Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-07-02
lJUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


session, and that the session will
be prolonged in consequence. Bust
ness is in a state Of solution AT the
present moment, and may crystal
lie into any shape. Mr.. Randall's
threatened tariff measure is await
ed by the House with interest, and
it is to be given to the public in
full as soon as the copyist Is through
with it.
Randall Democrats say the bill
is carefully prepared, and will re-
duce taxes in accordance with the
spirit of the Chicago platform OF
the Democratic party. Mr.. Morri.
sons friends say it is no bill worthy
of the name, but only a su5terfuge
to get the author and the other
thirty four Democrats who voted
with him ont of the dilemma into
which they plunged themselves 10y
violating the pledges of the party
in refusing to consider the tariff
bill prepared by the Committee on
Ways and Means.
The preSem. week has witnessed
one of the liveliest days of the SEES
sion IN the House Wing of the Cap.
itol. Mr.. Reed, of Maine, set the
two factions of the Democratic
party to fighting among themselves
by haunting the reformers for not
redeeming their pledge to reform
the tariff. Randall and Morrison
engaged in heated wOrdy debate
over the party tariff pledge, stand
ing in arms-length distance of
one another, and gesticulating with
clenched fists each in the others
face, while the Republicans stood
by and enjoyed the fun.
The trouble was inaugurated by
the great revenue reformer, who
proposed new taxation to pay for
pensions, thus attempting practical
" to defeat pension legislation by
cowardly indirection. But the de-
bate took a wide range and tray
eled all over pensions, internal rev.
enue. tariff. and the details of party
platforms. Quite a large number
of members we're drawn into the
medley, sarcastic personalities pass
ed on all sides, and for several
hours the House was in a state of
excitement, while dignified Sena-
tors from the other end of the Capt.
toll left their own prosy business to
hear the battle of words,
Mr.. Hewitt discussed the Chicago
platform from acampaign standpoint
with Mr.. Randall, and Gen. Bragg
of Wisconsin was another Demo
cratic Representative who attacked
the distinguished Pennsylvania,
charging him with being a deserter
from his party. He was also called
out in defense OF himself by Repre-
sentative Mcmillan of Tennessee,
who asked him if he had voted for
the OleOmargarine bill. 81 did,"
said Randall, 81 voted for it be-
cause | think the people Of the
United States should be protected
from fraud"
The result Of the squabble is n
deadlock in the lower branch of
Congress, and unless the Demo
Gratis can get quorum in their own
ranks there is no certainty when it
will end. The issue is plainly this;
The Democrats have adopted the |
policy of levying an income tax for |
pension purposes, and are united |
upon the issue. The Republicans |
use all parliamentary means In
their power to prevent a vote upon
the question. The two Democratic
factions have resolved MOTTO allow
Representative Reed to set them
upon each other any more. On the
after their encounter Nor
-isOn and Randall came into the
House shoulder TO shoulder and
apparently in perfect good humor,
determined to fight out their differ
,nces between themselves.
Representative Allen, of Missis-
,ippi, is now the professional story
eller of the House. a few nights
lgo, when 40 members, who voted
or Mr.. MorrisOn's motion to con-
iider the tariff bill, were invited to
conference in the Hall of Repre-
Mr., Allen told a story
# Texas man who was indicted
or the murder Of guest. When
allied OH TO plead, the Texan told
low the stranger had partaken of
lis hospitality and then reviled and
Dsulted his household gods. Alp
is contumely and insult the host
ad borne with patience, but final
+ the man talked tariff to him, and j
G arose and spat upon him. Mr.. ]
Iorrison himself joined in the
lughter that ensued upon this t
peech. {
A short time since, Mr.. Allen {
hered an amendment providing !
gainst Congress paying for the
neral expenses of members. At c
ONE, he sand, when a pauper died,
le sum of ten dollars was appro. /
rated to bury him, but when t
illionaire Congressman died, the I
ouse appropriated from $4,000 to v
10000 to bury him. Gentlemen u
no went on these excursions had O
Ich a gay time that they did not d
cover their spirits during the re- l
r. Al. aooafnn q