Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-03-23
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, March 10th, 1885,
Thanks to the republican obstruC
tionists, Mr.. Mills tariff bill has nc
been reported to the House. Tn
time is being well put in however
by the friends of the measure in mis-
sionary work among the few mis-
guided democratic members, whC
worship still at the shrine of protec
ton. II is now claimed that th'
number of democrats pledged to sup
port the bill when il gets before the
House, is only five short of major
ity. and it is hoped that enough re-
publicans will vote for il to insure its
passage.
But not much faith can be attached
to that hope. Republicans seldom
vote for measure that Is opposed
by their leaders, no matter what
their own opinions may be-a politi-
cal lesson which the democrats have
never yet learned. How il may re.
suit the democrats who believe IN
keeping the pledges made to the peo-
pie, propose making the honest effort
TO redeem those pledges. If they fail
the cause of their failure will be ap-
parent to all.
The latest apPllicqa4aatte fp Or S Maine, (,
nc has been appointed Chairman of
the Senate Committee to Investigate
the alleged violations of the civil SER
viee-iaw by the democrats. This is
expected to give him boom. Ii is
more likely to develop into BOOM
erang.
A rumor was current here this week
that Senator Vest, of Missouri, pro-
posed retiring from public life at the
end of his present term. The Sena-
tor brands the report as falsehood
and states that he believes it origina-
ted with the republicans, who would
doubtless be very glad to see him re-
tire.
Senator Voorhees,, who isvery fond
of a joke, has lots of fun with the re-
publican Senators who are known as
candidates for the Presidency. One
day this week he had a colored car
toon entitled "just drawing them on"
which he was showing around the
Senate Chamber. 1t represented a
fox lying on the ground, the head
being that of Blaine. One eye was
closed but the other was partly open
and wore a very wide-awake express
sion. A flock of geese, each one
wearing the head of republican
Presidential candidate, Sherman in
front, was represented as approach
the recumDent fox. The geese in
cluded lloar, Evarts, Ingalls,, lIiscock,
Depew and several other would be
candidates Every body took the
joke good naturally, even the gentle
men who were caricatured.
Acting Secretary Thompson, of the
Treasury Department, one of the best
and most competent officials ever APP
pointed by Mr.. Cleveland, has written
letter TO the Secretary of State, in
reply to communication from Hon
Ira Davenport in regard 10 an al
legged lack of reciprocity between the
United States and Canada in the i'm
portation of nursery products, such as
plants, shrubs etc, in which he says
that the matter is governed entirely
by the laws of the respective coun-
tries, our laws admitting those arti-
cles free, while the Canadian tariff
requires a duty of twenty per cent
uu UutOfCm VII huCl dlblClCs IHthV
being the facts he does not see how
the Treasury Department can take
any action to rectify the injustice
complained OF by Mr.. Davenport.
Senator Colquits speech made ear
ly this week was strongly in favor Of
revenue reform as outlined in the
Presidents message. He said it is
time now for the distinct assertion of
democratic principles, the hearty
maintenance of them and the redemp-
ton of democratic pledges. The reign
of the opposing principles had been
long enough, and had already gone
far towards converting the country
into plutocracy. The high tariff
policy had always been that of the
Tory party in politics the friend of
class legislation and principle.
Secretary Fairchild, in answer to
request for his opinion on Senator
Sherman's bill for the investment Of
the funds for the redemption of ma
tional bank notes, has written long
letter on the subject to the Senate H.
nance committee. In disappearing
of the measure he points out the
bad results that would probably fol- |
low its adoption. lie says the alter
nate expansion and contraction re-
sulting from this bill, would in my |
Judgment only promote speculation
not healthful business. The Secre-
tary hits the nail squarey on the
head. Any financial measure pro-
posed by John Sherman is sure to be
IN the interest of his friends, the Wall
street spectators.
Washington is 10 have two notable
gatherings of women soon. On the
18th inst. the Woman's international
Council will begin an eight day ses-
sion commemorative of the fortieth
anniversary Of the woman suffrage
movement. On this distinguished
women from foreign countries will
he in attendance. Then, on April Sd,
the annual Women Suffrage Conven-
ton will be held.