The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-12-24
Wnsh1ncton Letter..

w aShHn S'COn 1eIBcF.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, lSS5.-Or-
atory has had free play during the
week at both ends of the capitol.
Rules in the house OF representa-
tlves and whisky or temperance in
the senate, have given to the pro-
ceedings of those bodies some I'M
expected touches Of color.
The main issue now is a distrlbu-
ton of the power of making appro
priations among eight committees
which power is now confined to
three. Mr.. Randall, the chairman Of
the general aspirations committee,
is opposed to this plan and has
some strong followers on both the
democratic and republican sides OF
the house. Representative Morrison
of Illinois leads the opposition and
also has a strong following.
The battle has been sharp; the
galleries have listened with much
interest and the distinguished Penn
sylvanan has fercely resent
edssome personal remarks in a very
able and dignified manner. In re-
ply to a thrust made by a member
from West Virginia Mr.. Randall
denied the allegation and said he
did not deal In personalities in the
house. If any one wanted to deal
with him personally he ought not
oppose distribution of the appro
priation bills do so principally upon
the ground that it will loosen the
purse strings of the treasury and
present an opportunity for needless
extravaganza, which will be charg
ed upon the party. Mr.. Hammond
of Georgia, who is in sympathy with
Mr.. Randall in antagonism to the
distribution OF bills, made some
forcible arguments against it. He
touched upon the tariff question
and declared that every attempt
made by the democratic party to re-
wise the tariff had been followed by
democratic victory at the polls.
Morrison" he exclaimed, 'was
chairman of the ways and means
committee when Tilden was elected
president The democrats laugh
ed and applauded. Mr.. Hammond
said nothing about being afraid to
try this experiment of scattering
appropriation bills since the demo
cratic party had been posing for
years as the party of reform, as the
party of economy. A good republl-
can member suggested that posing
was good. "Yes," said Mr.. Ham
mond, ''and the country has been
looking at our posture, and learn
ing to admire us until it has driven
you out of power"
Speaker Carlisle has not yet com
pleted the formation of single one
of his standing committees. He is
waiting on a revision of the rules.
1t is his desire to promote as close
intimacy as possible between
the majority in the house and the
administration. He has consulted
cabinet officers, with a view to Sc
Letting men with whom they must
come in contact, who will be per
sonally agreeable to them, SO that
the party policy may be carried out
without friction. For instance,
Mr.. Bayard has been conferred
with as to the makeup of the COM
mittee on foreign affairs, Mr.. Whit
ney on the naval committee, and so
on, though the cabinet has not urg
ed or suggested the assignment of
particular men to particular places.
Speaker Carlisle is so judicial, sol
fair and so superior to taking a
party advantage in the administra-
ton of his duties that his political
enemies even can find no cause for
complaint.
The senate has passed the presi-
Dental succession bill, and also the
bill removing the disabilities of
Gen. Lawton which never existed. !
Gen. Lawton is here now and when |
the president signs the bill it is
thought be will appoint the general |
to the vacant Vienna mission. The
succession bill gives the presidency
to the cabinet in case the removal
or death of both president and vice
president.
About five hundred of President f
Cleveland's recess nominations
have been sent IN so far and
many of them have been reported
back favorably from committee.
There are very few OF them but
will stand the test of the senatorial
Members of the house
are loaded with bills which they are
anxious to inundate the speakers
table. Everything is waiting on