Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-03-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.
lFrom our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON Mar. & ISSI


WASHINGTON, Mar. 5, 1888.
After many months Of hard labor,
Mr.. Mills and his Democratic colleagues
of the House Committee or Ways and
Means have perfected tariff bill, which
Is now before the whole committee. II
will be reported to the House at the
earliest practical moment, which means
when the Republican members OF the
committee have exhausted all the
methods of delay to which parliament
tary usage entities them.
The bill does not entirely satisfy
every Demoerat-no bill would. 1t is
not an ideal revenue reform bill, nor
such a measure as the gentlemen who
framed it would have presented had
they been clothed with plenary legisla-
tive authority. Practical statesman
ship recognizes the Limitations imposed
by conflicting views and opposing in
terests. Still 1t is bill that is likely to
be supported by every member of the
party, as the most expedient that can
be had at present. It puts wool,
lumber and salt on the free list and ma
terially reduces the duty on sugar, and
it is estimated that it will reduce the
revenue. Oh Tie OONcIllutIb W bhC GA
tent ofS50, 100000.
Candor compels me to say that at
this time there is much doubt as to
whether the bill will pass the House,
owing to the willingness of certain
members to sacrifice the interests Of the
country at large as well as the Demo-
cratic party, because the bill would, If
it became law, injure some petty in
dustry in their own districts.
Shouldn't there be some way of
whipping these men into the party
traces or else out of the party alto
gether? The Democratic party is
pledged to revenue reform, on that
issue it won the last Presidential elec-
ton and hopes to win the next; though
how twill do it if the House of Repre-
sentatives, with q Democratic majority,
shall refuse to pass tariff bill looking
towards reform, is more than the most
clearheaded politician can see just now.
However, there is time enough for the
people to be heard from on this subject,
and what is demanded by the people is
seldom refused by Congress. Let the
Democratic press bring the greatest
power of modern times-public opinion
to bear on this question.
The new tariff bill is approved by the
President and the Secretary of the
Treasury-and I might also add by a
majority of Democrats.
From this time on the House will
hold evening sessions on Friday for the
consideration of private pensions and
political disability bills.
The Senate committee having in
81, kIo OF sak Nf ~. hi In
cided against the Platt prohibition
bill, and is disposed to refer the ques-
ton of prohibition, high license, or
no change in the liquor law, to di-
rect vote ofthe citizens of the District.
In other words they are in favor OF
local option in the District.
The bill authorizing the issue of pa
per fractional currency in denomina-
tions of10, Is and 25 cents is likely to
become a law. The House committee
on Banking have ordered favorable
report thereon.
Next Thursday the House committee
on manufactures will begin taking
testimony in it's investigation of the
various "trusts." Some interesting
developments are expected.
The House committee on pensions
has made a favorable report on the bill
relating to claims for pensions by de.
pendent parents. 1t will Only be nee
essary to show that the soldier was en-.
titled to q pension. and that he left nc
widow or minor children, and that the
parent or parents are dependent. The
committee has also made favorable
report on the bill authorizing the pay
ment of the pensions of habitually in
toxicated persons to their wives or tt
guardians.
The joint resolution changing the
time for the commencement of the
Presidential term to April 80, ant
changing the date for the annual meet
ing of Congress to Jan. 1st, has beer
favorably reported to the House.
Mr.. Edward Cooper, ex-Mayor o
New York City, and brother-in-law o
Mayor Hewitt, who has been accused
of intriguing against Mr.. Cleveland
nomination, was in this city for severa
days last week, and most emphatically
denied the accusation and at the samt
time said that he was for Cleveland
first, last, and all the time. While
here, he spent much time in consulta
tion with the President and Col. La
mont.
The Government Printing Office in
vestigation is still slowly dragging
along. Mr. Benedict was on the stanC
Saturday and the Republicans put him
through rigid cross examination, bu
failed to make point against him.