Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-01-17
LATEST FROM THE POTOMAC,
What Congress is Doing-Coming
Inauguration,

What Congress is Doing-Coming
Inauguration.
Special Correspondence of the ISTER-OcEAN:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1O.-When con-
gress .~reassembled this week after its
Christmas vacation the house Of repre-
sentatives proceeded at once to defeat
three important bills. The Hiscock
revenue reform scheme was SEM to the
rear with great d%ecisiveness. A cold
shoulder was turned on al attempt
made by Representative Collins to fix n
day for consideration of the Lowell
bankruptcy bill. and the Mexican veter,
n were warned that they need expect
nothing from the house so long as the
senate refuses to recede from its amend
ments made to the Mexican pension
bill last session.
1t was the day for making motions
under suspension Of the rules, and a
delightful post-holiday harmony had
prevailed in the house up to the moment
that Representative Hiscock precipitat-
ed the first tariff conflict of the session.
He wanted to pass a bill abol;shing the
interna. revenue tax Oh tobacco, cigars,
snuff, alcohol, brandies, ETC., stating it
would reduce the revenues fl ty or sixty
millions annually. The house divided
instantly on the tariff question, and
after half al hours debate, the bill was
buried under the vote of a large major
ity.
o. position to a discussion Of the bank
ruptcy bill was led by Congressman
Hammond, Of Georgia, who said the
business men who asked for the passage
Of the bill were actuated bypure selfish
ness, as were also his constituents who
opposed it. The assertion was made
that if the bill became a law it would
create 5000 new offices, and Represent
alive Willis raised a laugh by All appeal
to spare the Democrats the inhiction of
five thousand more applicants in addi-
ton to those with which they are
already besieged. Mr.. Randall voted
with the southern and western oppo-
nents of the motion, and rs he wa con.
~spicuously active on the floor while the
vote was being taken, the New York
members openly hold him responsible
for the result.
While the pension appropriation,
which passed the house, was being dis.
cussed, Mr.. Warner, of Ohio, inveighed
against greedy pension agents, and
secured an amendment calculated tc
remedy the abuse. He said the piracy
Of the middle ages was an honest call.
ing compared with the operations Of
claim agents in the city of Washington
The pension Office and the interior
department of which it is a bureau, will
be a field in which Presldent-elect
Cleveland will have abundant opportun.
ity to practice administrative reform,
with room for beneficial results. Like
the star route thieves, pension swindlers
are of no party, and their allies in office
will be found among the most plant
and time-serving fawners upon the new
administration.
The exclusive senate has passed a bill
FORGETTING the Oregon land grant this
week, discussed Interstate commerce
and spent much time talking about the
treaties, Spanish and Nicaraguan, be-
hind barred doors. Safe from the gaze
of the. outside world, senatorial dignity
r~elaxes, lifts its feet upon desks, smokes
dozes, tells funny stories, and otherwise
disports itself like ordinary humanit,
under similar circumstances, or like the
house does with the eyes of the worlt
upon it.
: The continued illness of the chief Jus
tice Of the United States has given ris,
to many rumors and much speculation
concerning changes on the suprem,
bench in case of his death or resigna
ton. The family of Justice Waite
however, express no fears that he will
not recover. His daughter was on
calling on two. days of this week, an,
was surprised 10 learn from those whom
she.yisited that her father was near tn
brink Of the grave.
Ola the tempting offices in the gil
OF the incoming president none seen
TO be more eagerly sought than tn
.:' mparrsthnalship of the District. TO pose q