The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1888-02-15
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Habits of consress-The Tariff Middle Music
and the Drama.

and the Drama.
Special Correspondence Of thg PnldtJsd Nens
WASHINGTON, February II.
To-day is Holiday, at least for Con-
gress, for neither house has hoisted the
flag over their respective halls. As
general rule the Senate adjourns on
Thursday of each week, to meet on the
following Monday. The House usually
finds something to keep them busy until
Friday, and then takes recess. The
extra days are devoted to the DISPOSE
ton of committee work-the real work
of Congress.
To-day the committee to investigate
the Reading Railroad strike, is listening
to the strikers story as related by Mr..
Lee, while the Pacific Railroad Commit
tee have heard from Charles Francis
Adams and Judge Storey, on the best
plan to settle the differences between
the Pacific roads and the Government.
1t seems highly probable that this mat
ter can be disposed of with satisfaction
to all parties concerned at an early day.
THE BONE OF CONTENTION.
Not whisper can be heard regarding
the great question of the hour-the
tariff. Every one seems to be on the
anxious bench. not daring even to hope
what may be the result of the Ways and
Means Committees conferences:
Administration Democrats assert the
belief that the bill when reported, will
be based on the recommendations of the
President, while the Protectionists de-
clare that If such be the true state of af-
fairs, that it will not pass-but that
counts for but very little.
The main trouble that arises at this
time is the fact that every tariff re-
former is Protectionist when it comes
to industries which thrive in their res
pective States. TO a certain degree they
are inconsistent IN their theories, while
posing as the exponents of reform
system.
Take Louisiana for instance. She
has representation in the House of six.
OF this number four have avowed their
purpose to join in every effort to defeat
any tariff bill in which is incorporated
clause for the material reduction of the
duty on sugar, that being one of the
main industries of the State. The other
two are more liberal in their reform
views, and will support bill which
does not reduce that duty more than
twenty five per cent.
This sugar question viii be a great
bone of contention. Those members who
oppose reduction are at the same time
uneasy lest till will be presented which
will leave sugar unscathed. Their point
is this. If such course is pursued, it
naturally follows that other industries
must be reduced which will be the
cause of a combine on the part of the
representatives of the industries so re-
duced to defeat such a bill, or
rather clause in the BILL and insert sugar,
thereby protecting themselves at the
expense Of the sugar planters and rein
ers.
THE NATIONAL OPERA COMPANY.
Washington has this week been treated
to rich display of musical talent, equal
if not superior to anything of the kind
that has ever been presented to her peo-
pie.
The National Opera Company, COM
posed of the best musical talent in this
country, has been at the National The
r
been something remarkable. Congress
men, Senators, diplomats and citizens
of high and low degree, have been
charmed by the sweet melodies and
superb acting of this charming COM
pany.
The near approach of Lent has prob
ably given rise to the rush at the
theaters, for every one has been crowded
during the week.
Robert Mantell, favorite here, was
warmly greeted, and his great powers
are allowed wide and effective scope
In his five-act drama .'Monbars.' The
same audiences of leaders of society
have witnessed this play this week, and
asthere are but two week days remaining
before the season of fasting and prayer
is ushered in, it is probable that every
advantage win he taken of them by all.
Y