The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1888-08-09
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, August 3, 1888.

EuIIOI aeTaiQ:
Senator Plumb from the committee on
agriculture. has reported favorably to
the senate the house bill making the de-
partment of agriculture an executive de-
partment, under the control of secretary
OF agriculture. The clause transferring
the weather bureau to the new depart
ment, has been stricken out. There is
no doubt of the passage of this bill, in
fact there is no opposition to speak of.
Quite a number of congressman will 60
over to New York to take part in the
great demonstration given as welcome
to James 6. Blaine on his return to his
native land. 1t promises to be the big
gest thing of the kind ever seen in this
country, and so it should he, Mr.. Blaine
is worthy of it.
Senator Call has "let the cat out of the
bag" He recently offered resolution
calling upon the treasury department
for information in regard to property
once owned by the rebel government. In
reply to that inquiry, a treasury agent
submitted long inventory of ships, ma
chinery, money, etc., now in existence in
the hands of foreign governments and
private parties, amounting in value to
many millions, and expressing the opin-
ion that much of this property might be
recovered by the United States. Every
body wondered what was meant by this
business, until this week Senator Call Of
fered an amendment to the sundry civil
appropriation bill, appropriating $1O,-
600 to be used in locating property be-
longing to the rebel government. All
this trouble had been taken to send a
friend off on a junketing tour, at Uncle
Sans expense. But it was failure, for
the senate refused to adopt the amend
ment.
The senate committee is still hearing
parties interested in the proposed tariff
bill. They do not propose do to anything
without fully hearing every side of the
effect it is likely to have.
Senator Frye, of the select senate COM
mittee on the Pacific railroads, has re-
ported, with some minor amendments,
the Cultivate bill providing for settle
ment of the claims of the Government
against the Union Pacific railroads. The
report accompanying the bill says: I'm
the judgment of yonr committee it Sc
cures very satisfactory settlement of
the debt due from the Union Pacific and
Central Branch Union Pacific companies,
and the committee have every assurance
that both corporations will accept its
terms.
Senator Hoar's resolution, for the ap-
pointment of a committee of seven sena-
tors, to investigate the commercial rela-
tions between the United States and Can
ada, has been passed.
The direct tax bill, which was offered
in the senate as an amendment to the
Sundry Civil appropriation bill, was
ruled out on a point of order, as general
legislation.
No fears are entertained by the demo-
Gratis that Cleveland will veto the river
and harbor bill. Of course not. The
Mills bill would have been defeated in
the house had not Cleveland promised to
sign the river and harbor bill. This
pledge was G iven months ago.
The republican congressional commit
tee are beginning the active work of the
campaign. Mr.. Golf, the chairman, and
Nj. MCPHERSON, secretary are both
confident of a republican majority in the
house this year.
Representative Foran of Ohio, a demo-
GRAFT, says he calculates that the next
house will be republican by at least ff-
teen majority.
Much intererest is expressed herein the
Indiana stale campaign. Representative
Browne says the retirement of Ex-Gov-
ernor Porter renders it well nigh impos-
sible to say who the candidate will be.
Representative Mckinley is to speak
before the Chatauqua society of Atlanta,
Ca, after all. Senator Brown, who al
though democrat is a strong protec-
ZIONIST, urged as personal favor the &C
ceptance of the invitation which he car
ried to Mr.. Mckinley. The date has not
yet been fixed for the speech.
VERY little can be said yet as to the
congressional canvas in this district from
the fact there seems to be no serious OPP
position to Mr.. Comstock from any
quarter and there will not be. The demo-
Gratis will, in due time, nominate a man
to be voted for, but without the remotest
idea of electing him. Mr.. Comstock's
majority will reach high-water mark.
The contents of Harper for August are
unsurpassed by those of any previous
issue. In solid and light reading; in
poetry and prose; in letter-press and il
Illustrations, the best is provided. One of
E. A. Abbey's charming illuttrations for
"The Leather Bottel" serves as a frontis-
piece, full of delicacy, feeling and life.
The initial article is a continuation of
Lafcadio Hearn's description of hi" Mid
summer Trip to the West Indies" Ten
splendid Illustrations add to the effect of
the article.
There is just amount of fiction in the
number-viz., the continuation of Mr..
Blacks "In Far Lochaber;" of "Annie
Kilburn," Mr.. w. D. Howell's charming