The Portland daily press., 1888-11-21
HAPPENINGS AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
The Prospect for Tariff Legislation
This Winter not Encouraging.
Crowds at the Auction sale Of His
LordshIp's Property.
President Cleveland In Retirement
Writing His Annual Message.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20.-The few Senators
who are in town already are discussing in
formally plans for the coming session. but in
the absence of anything like fair represen-
tation of either party, none of them like to
indicate programme tlfatmay or may not
be followed.
Senator Sheaman thought that the matters
Of the greatest Importance would depend en-
tirely ON the action Of the committees. "The
tariff BILL" said he. will still be under the
direction Of the Senate finance committee.
who will probably decide at very early
meeting what is to be done with it. Only
two of the Republican, members of the COM
mittee, Mr.. Morrill, and myself, are in the
city and it would be obviously improper for
me to say what their action will be. The
committee, however, will likely be called
together before the meeting OF Congress and
the matter talked of at once"
The principal difficulty in the way of push
ing the bill forward, will be In the attitude
of the House which, in spite Of the election.
may De assumed to be nearly the same in
disposition as before the adjourn
ment. Mr.. Mills is certainly Coming
back as much in favor of his bill as
clique who helped him, to rush it through will
abandon u or admit that the popular will is
in opposition to free trade. No concession
OF that kind Is expected from them in any
event, and even IL some of their supporters
have lost enthusiasm there viii still be
enough determined free traders TO prevent
the consideration Of any other tariff bill un-
der such circumstances.
Ihe Senate would not feel like perfecting
Dill only TO have 1t DESTROYED by the House.
and the Republican leaders will be more
likely to work at something which will pro-
duce results.
Besides the important questions concern
ing the foreign relations of the country there
Is y great deal OF pension and other legisla
tion waiting action, alj notice of determine
ga opposition to the Senate tariff bill by the
Mills crowd would undoubtedly bring It for
ward ward. In that case the Republican tariff
PHI would be reserved for the new
Republican House. The Presidents message.
In this condition Of affairs, is awaited
with some anxiety. His attitude on the
tariif Is expected to influence Mills and the
breckenridges. If he still calls for free trade
after the manner of last years message, his
whole following in the House will consider
Il an Endorsement of their position. n NOT.
they Will be left to shift for themselves. No
one who knows Mr.. Cleveland has any idea
tnat ne Will suggest tariff changes along the
line OF the Senate bill or even discussion
starting upon that measure. The general
arntlcipation Is that he will oppose it bitterly.
mat would efectually stop all tariff discus
sion for the session unless his influence is
gone, and 1t Is reasonable statement now
10 say that the free trade message, which is
anticipated from him, means that the Demo-
cratic House is ordered to oppose the Senate
tarln DIil, and that the Senators will recog-
ME ln tnat the Dill might as we'll be dropped.
The Republican Senators will dislike to Stop
lne discussion now and abandon bill which
mas cost them much labor, but there is verv
little else in the outlook.