The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1886-12-29
Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, Dec. IS, 1886.-(Special
correspondence = What Congress is
likely to do one day ahead no one can
safely say. Senator Sherman made
a remark in regard to the work of the
Senate, which Speaker Carlisle repeated
in reference to the work of the House
and it was that there were many pos.
sibllities. Neither branch of Congress
adhered to the program which had been
arranged for it in the early part of the
week.
No one expected a Tariff debate to
como off in the Senate, but everybody
was prepared for an agitation Of theq
ton in the House on Thursday. As
chance and circumstances would have it,
the Senate made Tariff speeches, and the
House decided to defer the subject
Then Col. Morrison proposed to ask the
House to proceed to the consideration OF
revenue bills, and the friends Of the
Tariff legislation think his motion will
prevail.
A story was printed t. the effect that
the President had promised to aid Mr.
Morrison by securing four votes for him
from the New York delegation. Ofcourse
everybody knew that the President
would not do anything of the kind. The
story had its foundation in the fact that
several New York Democratic members
who voted against consideration of any
tariff measure at the last session, have
since changed their views, and will vote
with Mr.. Morrison.
If the issue cannot be eyaded 1t is I'M
derstood that the present plan Of the
Republicans in the House is to strike off
the tobacco tax S28,0O0,OO0; to strike off
90 per cent Of the sugar duty, $10,O00,O00;
to make alcohol used in the arts and
manufactures tax free, which would
strike off so, 100000 more. This would
reduce the revenue S4S,OOO,0 900 in all.
When the Senate was talking Tariff, a
disappointing speech was made by Sena-
tor Dawes, of Mass. His associates knew
that he was trying to be reelected to
the Senate this winter, and as some OF
his constituents have views on Tariff
subjects, interest was felt in the drift OF
his remarks and rather better attention
was given him than the Senate usually
accords to speeches. The Senator began
with patitudes which no one cared to
dispute, dwelt at length upon the past
policy of The Republican part! which, he
said had been to reduce customs, duties,
and internal taxes to the point nearest
the needs of the Government; criticised
Secretary Manning's report, and finally
wound up with some sneering comments
upon the Presidents message.
ThePresident made his disappearance
in public since his illness ut the thcater
where he saw Lawrence Barrett in
"RienZi." The audience included many
others distinguished in public and social
life. Among those in the boxes were
noticed Speaker Carlisle, Gems. Sherman
and Sheridan. Chief Justice Waite and
family. Hon. $. $. Cox and several Sena-
tors and Judges Col and Mrs. Lamont
sat in the box with the President and
Mrs. Cleveland, and Distracted Il view of
the President greatly to the annoyance
Of hundreds of curious eyes. Some iinger-
ing rheumatism was apparent in the
presidents deliberate movements and
Sight limp, but otherwise he looked well.
On one occasion President Arthur attend
ed the theater here in ultra English
style, bringing in his foOtman to stand at
his box during the performance. On
another occasion, however, he came
without a reserved seat, and as there
was only standing room left, took Il posi-
ton in the crowd until some friend saw
and sent for him.