The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-02-03
WASHINGTON LETTER
From our Regular Correspondent
WAaHINaroN. d. O.. Ian. 30,

From our Regular Correspondent
WAsHINeroS. D. c.. Jan. 80, 1888.
The Democrats of the Ways and
Means Committee are giving them
selves earnestly to the arduous task of
framing a new tariff bill, which they
hope will prove acceptable to their
associates in the House and to the
party generally. Those Republicans
who constitute the minority of the com
mittee, will not be consulted in regard
to the measure until the work is COM
plete and ready for fnal action. TIL
majority are well satisfied with the
progress they have made, and | feel
sanguine of the ultimate success OF
their lsbors, though that most desirable
result cannot be reached without liberal
concsssions to conflicting opinions. 1t
is proposed to have a general revision
and readjustment of the tariff, aud the
salient features of the bill will be simi-
lar to that presented on former occa-
sion by Mr.. Hewitt. The new bill will
make Q reduction of 20 per cent. on
sugar and also large reductions in the
taxes on fruit, brandies and tobacco,
and will place salt, wool, lumber, and
other raw materials on the free list.
The bill is practically agreed upon now
and it Is probable that it will be
brought to the consideration of tn
House within the next three weeks
Then will begin the great battle for
tariff reform, which will be the key
note OF the Democratic Presidential
campaign.
MI. Randall threw himself in the
breach the other day, and by resorting
to dilssory tactics, prevented the ap
pointment of day for the introduction
Of bills for the erection of Government
buildings. This was a patriotic ser
vice on the part of the distinguished
Pennsylvania statesman, "a there ap-
pears to be genera, sentiment through
out the country to secure such appro
priations. If these raids upon the
treasury were not checked there would
soon be no surplus to puzzle the mighty
intellects of our national Legislators.
Responsive to the popular demand
there appears to he pretty general
sentiment IN the House IN favor of
authorizing the issue of about twenty
million dollars in fractional curr 'ncy.
There seems to be shortage of small
bills, as the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing is pushing work on the 50
and S5 silver certificates, as the presen
demand is greatly in excess of the sup
ply, but it is believed that in a few
days the stock will be sufficiently larg i.
The Civil Service Commissioner
have been cited to appear before a
House committee and to express thei
views on several bills that are now un
der consideration. Some changes ar.
likely, for it is an open secret that the
committee on civil service, more par
ticularly the chairman, are opposed to
the present law.
One Republican member, Represent
alive White, OF Indiana, Is TO be un-
seated upon the motion of his competi-
tor, Ex- Congressman Lowry. Although
it is beyond question that White receiv
ed clear majority OF the votes cast he
will be expelled, because it is shown
that he has not been legally natural
lied, being native of Scotland. Mr..
Lowry does not secure the seat, as IL
is the decision of the committee on
elections that there was no elsction,
hence vacancy will be declared to tx
ist.
The next contest to be acted upon i-
that of Worthington, Dem crat, against
Post Republican, of Illinois. TIL
election was very close-only twenty
nine majority being claimed--and it is
probable that another Republican will
be unseated, as the Democrat claim,
that he has rightful majority of ten
votes.
The Senate Committee on pension
have unanimously approved Senator
Manderson's "Grand Army" bill, whic'
has been 30 framed as to overcome the
objections urged by President Cleve
land in his disapproval of the depend.
ent pension bill.
The bill granting Mrs. Logan a
$4,000 pension, excited quite dis
cussion among the Senators, but it
passed by large majority, as did an
other bill increasing to the same
amount the pension Of Mrs. Frank p.