The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-03-08
Correspondence FLoMDrAE-l
Letter from WashiREf0n.
WASHINGTON, D. c., March

WASHINGTON, II. e., March D. 1853
Editors Floridian The bill incorporating the
Nicaragua Canal Company passed the Senate by
a vote Of SO TO IS. Several amendments were
proposed by Senator Vest but rejected. The
voters 10 the negative " ere all Democrats except
Riddleberger.
Mr.. Grain has amended his bill 80 as TO change
Inauguration Day to April Both.
The Dependent Pension Bill has produced
very animated and prolonged debate in the Sen.
ate The desire of the committee who reported
1t was to pass 1t without amendment 80 as to
prevent a Veto but the warlike Senator who
were not In the army and whose patriotism a-
ways bubbles over at the mention OF the G. A
R., came to the front with speeches in praise of
the boys in blue" who preserved the Union.
The majority OF the Republican Senators no
doubt desire the Presdcn, to veto the bill so as
to make political capital and to concentrate the
Republican vote outside of the army for this, as
they say, injustice TO the soldiers. Their object
is to diver, the attention of the people from the
great question, the tariff, that divides the two
parties and once more to wave the sanguineous
muslin undergarment worn By the male sex.
Senator Vest criticised the speeches made by
Republican Senators as bids for the soldiers
vote, and said in conclusion, partisan or
non-partisan my connections require me TO vote
against the bill, and say here now, that hope
It may die the death in the other branch Of the
National Congress, and If not there at the hands
Of the Executive If that be supplementary
make the most Of it," The debate on the bill
will be continued to day.
The bill authorizing the Secretary Of the Treas
ury TO use the surplus fund in the redemption of
U. s. bonds has passed the House without d-
vision, although 1t created considerable debate
on the tariff which Is always brought in wher-
ever the financial policy Of the government is
discussed. The debate was participated in by
those who are considered among the ablest men,
bers on both sides of the Chamber. Messrs
Breckenridge and Randall were the speakers on
the democratic side, and the latter said in con
Guiding his remarks he did not wish TO traverse
the remarks of his friend from Kentucky when
he spoke OF the past except to say that he had no
regrets he was more reconciled in that con-
nection when he heard the gen teman, prompted
by . more liberal spirit than had ever heretofore
been exhibited, that there was hope land he
declared that there would be fruition To that
hope If justice was had) of united party on the
Democratic side. His speech was received with
great applause.
The colored people Of the city celebrated Fred
Douglass SEVENTEEN birth day by banquet given
TO him. Letters of regret were sent by m.ny
prominent Republican Senators and others for
not being able to attend, and yet not one OF
them would invite him and his white wife to
dine In their own house. Such arrant hypocrisy
detest.
In the debate on war claims In the House Gen.
W. q. F. Lee introduced an amendment to bill
appropriating $4,000 to pay the Protestant
Episcopal theological Seminary. near Alexau-
dra, for use Of building rs hospital during the
war by the United States. The debate WAS ex-
citing, the Democratic members gathered around
the General Is be replied to the adverse points
made BY Republicans, and when Mr.. Burrows
aaked him what side the ministers prayed for
he replied for all sinnera The amendment was
agreed TO, about twenty Republicans voting for
It. General Lee. a. he was quite slender during
the war, is now the largest man In the House,
larger than his illustrious father. Robert E. Lee.
The Tariff bill has been reported by the COM
0iuee Aud VIII Oe Drought 0ctorc the h )use in
few days; 1t will reduce the revenue about
1900 and 1t 10 thought will be passed,
even II Mr.. Randall and his followers do not sup
port II.
Senator Gall introduced q resolution instruct
ing the COMMITTEES on public lands to report a
bill declaring al patents on public lands
issued by the Secretary OF the Interior
without authority Of law to be abso
luteiy void, and requiring the Attorney.
General TO bring suits 70 vacate and
set sside the same. He spoke At some length in
advocacy Of the resolution, and was replied to
By Mr. Plumb. bat no vote wss taken, and at
O'clock the regular order Of business came up.
The liquor question b the one that IL now agi-
tAting the minds Of the people Of the D. O. The
Senate COMMITTEES ere divided in opinion; some
OF them are fer high license, some for local 90
ton, and strange TO say Riddlebergsr stands
alone for prohibition.
There ID gentleman here from Chicago who