Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-12-13
WASHING TON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent,
WAsHtNGTos. Dec. eth, 1873

sell liuc piNPhSN ~ ~
Republican substitute for the Mills
tariff bill, the Senate having prompt
ly taken the measure up, and the de
feat of Senator Harris motion To
Law on the table makes it absolutely
certain that the bill will pass the
Senate substantially in its present
shape. Thus the Democratic pre-
dictions Of division in the Republi-
can ranks on the tariff have been
effectually disposed Of. The only
item in the measure that is not
wholly approved of by the Republi-
cans, is that removing the tax from
alcohol used in manufactures aud
the arts, aud that not opposed, but
some Republicans, among them Sen
ator Sherman, have doubts as to
whether the enforcement OF that
portion Of the bill will not have u
tendency to encourage fraud. But
this doubt will not cause them to
vote against that section on the bill
On tho contrary, they express them
selves anxious to see the experiment
tried, believing the result aimed at
to be a good one.
Contrary to general expectation,
the opening Of Congress found
about two.thirds of both Houses in
their seats. Mr.. Cleyeland's mes
sage, though an unusually long one,
made little impression on the mem
beers, owing largely to the bad tenn
per displayed in that portion OF 1t
relating TO the tariff, pension, and
other Congressional legislation. But
the Republican members, who are
feeling particularly good, found
little difficulty in excusing him for
the pettishness displayed. They
argued that a man who has just had
both himself and his pet hobby
repudiated by the people, could not
be expected to be in an angelic
frame of mind
Senator Vance made several in
eifectual attempts to amend the IN
ternal revenue section Of the Senate
tariff bin in the interest of his
"moonshiner" constituents, whom he
fears may be put in jail by the new
Federal officials, but the Republicans
promptly voted them down, not
being influenced 10y the fear Of the
"moonsbiners' votes.
A resolution has been offered in
the House making the postal teIe-
graph bill special order for Dec. a.
twas referred to the committee on
rules. but it is not thought that 1t
will be possible to get this bill up
until late in the session, if at all.
Mr.. Springer endeayored to get
unanimous consent Of the House on
Wednesday to call up the omnibus"
bin for the ADMISSION OF Dakota,
Montaua. Washington and New
Mexico. Mr. Grosvenor of Ohio,
objected. a. the same time stating
that the gentleman from Illinois had
shown no anxiety during the last
long session to bring this bill up,
Everything at the Capitol points
TO an extra session of the tifty-tirst
Congress. Representative Payson,
who was ono of the first members to
advocate an extra session, thinks
that the new Congress will meet in
April, that it will pass the present
Senate tariff bin (Which he does not
think Will get through the present
Housed chat it will admit South
Dakota, Montana aud Washington
territory, and pass an enabling act
for North Dakota, aad also that II
will rerfeet some general pension
legislation. Continuing, Mr. Pay
son said: II have no desire TO con-
ceal our motive for admitting the
territories ia the spring. We have
a very small majority in each House.
More especially in the Senate is it
dcsirb that this majority should
be increased 10 the flW-trst Com
gress. These three territories are
entitled 10 representation during the
new Congress. think We should
admit these territories during au
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