The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1888-03-15
WASHINGTON NOTES.
An Interesting Letter from our Spe.
cial Correspondent.
WAsHINGTON, March 10, 1883.

WASHINGTON, March 10, 1883.
After many months OF hard labor
Mr.. Mills and his Democratic col.
leagues OF the House Committee on
Ways and Means have perfected q
tariff BILL which is now before the
whole committee. 1t will be reported
to the House at the earliest practical
moment, which means when the Re.
publican members of the committee
have exhausted ali the methods Of de-
lay to which parliamentary usage en-
titles them.
The bill does not entirely satisfy
every Demoerat--nn bill would. II ia
not an ideal revenue reform bill, nor
such measure as the gentlemen whe
framed it would have presented had
they been clothed viii plenary legisla.
tive authority. Practical statesman.
ship recognizes the limitations i'm.
posed by conflicting views and oppos.
ing interests. Still, ii is a bill that is
likely to be supported by every mem
ber Of the party as the most expedi-
ent that can Se had at present. Itputs
wool, lumber and salt on the ee list
and materially reduces the duty on
sugar, and it is estimated that il will
reduce the revenue Of the Govern.
ment to the extent of $5O,OOOO00.
Candor compels me to say that AT
this time there is much doubt M Ia
whethor the bill will pass the House
owing to the willingness of certain
members to sacrifice the interests oi
the country at large as well as the
Democratic psrty, because the bill
would, II it became law, injure some
petty industry in their own districts
Shouldn't there be some way o
whipping these men into the party
traces or else out of the party alto
gether? The Democratic party il
pledged TO revenue reform on tha
issue it won the last presidential cleo
ton and hopes to win the next
though how IL will do it il the House
Of Representatives, with Democratic
majority, shall refuse TO pass tariff
bill looking towards reform, is more
than the most clear-headed politician
can see just now. However, there i,
time enough for the people to b.
heard from on the subject, and wha,
is demanded by the people is seldom
refused by Congress-. Let the Demo
cratic press bring the greatest power
Of modern times-public opinion--t,
bear on this question.
| From this on the House will hold
evening sessions on Friday for tht
consideration Of private pension anC
political disability bills.
The Senate committee having il
charge the District OF Columbia de
cided against the Platt prohibition
bill and is disposed to refer the ques
tion Of prohibition, high license O.
no change in the liquor law to di
rect vote Of the citizens Of the dis
trict. In other words they are il
favor Of local option for the District
The House Committee on Pension
has made favorable report on tn
bill relating to claims for pensions b.
dependent parents. II will only b
necessary to show That the soldie
was entitled to pension, and that h
left no widow or minor children. an,
that the parents are dependent. TIL
,, committee has also made favorabl
report on the bill authorizing the pay
ment OF pensions of habitually intoI
icated persons TO their wives or guard
ians.
Nr Edward Cooper, ex.mayor {
New York city, and brother in-law {
Mayor Hewitt, who has been accuse
= II intriguing against Mr.. Cleveland
4 denomination, was in the city for sev
eral days last week, and most empha
ically denied the accusation and /
the same time said that he was Il
Cleveland first, last and all tim
While here, he spent much time
consultation with the President an