The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-03-30
WASHINGTON LETTER
From our Regular Correspondent

.
WASHINGTON, March &c, 1888.
The sudden and unexpected death
of Chief Justice Waite, of the United
States Supreme Court,on Friday morn
ing, at his residence in this city, was
like thunderbolt from a cloudless
sky. Everybody was shocked. Few
people knew that he was sick, he hav-
ing on Monday presided over the ses-
sion of the court which made somp
important decisions, including the one
in favor of the III Telephone Com
pany. Justice Waite was very popu
lar in this city. He was loved aud
revered by every one with whom h
came in contact and his loss will b.
deeply felt by large circle of friends.
Justice Waite was an honest, pains
taking, upright officer, and the seven'h h
man who has held that dislingnishei
place. He was appointed Chief JUS
tice from Ohio in 1874, by President
Grant, and was the successor of Sal
mon P. Chase. The funeral services
will be held on Wednesday in the Hall
of the House of Representatives, and
the remains will be taken TO Toledo for
interment Mrs. Waite, who was Wis
iting California at the time of the Jus
tices death, is on her way to Toledo,
and is expected to reach there about
the time her husbands remains arrive
there.
The political Importance of this
death can hardly be over estimated
If the proper appointment shall be
made to the vacancy, it will have great
effect towards bringing the court back
to the strict construction of the consti-
tuition for which it was noted previous
to the late war. This appointment,
owing to the even manner in which
the opinions of the eight justices are
now balanced, places more power as
well as larger responsibility on Mr..
Cleveland, than has probably ever be-
fore fallen on President.
Still the country need have no fears.
He will appoint the right man.
Among democrats here it is pretty gen.
orally believed that the appointment
will 60 either to speaker Carlisle, or
Postmaster General Dickinson, al
though quite number of other gen.
tlemen are favorably mentioned. Blu,
everybody may be sure the President
will take his own time to gil this i'm
portant position, after carefully con-
sidering the claims Of all.
The House has passed bill to pre-
vent the products of convict labor
from being furnished to or for the use
of any department of the government,
and from being used in public build
ings or other public works, and to pre-
vent the employment of alien labor on
public buildings and works and in the
government departments.
Civil Service Commissioner Oberly,
of Illinois, is being favorably men
toned for the Vice Presidential nomi
nation. Cleveland and Oberly, does
not sound 30 bad.
Chairman Barnum, of the National
Democratic Committee has been here
for several days He says the out look
is all that could be asked.
The Senate has passed the bill redu,
cling the postage on seeds, bulbs, plants
shrubs, &c, to four cents a pound.
The House Committee on Revision
of the laws have reported favorably
the joint resolution proposing al
amendment to the constitution for the
election of United States Senators b,
the direct vote of the people.
Senator Salisbury, of Delaware
made a strong speech in the Senate OIL
Thursday in support IF the President
message. He said "rhe democrats
party is net in favor of free trace, bu
it is earnestly in favor of reducing tar
iff rates so that no greater t,xatiol
would be imposed on the PEOPLE thai
was necessary TO meet the just de
mands of the government" He furth
er stated that be was in favor of re
tanning the taxes on beer, whisky an
tobacco, in order to relieve from taxa
ton everything essential TO the CON
fort and welfare of the people.
The report sent out from this cit
that the committee bayiDg charge q
the matter had secured money enoug
to purchase residence for the wido,
of Gen. Hancock, was mistake. Th
committee has made report throug
its chairman, Mr.. Slilson Hatchin
which shows that they are still in nee
of subscriptions to the fund. II
extremely probable that this statemer
will bring in contributions enough I
accomplish this very laudable purpos
The International Council of Won
en- held their opening session yesterda
afternoon. Many dist slnguish.d won
en- from all parts of the country are /
attendance. The council will last
week.