Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-10-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Longest session of Congress Ever
Held Brought to "A Close Every
body Going Home to Vote.

8pouy GOtng Home to Vote.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON. Oct. 22.-Speaker Car
ave-, as he dropped the gavel which de-
clared the house adjourned sine die, wore
a smile Of triumph that spoke louder than
words 10 his democratic colleagues; il
told them of the victory which the house
had won over the senate, in compelling
the latter body to take the initatory in
passing resolution for adjournment af>
ter its republican members had repeated
ly stated that unless the house started IT.
there would be no adjournment at all.
IL has been loGg session-tho longest
w eighteen days in our history-but the
democrats have right TO feel proud of
the work they have accomplished in the
house, The Mills tariff bill of itself is
well worth all the time that this long ses-
sion has consumed. Members of the sen
ate, particularly of its majority cannot
ieel pride in he work accomplished by
that body; it produced an alleged substi-
tute Tor the Mills bill. which it did not
dare to- Ssss snhough the opportunity
was an bs.L d them on the day it was first
% Md by the democratic senators, who
proposed that the debate should be limit
ed to ten days The republicans refused
to allow the debate to be limited. Whv?
Because they did not wish the monstrosi,
ty they had reported to pass; it WAS like
the tin torch and painted transparency.
only gotten up for campaign purposes.
The quietness with which the adjourn,
ment was accomplished was unusual.
There was not score of members in
either house when the gavel fell, and the
only notable occurrence was the singing
of the doxology in the press gallery of the
house, by the tired newspaper men, i'm
mediately after Speaker Carlisle an
nounced the adjournment This action
was not intended to be irreverent, but
was rather in the nature of a spontane-
fooSs rendering of sincere thanks for
much needed rest after eleven months of
continuous work
Senator Blackburn, Just before the
senate adjourned, presented the minority
report of the committee appointed to in
vestigate the alleged violations of the
civil service law. The report declares
that an effort had persistently been made
by the majority against the protest of the
minority, to limit the inquiry to the time
covered by the present administration,
and that all efforts to bring out the facts
as to the operations of the law under
previous republican administrations,
were invariably denied by strict party
vote. Despite the efforts of the majority.
1t was clearly shown By the testimony of
several ef their witnesses, that all the
evils and abuses complained of today.
came down TO this administration as an
inheritance. The levying of assessments
upon government officials for partisan
purposes, was in general, if not universal,
practice prior to March, 1885, and dis
elimination in the matter of appoint
ments because Of political views was by
no means novel feature, nor one which
has been introduced by the present ad
ministration. The report devotes more
than fifty pages to careful analysis Of
the testimony taken. which shows the
majority Of the committee up IN a man
ner that will not add to their reputation
as statesmen
The last bill introduced 10 congress
was one providing for constitutional
amendment, requiring United States sem
ators to be elected by direct vote of the
people.
Mr.. Cleveland has consented to 90 to
New York city and review the mammoth
business mems Cleveland, Thurman and
Hill parade next Saturday evening. This
action should put a quietus upon all the
absurd rumors us to the president not
being in sympathy with the reelection of
Gov. Hill. They are both democrats, and
good ones tco. And they will both be
elected.
The sixty Sioux chiefs who have been
here. have rejected every proposition
made to them by the government They
insist on being paid 81 25 an acre for all
their land. which Secretary Villas thinks
is preposterous. The Indians have started
back to their reservation.
Speaker Carlisle is booked for one
speech in Ohio and half dozen In Iu-
disna.
Unusual efforts are being made here to
aend every democratic voter in the doubt
fui states, who is temporarily residing in
Washington, home TO vote. Those who
cannot afford to purchase railroad
tickets are furnished free transportation
The annual report Of the general SUI
perintendent Of the railway mail service.
shows that the service is in operation
upon lab, 7l3 miles of railroad, and 3 972
miles of inland steamboat routes The
total number of clerks in the service is
1904.
An analysis of the senate tariff bill Just
completed, shows that if enacted into a
law, it would reduce the revenues of the
government on the dutiable list less than
S15 900 900