Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-12-21
WASHINGTON LETTER
Written and Compiled for the HERALD
WASHINGTON, Dec. II, 1888.

friends here, in answer to an in
quiry, stating that he had not been
rendered a portfolio IN Gen. Harrl-
sons Cabinet. The inquiry was
made because 1t was positively
stated here that he had been ten
dered and had accepted the State
portfolio. Among prominent Re-
publicans in Congress there is still
considerable doubt as to whether
Mr.. Blaine will be in the Cabinet,
but from the best information | can
obtain believe that he will be the
next Secretary of State.
Many New York Republicans
here are of the opinion that the
rivalry existing between Senators
Plat and Miller of that state will
prevent New York from having q
representation in the Cabinet.
The Senate committee on the
improvement Of the Mississippi river
and its tributaries have decided to
make an adverse report on the bill
"to make the Lake Borgue outlet"
for the food waters of the Missis-
sippl. This is the plan submitted
by Capt. John Cowden, and which
he has long urged as q substitute
for the Eads jetty system.
The House committee on Manu-
features, which has for a year been
engaged in inves tigatlng the
numerous "trusts" throughout the
country, has not yet decided what
should be done with such combina-
tions, and it is not at all likely that
it will ever arrive at a decision.
The election is now over and the
Democrats can make no more
political capital by fighting trusts,
30 there is to be no more fighting.
That's the plain English of the
matter.
During the last session both the
Senate and House passed bills
forfeiting certain land grants to
various railroads, and yet there is
little hope OF any legislation on that
subject at the present session.
The two bills passed, one by each
House, are radicallydlfferent. They
are now In the hands OF a confer
ence, but as neither side seems
disposed to recede from its position
l do not see how any agreement
can possibly be reached
A concurrent resolution has been
introduced in the House providing
for a holiday recess FROM n < t
Friday until Monday January l.,
two weeks and two days. There
| is little doubt of Its passage in
spite OF the fact that a short time
ago members we're saying that this
recess would be dispensed with.
Queer fellows, these Congressman.
The Senate is not making very
rapid progress with the tariff bill,
and many people are now proph'
esying that it will not be passed
before February.
The bill placing General w. 5.
Rosecrans, at present Register OF
the Treasury, on the retired list OF
the Army, with the rank of Brlga-
der General, has been tavorably
reported TO the Senate.
The Democrats of the House, by
the action of a caucus held last
week, acknowledge that they have
been acting wrong in refusing
admittance to territories entitled
to enter tue MON as States.
Having been so badly defeated IN
the election, they are now prepared
to confess their past mlsdeeds, and
to repeat them as soon as they
think any advantage can be there
by gained. The caucus decided
that Dakota may come in as one or
two states as the people of the two
proposed States may hereafter
decide, ignoring the fact that the
people of Dakota have already de-
cided in favor of two States) also,
that the Territories of Washington,
Montana and New Mexico may be
admitted, provided that all shall
be admitted in one bill. The caul
Gus also decided that separate
bill providing for the admission OF
Utah should be roposed q.
Whether the Republicans of the
| Senate will accept the House ollls
providing for the admissions or
leave the whole matter to ID o
Fiftieth Congress cannot at this
time be said.
Representative Butterwortb, IN
introducing a Oint resolution
looking to the annexation of Can
ada by the United States, has
gwen this country and Canada a
very interesting subject Of discus
sion. Most men whom l have
heard speak on the subject for a
year or two past have expressed
the opinion that sooner or later the
United States would absorb both
Canada and VI exico, the only
difference of opinion being as to
how long and in what manner the
absorption shall take place,
whether the country shall be Sc
cured by peacable negotiations and
purchase or by force of arms. Mr..
Rntterwortb's nlan for the annex