Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-03-13
How Randan'S Tariff Bill is Re.
earded.
What Parts the Republicans Nay Siren.
uouSly Object To.
Bancroft's Regard for the Dead German
Emperor
WASHINGTON, March II
General Congressional News.

rily devoted TO the first session of Congress
are rapidly passing, and that the regular leg
islative work of the session is yet practically
to begin. 1t is always difficult in Presi
dental year to keep Congress in session mucl
after the close of the nominating conventions
of the two parties. The congressman whose
campaign for reelection will necessarily be
gin early, because the presidential ticket.
will be placed early in the field, will be yer,
unwilling to remain in Washington after th,
summer heats are far advanced, when they
wish to be in their own districts looking af
ter their own fences.
Another important fact is to be taken int
consideration in connection with the discus
sion of the tariff. Whatever virtue or de-
fects Mr.. Randalls Internal Revenue bill
may have, Mr.. Randall has been given by
his party a position which in the closing
days of the Congress is one of commanding
influence. As Chairman of the Committee
on Appropriations he has more power over
the House than the Speaker himself so far
as concerns the determination of the course
of legislation. Congress will not adjourn
until the Appropriation bill shall have been
passed, and the Chairman of the Committee
on Appropriations can determine when those
bills shall be passed. Mr. Randalrs tactics
in this respect in the last two or three Con-
crosses are remembered. The appropriation
bills have been held back, or at least have
not been submitted to the House and passed
until the very last days of the session. 1t is
now nearly two weeks later than the close
of short session of Congress, when all the
appropriation bills and all the work of the
session has ended and the Congress itself
has adjourned, yet only one of the minor
regular appropriation bills has become a law
| in this Congress, and the two houses have
yet been only permitted to consider a curious
series of deficiency bills.
As to MI. .Randalrs Tariff bill il can be stat
ed that if he relies upon republican support
his measure ., one very radical defect. II
the tariff is to be touched at all the great
majority of the republicans believe that the
main reduction should be upon sugar. Mr..
Randall does not wish to cut sugar. He eY-
poets to secure a solid vote of the Louisiana
democrats, and could not rely upon their
support unless he should omit sugar from his
schedule of reductions. Mr.. Randall cannot
depend on republican allies to support a bill
which omts sugar. Many republicans would
vote with him on some of the features of
his internal revenue reduction plans, but
many are not prepared to vote for so large
reduction of internal revenue
tax. 1t may be doubted whether the Repub-
licans would unite on any more sweeping re-
vision of internal revenue than of the tax
upon tobacco While many republicans
may favor a reduction of the tax upon alco-
hOl used in the arts, the investig ,tion which
was made last year, based on the testimony
of experts, showed that the amount of alco-
hol SO used is small, that the reduction. if
made, might not benefit the consumer, while
it would open door to fraud which could
with difficulty be closed Messrs. Mckinley
and Reed of the Ways and Means Committee
of the last Congress, after carefully consid-
ering the subject, did not then approve of
Mr.. Randalls plan, and Mr.. Hiscock, who
had a general internal revenue reduction
scheme in that Congress, could not obtain
any considerable republican following for
his proposition.
Representative Wilkinson of Louisiana
who went to New Orleans to answer what the
views of what the views of the sugar planters
are on the Mills BILL has returned. He re-
ports that they are all opposed to the bill
They say that Mills, instead of making the
heaviest reductions of the highest grade to
knock down the sugar trust, has made the
heaviest cut on the lowest grades, which
come directly into competition with Louisiana
sugars. The Louisiana men will oppose the
bill.
In the parlor of Mr. George Bancrofts
Washington residence hangs large portrait
in oil af the Emperor of Germany, 1t was
painted in 1874, and was presented by the
Kaiser to Mr.. Bancroft as the latter was
terminating his mission as the diplomatic
representative of this country to Germany.
This unusual expression of regard from a
To- Al. 4.
of the friendship which hade existed between
the Emperor and Mr.. Bancroft. and which
has existed unabated down to the day of the
formers death. The painting represents the
Emperor in the full uniform of the comman-
der of the regiment which had been placed
under him by his father. In gilt raised let
ters upon the frame is an inscription in Ger
man which the Emperor wrote himself. The
translation is as follows William the First,
King of Prussia, Emperor of Germany, to
George Bancroft, the friend Of Germany
during the years ls67-1874."
| Resting on top of the cabinet beneath the
picture is a cup and saucer, the former bear
| ing in colors on the outside the coat of arms
of Prince Bismarck. 1t was presented to
Mr.. Bancroft by the great prime minister.
| Hanging on the wall to the right is small
painting of Frederick the Great, which was
presented to Mr.. Bancroft by the Empress.
With these tokens of regard and the pleas.
ant memories of the years spent in Germany
the venerable historian spoke of the dead
Emperor in terms of more than usual
warmth. He was informed of the death by
the charge d'affaires, Baron Zedtwitz, who
called upon him for that purpose. Mr.. Ban
croft sincerely mourns the Emperor's death
as personal friend. As he sat by the wood
/ fire in his lib ary Sunday morning he spoke
of the deceased to a reporter.
| Mr.. Bancroft said that they were near the
same age, and he had sustained intimate re.
lations with the dead Emperor delightful
companion, he said, a warm friend, q mar
of positive convictions. and yet not self
willed. He discharged the important duties
which devolved upon him with great wisdom
and courage. In personal intercC urse, Mr.
Bancroft thought the Emperor was seen to
advantage. He had fund Of good humol
and was at times jovial Well informed on
subjects of general culture, he was enter.
tanning and instructive in conversation.
Mr.. Bancroft referred to the treaty which
he had successfully negotiated with Ger
many. II was formed to prevent the appli
cation of the law which compels all German,
to serve in the army to those who had emi.
grated to this country and might return To
their old homes on a visit. Such visitor,
were liable to be re-enlisted in the army
and thus preventing from returning to the
country of their adoption The German
people, Mr.. Bancroft said were opposed
to the treaty, but the Emperor listened to
the statement of facts, and becoming con-
vinced that the treaty was right. approved it.
| The Emperor Mr. Bancroft said, had kindly
feelings toward America and this was only
one act which he had cited as an evidence
of the kindly disposition and the broad
policy which characterized him as a mar
and a ruler
/
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