The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-03-23
WASHINGTON LETTER
our Regular Correspondence


WAsHrNGToN. D. c.. March 10, 1883
The President passed his fifiy-6rst
birthday yesterday, in quiet way.
He is picture of perfect health in
spite of the cares and responsibilities
which he has borne for the past three
years. Instead of looking older he
really looks yourger than he did when
he first entered the White House as
Chief Magistrate. His young wife
gets the credit for much of bis health
and good looks, of course, but Mr.
Cleyeland is blessed with an exception.
ally good constitution, which he has
preserved and kept in good condition
by not worrying about worries. During
business hours he gives concentrated
attention to the matter before him, but
he never carries thought of it outside
of his Office.
Mr.. Cieveland's popularity with the
masses is largely due to the unpreten-
tious way in which he lives and trans
acts business. He is what is known as
a PLAIN old-fashioned man. He received
many wishes for happy returns yester-
day, and from present indications
he is likely to receive many more at
the same address for at least four
years longer.
If slang may ever be permissible,
one might be excused for calling the
speeches which have been made by The
republicans in the Senate in favor of q
high protective tariff, during the past
week, "chestnuts", for there was not a
single new idea or argument in any of
them. They are likely 20 be kept up
however, until every republican Sen
ator has put himself on record as OPP
posed to revenue reform.
The House Pension Committee have
the Dependent Pension bill under con-
siderstion. II has been discussed sew
eral times, but no action has yet been
decided upon.
Senator Blackburn's desk in the Sen.
ate Chamber Sas completely hidden
on Friday last by one of the hand
soonest floral pieces ever seen at the
Capitol. 1t was in the form and color
of the United States flag, and was sent
to the Kentucky Senator by the Han
cock Veteran Association of Philadel-
phia, in recognition of his $50 ably de-
Tending the memory of our dead be-
roes", (Gens. Nc cClellan and Hancock. }
Mr.. Blackburn was justly proud of the
offering.
On Friday Mr.. Mills, Chairman OF
the Ways and Means Committee, asked
for the unanimous consent OF the
House, to the sittings of his COMMITTEES
during the sessions of the House. HaG
his request been granted it would have
greatly facilitated the business of tha
committee and enabled it to report tb,
tariff bill that much sooner 1t was pro
baly for that very reason that Mr. Bur
rows, of Michigan, republican mem
Der OF that committee objected. Tn
republicans are resortiDg to ever,
known method of delaying the repor
Of this bill to the House, Tut the major
ity of the committee have decided T.
report it this week whether the rep
ublican members of the committee lik
it or not. To enable them to do hi
they will hold night sessions. The frs
was held on Saturday last and the il
ternal revenue portion of the bill wa
on that occasion adopted withou
amen imen' There will be man
schisms among the republican member
of the committee before all the pr
visions of the measure are disposed o
however.
A very silly republican rumor wi
start d last we, k TO the effect that Sc
ator Vest, of Missouri, was to reti
from public life. The democratic pa
ty is not willing To spare him Just ye
Mr.. Springer's bill to enable the te
Iitories Of Dakota, Montana, Washin
tor, and NV Mexico to adopt cons
tuiions preparatory to their admittan
into the Union as states, has been ia
orably reported, but owing to repub
can hostility stands little chance of |
comlrg a law at this session of Co
gress.
S~nator Colquilt, of Georgia, init
duyed in The Senate yesterday a bi
which at ills time when the questi
Of prohibition is engaging public
tention, rs of usual interest. II ID
local option bill, and provides for
terring the whole question of prol
bilion or no prohibition to direct yo
Of the people of the District Of e.
nnbia. Ser ater Colquiit, who has ia