the Union
as a State, in as much as the ques-
ton promises to be regarded as a
political one. An interesting debate
on nepotism preceded the passage of
a bill increasing the salaries of [. ;.
District Judges to $4,000 a year,
with an amendment prohibiting the
Judges from appointing any relative
within the degree of first cousin to
positions IN the court.
The House discussed the Louisi-
ana foods and voted against a joint
resolution that 100000 be granted
to prevent the overflow Of the Mis-
si,sippe at New Orleans. Another
appeal for aid gave rise to warm
debate on the subject, and Secretary
Lincoln moved that S12j,OO0 Of the
unexpended Ohio food fund be
used for that purpose, which was
finally voted for by both Houses.
4 Anumber of new measures have
been presented to Congress this
week. Among them was one pro
vidng increased facilities for decid
ing upon pension claims, and re-
curing that lawyer and a surgeon
be appointed in each Congressional
district to examine pension claim
ants in person. Another proposes
that the Patent Office be organized
into an independent department
under the control of a commissioner
of patents and to give him exclusive
control of the building known as the
patent office, but now occupied by
the Department of the Interior of
which the patent office is now bu-
reau.
Postal telegraphy is a vexed ques-
ton now, various bills and PROPOSE
tiOns being under consideration in
committee. Representative Sumner
of California. made an argument In
favor of his bill which he asserted
would not cost the Government a
dollar as the money TO establish
postal telegraph would be raised by
the issue of bonds. He maintained
that the telegraphing of the people
could be done at ten cents a message,
and more than clear expenses. In
Mr. Roberts of the postal
company, which has an offer before
the committee said Mr. Sumner was
a practical politician rather than
a practical telegrapher."
On Thursday Congress was me-
by the convention of
American Inventors, now in con-
yention in Cincinnati, against the
of any act injurious to pat
-ntee1. No change in the law relat-
Ing to patents Is probable.