The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-03-09
WASHINGTON LETTER
From our Regular Correspondence

After many months of hard labor
Mr.. Mills and his Democratic col
leagues of the House Committee or
Ways and Means have perfected tar
if bill, which is now before the whole
committee. 1t will be reported to the
House at the earliest practical moment
which means when the republican
members of the committee have ex
hausted all the methods of delay to
which parliamentary usage entitle.
them.
The bill does not entirely satisfy
every democrat--no bill would. 1t il
not an ideal revenue reform bill, mol
such measure as the gentlemen who
framed it would have presented had
they been clothed with plenary legisla
tive authority. Practical statesman.
ship recognizes the limitations imposed
by conflicting views and opposing in.
terests. Still it is bill that is likely
to be supported by every member OF
the party, as the most expedient tha,
can be bad at present. It puts wool,
lumber and salt on the free list and
materially reduces the duty on sugar,
aud it is estimated that it will reduce
the revenue of the Government to the
extent of $50, 100000.
Candor compels me to say that al
this time there is much doubt as to
whether the bill will pass the House,
owing to the willingness of certain
members to sacrifice the interests oi
the country at large as we'll as the
democratic party because the bill would
if it became law, injure some petty
industry in their own districts.
Shouldn't there be some way oil
whipping these men into the party
traces or else out of the party altogeth.
er? The democratic party is pledged
to Revenue reform, on that issue il
won the last Presidential election and
hopes to win the next; though
how it will do il if the House of Rep.
resentatives, with a democratic major.
ity, shall refuse to pass q tariff bill
looking towards reform, is more than
the most clearhf AIDED politician can
see Just now. However, there is time
enough for the people to be heard from
on this subject, and what is demanded
by the people is seldom refused BY
Congress. Let the democratic press
bring the greatest power of modern
times public oplnion-to bear on this
question.
The new tariff bill is approved BY
the President and the Secretary of the
Tieasury-and | nigh. also add by q
majority of democrats.
From this time on the House will
hold evening sessions on Friday fol-
the consideration of private pension.
and 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 question o.
prohibition, high license, or no chang.
in the liquor law, to a direct vote o.
the citizens of the District. In othel
words they are iu favor of local option
for the District.
The bill authorizing the issue o
paper fractional currency in denomina
tions of 10, Is and 25 cents is likely t,
become law. The House commitfe,
on Banking have ordered a favorabl,
report thereon.
Next Thursday the House committe,
on Manufactures will begin taking tes
timony in its investigation of tn,
various 'trusts." Some interesting de
yelopments are expected
The House committee on pensions
has made favorable report on tn,
bill relating to claims for pensions b,
dependent parents. 1t will only b,
necessary to show that the soldier wa
entitled to a pension, and that he lef
no widow or minor children, and tha
the parent or parents are dependent
The committee has also made fav.r
able report on the bill authorizing tn
payment of the pensions of babitually
intoxicated persona to their wives o
to guardians.
The joint resolution changing tn
time for the commencement of tn
Presidential term to April 80, an,
changing the date tor the annual meet
ing of Congress to Jan. LIST. has bee
favorably report to the House.
Mr.. Edward Cooper. ex-payor O
New York city, and brother.in-lsw o
Mayor Hewitt, who has been accuse,
OF intriguing against Mr.. Cleveland
nomination was in this city for severa
days last week, and most emphaticall
denied the accusation and al the sam
time said that he vas for Clevelan,
first, last, and all the time. While her
he spent much time in consultation
with the President aud Col Lamont
The Government Printing Office il
,estigation is still slowly dragginI
along. Mr.. Benedict was on the stan,
Saturday, ard the republicans put hin
through a rigid cross examination, bu
failed to make point against him,