Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-06-24

WASHINGTON, June IA, 1856

During the debate last week on the legis-
lative, executive, and judicial appropriation
bill, there were some very strong expressions
Of opinion both for and against the civil
service law. II is evident that the Demo-
Gratis are anxious to do away with it, as its
faithful observance will etfectually debar them
from office. Still, it is conceded by all that
the strongest hold President Cleveland has
upon the country comes from his apparent
observance of the provisions of the law, and
if the Democrats succeed in repeating ii they
will seal the doom Of their party.
The President yesterday received from the
Committees on Enrolled Bills Of the Senate
and House one hundred and thirty-four bills
that we're passed by Congress while he was
away on his honeymoon, and must examine
them all within the next ten days. AS two
Sundays intervene, and it must be assumed
that the President of the United States OBJ
serves the commandments, he will have
breathing spells, but will have to do up at
least thirteen bills and four-tenths per day
in order to get through with them. Nearly
all are pension bills, but he is in the habit of
examining these as closely as any other, and
will probably veto several Of them, as they
are open to the same objection that he has
raised to others. Among the measures now
in his hands are bills granting pensions to
the widows Of the late General Godfrey
Weitzel, and Colonel Farquhar, Of the En-
gneer Corps. Mrs. Farquhar is the daughter
Of the late General Alpheus Williams,
at one time a member of Congress from
Detroit.
This promises to be an eventful week in
Congress. Each branch Of the national egis-
lature will be called upon to decide momen-
| tous question the Senate whether it really
means to forfeit some Of the more valuable
land grants, and the House whether the
tariff shall be debated The proceedings
in the House will attract most atten-
tion.
Personal and political debates, a, lively as
those which characterized the proceedings
Of the House last week, are also expected
this week, an incidental effect Of which VIII
be to secure increased attendance Of mem
bers. The roll call Of Saturday revealed the
absence Of 40 members, but strong efFor.,
are making to secure full House when Mr.
Morrison moves 10 take up the tariff
bill.
In the Senate The Northern Pacific for
feiture bill is the unfinished business and Il,
p be taken up to-day. When il i disposed
Of, the bill TO repeal the timber culture and
desert land acts vii! he taken up Follow
ing that i IS expected TINT subsidy debate
will take place upon the report Of The dis
agreement Of conferees upon the pos,-ofFcp
appropriation bill The committee on ap-
preparations expect to report the pension and
military academy bills early in the week,
but may no, press them to consideration at
once
Five Of the annual appropriation bills,
namely, the District Of Columbia, vos,-oiiice,
consular and diplomatic. fgriculturr. and
}kpy have pa:y.h 1sA hG't. .rlggs h2gsss apd await
three, The pensions, military academy and
river and harbor, are in the hands Of the
Senate committee; and five, the legislative.
naval, sundry civil. Notifications. and gener-
al deficiency have not yet been passed by he
House Only one,;he Indian bil has reached
the President.
As matter Of great interest to many, my
attention has been called to movement
likely to be made to create bureau for the
purchase Of supple, Of general character
which arr alike needed BY all the depar,
mcnts and bureaus Of the Government, At
present these supplies purchased as need
ed by the several bureaus or departments
for their own use, and are largely furnished
by district bidders. The advocates Of the
change in the present method, say that if all
the supp,ies-such as coal, wood, ice station
cry, carpets, furniture, and the hundreds Of
other articles required BY the Government
were purchased BY one bureau Of supplies,
they could be purchased more cheapIy, be-
cause OF the large quantities aggregated in
one bid. They also ,ay that in case all sup
plies were purchased BY one bureau, bids
would be more largely made BY producers
and manufacturers, and that the cost
would be less because the profit
Of the middlemen would be chopped
off
There is special committee Of Democrat,
OF the House to arrange programme Of
business, and also a conference of chairmen
OF the House committees having like aim |
The purpose Of all this is to force, if pos
sible, an early adjournment Of Congress
But whatever these caucus committees NAV
resolve upon, it Is pretty certain that an
carly adjournment will not be reached.
have examined carefully the state Of the sp-
preparation bills, and can say without fear of
successful refuta,ion, that even if no other
business were attempted, Congress would
not get away before August. unless the Senate
changed its mind