Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-12-26
WHIRLPOOL IN WASHINGTON.
lyesfeya Kansas World CORRESPONDENCE.

lYesfeya Kansas World Coyresbondenoe.
WASHINGTON, Dec. l9, 1885.
Congress is itself again. There is no
pronise of the forty-ninth covering itself
over with any thicker veneer of dignity
and decorum than did its predecessor. 1t
is to be the same old circus, with every
prospect of a.brilliant season. The second
week of the session finds the house in a
regular Democratic family quarrel, IN
which personalities are the chief argu-
rnents interchanged.
The struggle for change in the present
organization of the house and its methods
of doing business has been going on
during the entire week, with no certainty
as to when it will end. There is great
deal of feeling among members on this
subject, and as the debate is personal in
character, it is unusually interesting.
Underneath the dry talk about the rules
there is sharp antagonism to Mr.. Ran
dali, the chairman OF the committee on
appropria tons. 1t is aimed rs retail
atory blow from the author of the de-
ceased horizontal tariff bill. 1t is to
punish Mr.. Randall for beating Mr.. Nor
rison with his obstructive appropriation
bills IN the last congress.
The adoption of the new code of rules
would deprive Mr.. Randall OF much OF
his power by distributing the appropria-
ton bills among the other committees. 1t
would increase the number of committees
having the power to make appropriations
from three to eight.
The Pennsylvania autocrat points out
the danger which he thinks will result
from this apportionment OF money power,
and SAYS if it be done, the day OF wasteful
extravaganza and all its attendant cor
ruptions is near at hand.
Representative Holman, of Indiana,
who because of his parsimony In pro-
viding for public needs, has been called
one of the watch dogs of the treasury,
assists Mr.. Randall in conducting the OPP
position to change of rules. They have
on their side some such men as Mcmillan,
of Tennessee; Hammond, OF Georgia;
Herbert, of Alabama; w. w. Phelps, OF
New Jersy; Burnes, of Missouri; Forney,
of Alabama; Long, of Massachusetts, and
Hepburn, OF Iowa.
The prominent member from New
York, Mr.. Hiscock, made long and able
argument in favor of change of rules.
He said those who oppose a distribution
of appropriation bills do so on the theory
that the majority of the house cannot be
trusted to get their hands into the pub
lie treasury. When he closed he was
heartily applauded on both sides of the
house, and was forced SO hold an i'm
promptu reception in order to receive
thanks and congratulations.
Mr.. Welborn, of Texas, who is said to
look like Daniel Webster, made a thrill
ling shot Grafton about the mischieyous
domination of the house by handful of
men.
Representative Gibson, of West Vir-
ginia, said he did not believe the fifteen
members of the appropriations committee
held all the wisdom and honesty of the
house. Nine-tenths of the members were
practically DISTINGUISHED under the pres
ent system. He had yet to discover that
either Mr.. Holman or Randall had OBJ
jected to an appropriation for their own
states.
Congressman Reed, of Maine, the
chosen leader of the Republican minority,
asked why the house should not be
trusted with scattering out the bills.
The appropriations committee, he con-
tended, had not done its duty, or the
nation would not now be without navy,
and our coasts without defenses. In
creased appropriations, he said, were not
evils if they conferred any benefit on the
people.
Mr.. Ran lall has been under the neces-
s ty Of resenting many personal remarks
during this debate, and thus the impor-
tant but dull question Of rules has pro-
voked a lively fight.
~
In the senate end OF the Capitol, Pro-
hibition has been discussed and two bills
have been passed, the last being the
presidential succession bill. The subject
OF prohibiting the sale of liquor in the
Capitol restaurants led to sharp dis
eussion. One Senator charged that
others, who had not the courage of their
appetites, would have whisky in their
committee rooms, while they voted to ex-
elude it from the restaurants. There
were several sharp thrusts, and Senator
Ingalls, made some satirical remarks,
during which he said that the senate was
straining at gnats and swallowing camels
He sent to the clerks desk and had read
the wine list of the senate cafe. It con-
tanned about all of the choice brands of
wines and malt liquors, although the
keeper had been advertised as the only
man who would run temperance res
taurant. G. A.. s.
The THREE AMERICAS EXPOSITION.