The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-12-24
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IS, l

Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IS, 1885.
Oratory has had free play during tne
week, at both ends Of the Capitol. |
Rules in the House of Representatives
and whisky or temperance In the Sen
ale. have gwen to the proceedings of
those bodies some unexpected touches
of color.
The House 10 still talking about q
change of Its rules, with little pros
pect of an early conclusion Of the sub
ject. In this debate Is in all others,
the old evil of tireless talk is painfully
prominent. The tendency of Con-
gressmen to indulge in excessive
speech making is serious impeachment
to business. 1t is more serious than
any of the abuses that were tolerated
under the old rules, or that will be
eliminated by the new code.
The main issue now is distribution
of the power Of making appropria-
tlons among eight committees which
power is now confined to three. MFR.
Randall the chairman of the general
Appropriation Committee is opposed
to this plan and has some strong fol-
lowers ON both the Democratic and
Republican sides of the House. Rep
resentative Morrison of Illinois, leads
the opposition and also has q strong
following. The battle has been sharp,
the galleries have listened with much
interest, and the distinguished Penn,
sylvanian has been tiercely attacked
and has resented some personal re-
marks in q very able and dignified
manner. In reply to thrust made by
a member from West Virginia. Mr..
Randall denied the allegation and said
that he did not deal in personalities in
the Houee. Ifany one wanted to deal
with him personally they o.ght not
to do it there.
The Democrats who oppose a distri-
button Of the Appropriation bills do
SO principally upon the ground that
it will loosen the purse strings of the
Treasury and present an opportunity
for needless extravaganee which will
be charged upon the party. Mr.. Ham
mond, of Georgia, who Is in sympathy
with Mr.. Randall in antagonism to
the distribution of bills made some
powerful arguments against it. He
touched upon the tariff question and
declared that every attempt made by
the Democratic party to revise the
tariff had been followed by Demo
craelc victory at the polls. Morri-
son." he exclaimed, Twas Chairman
of the Ways and Means Committee
when Tilden was elected President"
The Democrats laughed and applaud
ed. Mr.. Hammond said something
about being afraid to try this expert
ment of scattering appropriation bills
since the Democratic party had been
posing for years as the party of econ
omy. A Republican member suggest
ed that the posing Was good. Yes"
said Mr.. Hammond, land the country
has been looking at our posture. and
" Me- uatl1 IL HAS
driven you out Of power"
Speaker Carlisle has not yet COM
pleted the formation of a single one
of his standing committees. He is
waiting on a revision Of the rules. 1t
is his desire to promote as close init
macy as possible between the majority
in the House and the Administration
He has consulted Cabinet officers with
a view to selecting men with whom
they must come in contact, who will
be personally agreeable to them, so
that the party policy may be carried
out without friction. For instance,
Mr.. Eayard has been conferred with
as to the make up of the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, Mr.. Whitney AS
to the Naval Committee, and so on,
though the Cabinet has not urged or
suggested the assignment of partieu-
lar men to particular places. Speaker
Carlisle is SO judicial, SO fair, and so
superior to taking party advantage
in the administration of his duties
that his political enemies even can
find no cause for complaint.
The Senate has passed the Presiden.
tial succession bill, and also the bill
removing the disabilities of Gen. Law
ton, which never existed. Gen. Law
ton is here now, and when the Presi
dent signs the bill, 1t In thought, h
} will appoint the General to the vacan
Vienna Mission. The Succession bill
gives the Presidency to the Cabinet il
case of the removal or death of boil
, the President and Vice President.
> About five hundred of Presiden
Cleveland's recess nominations hav
been sent In SO far and many of tn en-
have been reported back favorabl,
from committee. There are very fey
of them but will stand the test of tn
3 Senatorial 'inqulsition. Members g
5 the House are loaded down with bill
: with which they are anxious to inun
= date the Speakers table. Everythin
D is waiting on the adjustment of th
Il rules.
9 1856 Holiday Excursions. 1SS
Gh hrfafma aa-No1U Year