The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-01-12
Washfn gtOn Letter.

w GSSA tOh kSGOCIs
WASHINGTON, ID. G., Jan. 6, 1888.
The two most important events of
the week are the assem- bling of Con-
gress and the resumption of work by +
the special international parliament I
the Fisheries Commission. The House .
of Representatives heard only yester- !
day the announcement of the arrange
ment of its Committees, but the Sen
ate is already in the midst of battle. /
The first matter of consequence pre-.
sented in the Senate after the holiday
recess was the resolution in reference
to the distribution of the Presidents
message. This was made the pretext
for Mr.. Sherman, in his feverish haste
end anxiety TO get even with Mr..
Blaine in making an open bid for the
r publican Presidential nomination,
+ t. launch q harangue. something af-
ter the manner of stump speech, in
which he sharply takes President
Cleveland and the democracy to task
Oh the tariff question. But the con.
suming aspirations of the Ohio SEN
ator have led him to adopt a course of
conduct wholly acceptable to the dem
ocracy, as is shown by the masterly
rejoinder of Senator Voorhees,. who
was only too glad to avail himself of
this occasion to emphasize The views
of the President and the policy of the
PARTY.
The tariff debate, thus bravely open
ed, may continue for some time in the
Upper House, as several of the sen
ators have announced their intention
to discuss that issue in all its bearings
Still it is possible that the tariff debate
may be interfered with at any moment
by the Blair Educational bill, which
bas precedence of all other matters on
account of its being the only "unfin-
ished business" The New Hamp
shire Senator declares it to be his pur.
pose to push his bill from day to day
until the question is disposed Of He
expresses himself as being confident
! that his cherished measure will pass
! both houses and he believes the Presi.
= dent will approve it. As to the latter
| opinion, a prominent Congressman
remarked, Mr.. Blair's hopes for his
bill is without foundation. In all O.
j Mr.. Cleveland's career, he has never
either by word or deed, committed
= himself to any scheme of paterual leg
;. islation like the Blair bill. He sale
|. further that ne knew that bis Demo
cratic brethren were divided upon thi
g question, many of the leading men 9
the party being on the affirmative
r side. But he thought it would b.
d better TO act on the NapoIeonic militia
, ry maxim of finding out what ou
d enemies wish US to do and then pursu
v a contrary course. He thought Presi
dent Cleyeland would be likely (
regard it in that light.
Of important proposed legislation i
, the House it may be well to mentio
~ Mr.. Springei's bill TO create the Tel
ritory of Oklahoma by consolidatin
=, tribes in the Indian Territory unde
that form of government. 1t is endel
:. stood ,hat another bill on the sam
= subject but Of an entirely dittsreI
~ character. will be introduced Th
latter scheme proposes to remove tn
Indians to the eastern part of th
Id Territory and To form a new Territor
he out of the western portion, addin
Il thereto The region of country know
re as = 81 o aianis Land" which woul
Ii MAKE Territory nearly as large as II
u State of Ohio. 1t is said this pla
Ill will be strengthened by the support
lr the administration.
Id There is probability that Washin,
re ton, Montana and Dakota Terr tori
ne will be- admitted as States this We;
upon the condition that they shall NJ
vote for President until the election
he 1892.
or Representative Grain, of Texas,
Id preparing to eubmit his constitution
it amendment to change the time
al meeting of Congress The s1st
tn December. at noon, is substituted
ed the 4th of March IS the time for ii
m beginning and termination of the q
is fetal terms of members of the Hous
IT, Congress shall meet at least once eaC
he year on the first Monday in Jahuar
in unless otherwise ordered by that Doc
lis Should the bill pass both Houses,
10 must be ratified, of course, by tw
'e thirds of the State Legislatures befO
mt it can become law of the land.
One of the most ludicrous scenes v
witnessed in the House was when N
of Boutelle, of Maine, who has ms,
of some little reputation as section
Id agitator, called up the Rebel Flag i
e quiry. Instantly there were doz;
Eli objections, but Mr.. Campbell, of Ne
w York, merely assumed a picturesqr
II. attitude and exclaimed "Ugh!" at Il
20 same moment bringing his fist dow
,y upon his desk with such vigorous e
#. ergy as to be recognized by the pr
IN siding officsr as entitled to the foe
on The little man from Maine persists
of playing the Innocent Abroad for Il
,Is House of Representatives. He seldo
If. rises to his feet without making hir
W self ridiculous.
IL SHALERSVILLE.