New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-14
A PARTY WITHOUT HOPE.
DEMOCRATIC CoNGREssMEN pERPLExED.
SOME OF THFM BENT on THROWING OFF THE DIS.
GUIsE OF ECONOMY AND REFORM "-aoRRJ-
SONS UNPAINTED WHITE ELEPHANT.
fIY TELEGRAPH To rpy TRtprNEr


WASHINGTON. April I3.-The Democrats in ths
House are panic-stricken. They are afraid, not of
an enemy from without. but of themselves Last
Monday by vote of more than two to one, they
gave the Committee on Public Buildings aud
Grounds control. for an indefinite period of the
business of the House. The committo was prompt
TO act. IL had on the calendar and on the Speakers
table forty-nine bills for new buildings, to cost
nearly $7000,000 IL reported eight more bills.
yesterday, which add about = 10000 to these
figures. Seven or eight bills have been fayoraby
acted upon by the Committee of the Whole. but the
friends of the scheme do not intend to have any Of
the bills voted by the House until all have
passed the Committee of the Whole They mean to
get them all through the House. howe ever, before
the Appropriations Committee brings in the Sundry
Civil BILL which provides the appropriations fot
public buildings. If that committee shall fail to
report In favor of appropriations for the build
ings at Oshkosh, Pueblo and all the other great
cities upon which the Public Buildings Committee
has agreed to bestOw new government buildings,
the latter committee aud its supporters intend to
right the wrong by adding the necessary items 10
the Appropriation bill.
THE ECONOMY AND REFORM FARCE,
1t will be perceived that thei scheme is a compre.
hensve one and hence the panic that has seiksd
upon those Democrats who foresee that if successful
ID
ing political contest.
They have already passed the Mexican Pension
bill, which, if it becomes q law. will take from
$50 0OO, 900 to 800, 900, 900 from the Treasury
and it is whispered that the River and Harbor
Committee will report bill carrying 81 ., 900 900.
Add - 000, 900 for public buildings and tho aggre-
gate of these three measures alone will De sufficient
TO answer TO the Democratic campaign cry Of
economy and REFORM" Other measures of great
Importance and vital interest have been reported
by committees and placed on the calendar, where
they will be likely % slumber. Among them the
shipping bill, the Library bill, the bill for Ma
tiOnal bankruptcy act, a dozen bills TO forfeit
earned land grants. the bill for the encouragement
of the American merchant marine. The Interstate
Commerce bill, bills to regulate the Presidential
succession, and several bills to promote the eih-
cheney of the postal service. 1t is true that nons
of these bills provides for an expenditure Of public
money in the deestricksD of Congressman, but
apart from that they are entitled 10 consideration.
HOLDING TIGHTLY To THE PURSE STRINGS.
But the Committee Public Buildings and its
supporters show disposition TO relax their grasp
on the reins Of business. An effort was made yes-
terday have the special order escinlrd and it
ceived II votes against 10l. This an indica-
tiOn that the opposition to the public buildings
scheme had gained some strength and IL may be-
come formidable enough next week 10 prevent, or,
az least to postpone. further consideration OF the
special order. Some of the Democrats who are OPP
posed to the Morrison bill say they would be
strongly inclined vote for the considera-
tion of the Morrison bill if necessary in or
der to prevent further consideration of the
special order. Stronger proof could not be
found that tho Democrats are now seeking 10
choose among several evils the one which, in their
Judgment. will do the party the least harm in tho
co ming Presidential campaign.
WHAT MORRIsoN's FRIENDS SAY.
Some of Chairman Morrison's friends think
he has almost abandoned the hope Of Sc
curing action upon his tariff bill, and many
Of them express the belief that il will not
be considered. Others who favor tariff
reform" declare the matter has been delayed
too long; that important measures Of practical
legislation are pressing for considerations and that
the majority which will be held responsible,
cannot afford to waste five or six weeks at this
stage Of the session IN vain and iruitless dlscus.
sion of measure which even Chairman Morrison
must admit stands no chance of becoming law this
wear California Democrat said: " My con-
stituents sent me here TO use my best efforts in
behalf of three measures before all Others. First,
an amendment to the antChinese law; second. an
Interstate commerce bill and thrd, the forfeiture
Of uneaIned land grants. Bills for all these pur-
noses are on the calendar, together with many
other important practical measures in winch the
people are interested. 1t is the middle of April;
forr months and half of the session have sipped
away, three months and half more will take us TO
the hrst of August. How can ] Justify myself 70
INV constituents if vote TO enter upon debate
that will consume five or six weeks and end IN tho
occomplshment of nOthingH | do not think even
the most ardent friend of the Morrison bill believes
there ia the slightest prospect that II can become
law Why, them should we waste time IN dlscussnRit
when there are many other important matters tlas
demand our attention and efforts, and IN regard 20
which we may be able 10 do somethngT
RANDALL COUNTING on THE SUPPORT OF FIFTY
DEMOCRATS.
4 Remarks of like tenor are heard from many Dem
Ocrats whose constituents are more deeply inter-
ested in having tins OF that important bill passed
than they would be in listening TO tariff debate
which once began would probably extend into the
dog davs. OF course all such talk strengthens Mr.
Randall aud his friends in their Oppostio TO the
consideration Of the Morrison bill. Mr. Randall
Is expected to have his forces well in hand next
Tuesday TO fight the consideration of the Tariff
bill lie believes that at least fifty Democrats
II has recenty been asserted by some of the free
trade new ,papers that if Chairman Morrison is de-
feated Tuesday he will renew his efforts day after
day 10 secure the consideration OF his BILL There Is
good reason to believe that this statement Is not
Correct. If his mot on next Tuesday is rejected by
"A majority of as many as ten votes ne VII abandon
majority will be more than twice the number men
toned.
MIR. Kasson having changed his mind on the
ouesfion of consideration, nobody Oh the Republi.
can side is trying to influence his party friends 20
vote with the free-trade Democratic faction.
Republican Representatives. who are absent and
moi paired with iree-tTade Democrats next Tuesday
need not be surprised If they find themselves sub.
iected to unpleasant criticism.
LATEST ESTIMATES ON THE MORRISON BILL.
Sneaker Carlisle and Chairman Morrison have
both said to-day, with apparent candor, that there
will be majority on tuesday for the consideration
of the Morrison bill 1t is understood that the can.
shnrrs amin