The Daily Tombstone., 1886-04-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, April 5, 1886.

| .leFeu IDaG when the EQmOnds' feSO- lutions were passed by the Senate last week that the matter had been finally disposed of. Practically, however, the debate has been resumed, though the public will no longer be afflicted, as the scene of the battle has been transferred to the secret executive sessions and Republican caucuses. The Republicans have diseovered that they are as Iaach at sea as ever as to ] how executive nominations are to be | cated. The trouble origin ated in some very lain words used by Sen ator Logan regarding the hypocrisy of some of his colleagues in proposing to confirm internal revenue collectors immediately after declaring them- selves in favur of the Edmunds' reso- lutions. The Illinois Senator's speech led to replies from several senators, and these In turn to others, until the Republicans found themselves so thoroughly tangled up that it became necessary to call a caucus to set them selves right again. The question, concerning which there seems to be a difference of opinioh, is as to whether the Edmunds' resolutions shall be considered as basis for future action or as a mere enunciation of principle,
 The House committee on foreign affairs voted Uh Friday to favorably report the bill authorizing the Presi- dent to invite the governments of Mexico, Central and South America to join the United States in confer ence to consider questions relating to the business relations between the countries, and to encourage tuch re- ciprocal commercial relations us will benefit all.
 Judge Thatcher, of Kansas, late nenibef of the South American Con- mission, called upon the President oh Friday, He stated tu Mr. Cleve- land what in his opinion was needed to foster commercial relations be- tween the United States and South America. He said that steamship lines Wire required 90 carry the pro ducts UE this tUdntry to thUse parts of the world, and that suct lines could not be established unless the Govern ment encouraged capitalists Co invest their money in this way by liberal compensation for the transportation the mails.
 The House has spent most of the week in discussing the labor arbitra- tion-bill. -dany amendments have been made, and a great variety of opinions have been expressed during the debate, and although there is no prospect of an immediate disposition of the bill, it is quite certain that If q vote is reached it will be in favor of tile bill, principally because major Ity of the members prefer to go be- fore a constituency of worklngmen with record of having labored in their interests. There are many, however, who believe that the bill will never be voted upon. and there is n doubt but that in it's present form 1t is open to serious objection.
 The sudden and serious illness of Secre etary Manning has led to an in- vestigatiOn of the sanitary condition of tine treasury Department building which results in the disclosure of some startling facts. It was found that sewer pipes running beneath the floors of the corridors in the base ment had not been cleaned during the past ten years, and a mass of de- bris having accumulated in the pipes 8 free circulation of air wus prevent d. Breaks in the pipes allow foul air to escape. To this depIorAble and dangerous condition of affairs is doubtless due much of the sickness winch has prevailed among the in- mates of the building. There are more thah 2,00O persons regularly employed in the building, in addition to the great number of persons whose