Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-01-12
THE NORTHWEST
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From oar regular correspondent
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 1888


At the close of the year it is probably
the proper thing to briefly review the
Governments financial condition.
During the month of December, the re-
ceipts from all sources were S29.325, ,25S
and the disbursements were SIC, 400, ,6S2,
q net gain of nearly nineteen millions,
out of which amount about three and a
half millions interest upon the public
debt must be paid, leaving the total
surplus for December nearly fifteen
millions and a half; during that month
the national debt was reduced fifteen
and q quarter millions, and for the
whole year it was decreased little
more than one hundred and seventeen
million dollars-the largest reductions
being made in June and November.
Many of the Congressman who visit
ed their homes during the recess, have
returned, and others are daily arriving
all looking with impatience to the re-
assembling of Congress, when the COM
mittees will be announced and the
work of the session will begin in earn
est. 1t is understood that Speaker
Carlisle|has finished his most tedious
and troublesome undertaking-that of
making out his committee lists, and
with his great experience, it is conf
IDENTIFY believed that his work will be
acceptable, although many members
will be disappointed at their assign
ments. Those not familiar with the
workings of Congressional ambition
cannot conceive of the jealousies and
chickering's of aspiring statesmen in
such matters. If members name
does not appear first on committee,
he would like to be second Or third;
every Congressman has a settled aver
sion'to appearing last on committee.
Under the lead of those Republican
malignants, Senators Sherman, Hoar
and Edmunds, a concerted effort is be-
ing made to defeat the confirmation of
Mr.. Lamar, but it will probably fail of
its purpose, although it may defer
action on the nomination several weeks.
The proposed promotion of the Secre-
tary will be made the occasion of q
lengthy and heated partisan debate by
the Republicans, in which the South
will be severely assailed. Senator Saw
yer, of Wisconsin, and one or two other
Republican Senators, have intimated a
willingness to vote for Mr.. Lamar's
translation, and there is little doubt of
his ultimate success.
The Democratic Senators are very
pronounced in favor oftariff reform and
they have appointed committee, of
which Mr.. Kenna is chairman, to con-
fer with the party leaders in the House
on the issue of tax reduction, as such a
bill must necessarily originate in that
body. Mr.. Kenna's selection is signifi-
cant, as his views on the question of
tariff legislation are known to be con-
servative, and it is therefore thought
that he is inclined to favor compro.
mise measure.
Both parties realize that the tariff
must be revised, and they are ac
cordingly making preparations with
the view of accomplishing that Object
and at the same time preserving par
tisan alignments. 1t remains to bt
seen whether such difficult feat il
political gymnastics can be executed
successfully.
The report of the Pacific Railroad
Commission will be one of the mos
important measures brought to the at
tention of Congress, and it is hopeC
that this giant corporation will be com
PEELED to fulfill its contract with tht
Government whose forbearance it ha
exhausted. Ex-Governor Pattison'
minority report is most severe bu
just arraignment, in which Republican
and millionaire United States Senate
Stanford and his bonanza associates ar,
handled in q manner truly refreshing
and convincing and it is hoped that hi
views will direct the policy of Cor
gress.
Among the Presidents Christina
presents were frozen watermelon ant
alive golden eagle. 1t is supposed tina
the melon was disposed of at the Whit
House, but Mr.. Cleveland having II,
place about the mansion for the prout
bird of liberty, presented him to tn
"Zoo' at the National Museum, to keel
company with the bear, deer, prairi
dogs, wolves and red foxes, recentl.
received from the West, and which it i
believed will form the nucleus of
large collection of American wild ami
mails and fowls.
-s&s