Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-13
Telegraphed Letter.
WASHINGTON, d. c., May 10, 1873

WAsuINGToN, d. c., May 10, 1886
The newspaper correspondents OF
this city have had but little to do for
several days now, and are compelled to
cudgel their brains and indulge their
imagination to find something to inter-
est your readers.
The excitement over Jeff Davis trip
through the South is dying out, partly
because the Democracy, if they SO feel,
do no dare to express open sympathy
with his utterances, and partly because
bigger trouble than Jeff Davis has
crowded him out.
The President has given personal
attention to many of the pension bills,
as he is afraid some mistake will be
made by Congress. He has, however,
sent in no vetoes recently.
Summer will soon be here, and that
before Congress is ready for it. The
talk of war between Greece and Tur-
kew excites the attention of all,
especially contractors. Everybody
seems to want to sell something these
DAYS. and it does not seem to matter
with them what sends them custo-
mer.
Hardly anything has been thought
of or talked of during the past week
among Congressman, visitors and resi-
dents, except the strike troubles.
Here, at headquarters, all sorts of
officials are overrun with visitors,
Iettees and advice on the Situation. "
Never before in the history of the
country has there been such an upheaV-
III and clashing of commercial interests.
Nearly every one has suggestion to
make or a remedy for the financial
sufferings of the people, but time rolls
on and nothing is done. The greatest
difficulty is found, not in the laws or
requirements of Labor organizations,
but in giving satisfaction to the COM
munistic element to be found in and
out of these societies. Honest, law
respecters and law abiding labor can
be dealt with satisfactorily. The law
Of supply and demand must regulate
for all time the price of labor and the
price of manufactured goods. But
nothing short of ruin and an overthrow
of law and order will satisfy the fol-
lowers of the red flag in this country,
and since the bloody inauguration of
an intended "reign of terror" by them
in Chicago last week, Americans,
native born and adopted, who love our
institutions and hate the diseases that
aflict the effete monarchies of the Old
World, are coming to the conclusion
that this un-American thing, this
fomentor of discord and rebellion, this
enemy to decency, right and true lib
erty, Socialism, must be crushed,
rooted out and driven from our
borders.
The eight hour question complexities
the strike. Some want less hours and
the same pay, or more. Some fewer
hours with less pay ; some with fewer
hours without regard to pay, and it
will be many months before these
questions will be satisfactorily adjust
ed. The country is waiting and
wondering how it will all end.
Business at the Capital has been
dull during the past ten days. This
is beyond all doubt the slowest Con-
gress that ever held its sessions in the
Federal Capitol Not single appro-
priation bill has yet been signed.
This grows out of the fact that there
are many new members, and all are
anxious to talk, and then there is
great difference between the Demo
cratic majority in the House and
President, so much so, even such
man as Hewitt, of New York, never
goes to the White House.
The River and Harbor bill passed
the House on Thursday last by good
majority. 1t is believed it will be
adopted in the Senate.
Phil Armour. of Chicago, was
among the distinguished men who Wis
ited Washington last week.
The Anti Chinese Emigration bill
and the bill to indemnify Chinese
subjects for losses at Rock Springs
will be considered to-day, and the
Pacific Funding bill tomorrow.