Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-02-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
[Fron our regular eorrsspondsat.l
WASHINGTON. Jan. 20. 1898


WASHINGTON, 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 as
sociates In the House and to the party
generally. Those Republicans who
constitute the minority of the commit
tee, will not be consulted in regard to
the measure until the work Is complete
and ready for final action. The ma
jority are well satisfied with the pro-
gress they have made, and feel sanguine
of the ultimate success Of their labors,
though that most desirable result can
not be reached without liberal eonces-
sions to conflicting opinions. 1t is pro-
posed to have a general revision and
readjustment Of the tariff, and the
salient features of the bill will be
similar to that presented on a former
occasion by Mr.. Hewitt. The new bill
will make 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 il is probable
that it will be brought to the COLI
sideration of the 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.
Mr.. Randall threw himself in the
breach the other day, and by resorting
to dilatory tactics, prevented the ap-
pointment of day for the introduction
of bills for the erection of Government
buildings. This was patriotic service
on the part of the distinguished Penn
sylvania statesman, as there appears to
be general sentiment throughout the
country to secure such appropriations.
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 be pretty general
sentiment in the House in favor in
authorizing the issue of about twenty
million dollars in fractional currency.
There seems to be shortage of small
bills, as the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing is pushing work on the So and
SIS silver certificates, as the present
ply, but it is believed that in few days
the stock will be sufficiently large.
The Civil Service Commissioners
have been dated to appear before
House committee and to express their
views on several bills that are now
under consideration. Some charges
are likely, for it is an open secret that
the committee on civil service, more
particularly the chairman, are opposed
to the present law.
One Republican member, Repre-
sentative White, of Indiana, is to be
unseated upon the motion of his COM
petitOr, EX-CoDgressman Lowry
Although it is beyond question that
White received clear majority of the
votes cast, he will be expelled, because
it is shown that he has not been legally
being native of Scotland.
Mr.. Lowry does not secure the seat, as
it is the decision of the committee on
hence a vacancy will be declared to
exist.
The next contest to be acted upon is
that of Worthington, Democrat,
against Post, Republican, of Illinois.
The election was very close-Only
twenty nine majority being claimed
and it is probable that another Repub-
lican will be unseated, as the Democrat
claims that he has rightrul majority
Of ten votes.
The Senate Committee on pensions
have unanimously approved Senator
"Grand Army" bill,
which has been so framed as to over
come the objections urged by President
Cleveland in his disapproval of the de-
pendent pension bill.
The bill granting Mrs. Logan $1,000
pension, excited quite a discussion
among the Senators, but it passed by q
large majority, as did another bill
increasing to the same amount the
pension of Mrs. Frank P. Blair.