The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-03-29
FROM WASHINGTON.
The Passage of An important Bill De-
Iayed by Its Most Earnest
Supporter.
Advocatds of Free Trade Very On
happy Just Now.
Appropriations for River and t4arbor
provenents In Maine.
FROM WASHINGTON.
Especial to the Press.l


WASHINGTON, March 27.-The manner in
which a bill, the passage of which may be
desired by a large majority of the members
of Congress, and which would be Of great adj
vantage to the country, may be delayed and
perhaps ultimately defeated by the action of
one man, and that man most earnest sup
porter of the measure, was illustrated in the
House last week, in the case of the Congress
sional Library bill. Here was a bill, making
appropriation for the construction of a suit
able building to contain the magnificent and
constantly increasing library of Congress, the
need of which is acknowledged by all save a
few so-called economists who object to the eX-
penditure of money for any purpose what
ever, bill which had the favorable report
of large majority of the committee which
had it in charge, and if a vote could have
been reached would have received an over
whelming vote in favor of its passage, de-
delayed for the present and in all probability
defeated for this session, because one man
wanted to make speech on it. Oddly
enough this man was the very one who had
it in charge, and who was most desirous for
its passage. When the committee on the
library was called on Wednesday, the House
was fully prepared to vote in favor of the
proposed building, and no speeches were
needed to strengthen their readiness, but Mr..
Singleton of Mississippi, had his little speech
which he must deliver, and as the time al
lotted to the committee was but one hour by
the time he had finished his remarks and
''Objector" Holman had made brief reply,
the hour was gone, the opportunity to vote
was lost and the bill went on to the calendar
as unfinished business to take its chances
with the host of other bills already there. 1t
is barely possible that the committee may
succeed in their avowed purpose to call it up
and ask its passage under suspension Of
the rules, on Monday after the call of States
is completed, and it is also possible that it
may be reached in its regular order but the
chances are rather against either. The gold
en- opportunity to relieve the present cramped
and crowded condition of the library was
lost, that one man might air his eloquence
The Tariff Bill.
Probably the unhappiest set Of men at
present in Washington are the advocates of
free trade and the reform of the tariff They
started out at the beginning of the session,
with great flourish of trumpets, and host
of promises of what they would do, and of
claims that they were in majority, and
could compel their opponents in the Demo-
cratic party to yield to them, and now, 10 and
behold, they find themselves farther than
ever from success, and with cause that
grows weaker day by day. The endeavor
they are making to induce Mr. Randall and
his protectionist friends to consent to their
wishes, and allow them to run riot through
the lists of dutiable articles, at least to the
extent that they may not completely break
their promises are almost superhuman. That
they may succeed in patching together some
kind of bill which shall go by the name of
tariff reform bill is possible, and it is even
possible that they may succeed in getting one
through the House, but it will be poor
apology for tariff bill, and is likely to be so
changed in its passage that its best friend
won't know it. The pet and pride of Mr..
Morrison, the tariff bill with which he hoped
to charm the American people is dead be-
yond resurrection. A feeble ghost of it still
wanders around the committee room of ways
and means awaiting final burial, but it lacks
strength to do much execution. In the mean
time the Republicans, and the few protection
Democrats are enjoying the discontinue of
the Horizontal" men.
mr.. DingIey Presents Petitions.
Congressman Dingley presented Saturday
a petition of P. M. Whitmore and eighty
others, ship owners, ship masters and sea-
men of Bath, Me-. also that of j. w. Freder-
ick and ninety others Of Bath, Me-, for the
passage of the bill placing American sailing
vessels on the same basis to pilotage as
American steam vessels.
Personal.
S. c. Andrews, C. A. Cushing and Ash
bell Chaplain Of Portland, and E. P. Davis
and wife of Maine are in Washington.
for Maine Rivers and
Harbors-
WASHINGTON, March 27.--The River and
Harbor Committee this morning completed
the River and Harbor bills. The following
are Maine items:
Rockland $50 900; Saco, $12,5 500; York Har-
bor $4,000; Portland, $4,000; Lubec, $10
600; Mooseabeck, $4,000; Penobscot River,
$4,000; Narragugus, $4,000; Saco, S12,5oo.
Anothsr Cabinet officer H.
WASHINGTON, March 2S.-Attorney Gen
eral Garland is suffering from severe cold
and is confined to his bed. His physician
has ordered him to remain away from the de-
partment for few days
A little change for the better IS reported
from Secretary Mornings sick room.
Minor Matters.
The President has recognized Chas. Allen
Henderson consul of Her Brittannic Majesty
for the States of Massachusetts. Vermont,
New Hampshire and Maine, to reside IN
Boston,
S..ioida Of a Al five of Maine.