National Republican., 1884-01-19
on THE AVENUE.
Small Talk About rgep ana Measure

Small Talk About rIeD ana Measures.
''t think" said Gen. Shelley "that tho
senate ought TO mako its discussion Of the
Mexican treaty public. All discussions of
our foreign relations ought to be public, OK
Ccpt when secrecy is required upon any
matter for the purpose of maturing it. Logis-
lativo bodies ought not to have secrets. The
political parties can have as much secrecy
about their little affairs as they like but
iho proceedings of tho legislature are tho
property of the people, In the case of the
Mexican treaty, for instance, the pcoplo-al
the pcople--Of the nation are Interested in It,
and if the proceedings Of tho senate were
known some suggestions might be offered
which would do good. Of course, informa-
ton Of what goes on in executive session
leaks out, but it is always taken with allow.
anccs because IL isntauthoritative. Many of
tho senators, believe. are in favor of abolish
ing the closcd-door sessions, and | should like
to see the subject agitatcd until the doors
wcro left open"
"It's a very funny thing" said the Georgia
statesman, "to hear these southern senators,
who have been talking free trade so long, now
talking against this Mexican treaty because
Mexican sugar and tobacco are to be admitted
free Of duty under it. FREQ trade is all right
in their minds 50 long rs it touches only steel
and iron and wool, hut it's an extremely bad
/ thing when it cuts down the price of tho stuff
/ that their constituents use. They arc like
Senator Bayard, who wanted tho tariff re-
duccd on everything but matches. The man
on the outside gets to have some doubt as TO
| tho dsintcrcsied, patriotic motives of digni-
fed senators when they blow hot and cold in
that fashion,"
"This O'Donnell affair has not hurt
Howitt's chances for tho presidency in tho
least" said one of the protectionist demo.
Gratis, " for he never had any. He's too ILL
naturcd man for that position. He's got
the dyspepsia, and that sums up the whole
case. 1t keeps him mad and ugly and rude
all the time. Besides that, he is insincore
| think he made the most dishonest speech
on the tariff last session that was ever made
in the house. lie advocated the free import
alton of material, and tried to convey the
impression that he was q free trader, but he
wanted manufactures in which he was inter
ested protected. He wanted free scrap iron,
but protected wire. | think the man who
digs the ore out of the ground is rs much
entitled to protection Us the man who works
it up
ga
The discussion OF the Fit2-John Porter bill
to-day will probably develop all the opposi-
ton that that measure will meet with in the
house. The following speakers are listed to
present their views during the consideration
of tho matter:
For the Representatives Curtin,
Greenleaf, Maginnis, Follett, and Talbot
Ray of New Hampshire, Laird Baync and
Ranney, republicans.
Against the ill-Representatives Cutchin
Browne, Keirer Thomas, Call,ins, Iiorr,
Robinson, and Boutelle, all republicans.
| The speech of Gen. Slocum was his maiden
effort in the house, and boro evidences of
careful preparation. He read it from manu-
script, and while he made no effort whatever
at oratorical effect, it was evident that every
element of his earnest nature was thoroughly
enlisted in the effort to secure the
long deferred vindication of his friend
When interrupted, as. he frequently was, he
evinced degree of nervousness that was
somewhat remarkable in man of his well
known coolness. and was much Disconnected
several times by the adroit questioning of
MIR. Calkins and others.
e%a
democratic politician from New York
city said to the Avenue Man last night that
Mr.. Hewitt had not only played havoc with
his own political fortunes but made it u
| n = ,,,I,. ~.
democratic party in the'state would not be
overwhelmed in the storm Of indignation
that had been aroused by his questionable
conduct and inconsistent explanations of the
same.
"You have perhaps noticed" said he, "that
Patrick Ford has called up the matter and
asked Mr.. Hewitt to rise and explain. The
result of this is letter from Mr.. Hewitt that
is even worse than any of his former attempts
to justify his conduct. Now, this sort OF
equivocation will never do with Ford. His
paper, the CGkoFc U'OHd, is, per-
haps, the most influential one in the
United States with lri5h-Americans and from
the manner in which he is taking hold OF
this question ! am convinced that there will
be music in the air shortly. Some of the
shrewdest politicians in our state do not
hesitate to say that Mr.. Hewitt has made an
awful mess of it by not bringing the matter up
in the house himself as soon as il was made
public, instead of waiting to be forced to
his feet, as ho undoubtedly will be
by the resolution introduced by Mr., Brumm
to-day. I'm afraid that when the true in
wardness of the whole affair is arrived at we
will find matters very much complicated fol
Mr.. Hewitt by the presence Of Lord Vernon,
who was, you will remember, present at the
interview between Mr.. Hewitt and the
British minister; and may prove an awkward
witness il his testimony should bo forth
coming as to the real character Of that inter
view.n
ANiUSENIE&VS.