, 1884-02-02
Washington Letter.
tFKoN OuR REGULAR CoRREsPospEs1)
Jauuarv 10Th 1904


January. 10Th. 1884.
Ihis has been another busy week in
Congress On Monday, the day Of ev-
eFY week SET apart for the introduction
OF bills, a large number of important and
unimportant measures were thrown up-
on the clerks desk, read, and referred.
Committees have been hard at work. Tn.
Senate rules have been discussed and
adopted. The Mississippi river improve
ment appropriation has passed both
Houses and been approved by the Presi.
dent. But the two topics which both
Houses have discussed with most earnest
ness, because the questions involved
touaa en the business interests OF the
couu'r', are the trestj with Mexico, and
the European prohibition OF American
pork and beef, for alleged sanitary rea-
sons In the defense Of the rights of
the hog, some Of the speeches favored a
rctaliato.y policy. The inhibition of ar
ticlea non priveleged to compete with
home products Others suggested rigid
governmental inspection and official
stamping OF the package to be shipped.
The Mexican treaty touches on the only
living issue" in providing for free sugar,
and the House has adopted a r9soluaon
raising the question of the constitutional
right OF the Senate to ratify treaties that
affect ths revenues. That ''the first step
is the most difficult may be applied to
tbe embryo tariff revision The Chair
Men and members OF the Ways and
Mssns committee are ready to 90 to
work, hut they arc beset with many
difficulties, one of which is the late reyis.
ION Of the Republican fctiuns concern
Ing Democratic family ross. Hostile fac
lions and party splits on the tariff quss-
ton, Go not find credence among tLose
who seek to know the truth. The ma
lori:y Of the committee favor a conserva-
i've polioy, and will most probably take
some conservative action to secure Ohio
to the Democrats. Recognizing the
wool interest, they talk of presenting a
separate bill on the subject. OF course
there Is difference between Democrats
as TO what should or should not be done
with the tariff, but there is no disposi.
tion, so far as can learn, ON the part
of either side TO contend obstInately for
rs policy. On the contrary both are
inclined to settle tremendously upon
some fair bass. The Republicans are
as much divided on the tariff as the
Democrats, but they try to eyade the
Issue iii meetings, while the Democrats
uIreseryeiiy speak out their views. This
fact may have gwen rise TO reports OF an
.mpeadins spit IL tie party, out 1t Will
present Solid front to the enemy next
fell. The Consideration of the tariff
question a. comuittes vii! no doubt be
prolonged. /. is not expected report
will De made before the latter part OF
April, bu5 prominent Democrats, bo'h
free trader. and protec:ionists, think
tariff bii. will BE- reported that viii pass
The HUusa Chairmln Morrison says
thai al Iest,lns pertaining 70 the re-
vis.on OF tae present tariff schedule, the
internal revenue taxation, and the extern
son ii the bonded period on distilled
spirits will bs considered by the full
con.rl:-t.e, while The sub-commit:ees
vii a,y. caarge of all matters of routine
pertaining to he;taIif and internal rev.
enua, tho matters of refunds and other
general busines.
The National Democratic committee,
which meets in this city on The twenty sec
ond OF February to name ths time andplace
fer holding the national convention for
the nomination Of President and Vice
President, will consist of one member
from each state. The territories will not
5e represented
Delegations from New York, Boston,
and Philadelphia, interested in shipping,
were at the Capitol this week. They ap
peared by invitation, before the House
committee n ship-building and gave 'te'r
views as to legislation for the revival OF
American shipping.
A national convention OF commerciai
bodies favoring the enactment OF uni
form bankrupt law is now holding meet
ing IN the city at Willards Hall. Some
seventy commercial tolies have delegates
present
A large aumber of new House COM
mittees that have been formed by the
present Congress, through the DIVISION
~ the work of standing committees, can
not tind accommodation in the Capitol
Gen Ben. Batter proposes to lease MS
.ranite mansion on Capitol hill Tor tne
use OF these committees As IL VIII
furnish twelve good committee rooms ana
is very convenien. to the honSe ana
the Capitol it will probably be rented oy
the government.