The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-12-13
Washington Letter.
WAsHINsroN, Dec. Z, 1888.

Senator Blackburn, owing to the
wide advertisement of his recent mis-
understanding with Judge Rucker, has
been the center of attraction to the Wis
iors in the Senate gallery this week.
He positively refuses to talk about the
matter, but his friends regard 1t as
ended-at least that is what they say
Senator Harris, by a motion to lay
the Senate tariff bill on the table,
brought out the fact that the republi-
can Senators will vote solidly in favor
OF that measure, notwithstanding the
fact that several of them are known to
be bitterly opposed to certain sections
of the bill. Several explanations are
gwen for this action by parties who
profess to know. One is that Harrison
mas stated that he wants the bill; passed
1T this session, and that thO~e IT publ
cans who are opposed to 1t are afraid
to vote against 1t. lest they there by
lose their share OF patronage under the
pew administration smother ia, that
they know the bill will not pass the
House and only vote for it to keep up
the appearance of harmony in the
republican ranks until after Harrison
is inaugurated, leaving the quarrel
that 10 believed by many people to be
inevitable over the tariff, until the next
session. when they will control both
House and Senate.
The Presidents message was an able
statement of the position of the demo.
cratic party on the tariff and other
matters CT importance; the ideas ex.
pressed there could not have been i'm
proved. Statements like the follow
ing from the message are ponderous
with statesnanlike wisdom: "He
mocks the people who proposes that
the government shall protect the rich, d,
and that they in turn will care for the
laboring poor. Any intermediary be.
tween the people and their govern.
,ment, or the least delegation of the
care and protection the Government
owes to the humblest citizen In the
land, makes the boast of free institu-
tions q glittering delusion and the pre-
tended boon of American citizenship q
shameless imposition - Extrava-
CANT appropriations of public money
with ali their demoral'zing conse-
quences, should not be tolerated, either
as means of relieving the Treasury
of its present surplus, or as furnishing
pretext for resisting a proper reduction
in tariff rates." 1t cannot be denied
that the selfish and private interests
which are so psrsistently heard when
efforts are made to deal in u just and
comprehensive manner with our tariff
laws. are related to, If they are not
largely responsible for, the sentiment
largely prevailing among the people,
that the general Government ie the
,knSy ~ Sp,d ixyfl m n oiA "A.
that 1t may be expected to relieve with
and communities, and that from the
the slightly possible pretext of pro-
funds to the benefit of localities and
individuals. Nor can it be denied that
there is q growing assumption that as
against the Government and in fav,
OF private claims and interests, the
usual rules and limitations of business
principles and just dealings should be
waived. These ideas have been much
encouraged by legislative acquiescence
Relief from contracts made with the
Government is too easily accorded in
favor of the citizen, the failure to suI-
port claims against the Government
by proof is often supplied with no bet.
ter consideration than the wealth tf
the Government and the poverty Of
the claimant; gratuities in the form Of
pensions are granted upon no other
real ground than the needy condition
of the applicant, or for reasons less
valid and large sums are expended
for public buildings and other i'm.
upon representations that
are scarcely claimed to be related to
public needs and necessities
The House yesterday by unanimous
took up the direct tax bill,
which caused the long deadlock Last
spring. 1t Is expected that it will be
passed, but hopes are exp; essed by its
opponents that Mr.. Cleveland will
veto it.
Mr.. Harrison's backbone is likely to
suffer q severe strain between now and
the fourth of March The republican
leaders here have determined upon
having an extra session of the Fifty
f1rst Congress called To meet late in
March or early in April. There is not
the slightest necessity of an extra sss-
sion; the republicans acknowledge
that their only object in having it
called is to gain the six Senators and
as many Representatives as South Da-
kota, Montana and Washington, when
admitted as States. shall be entitled to.
They have decided that owing to their
very narrow margin in both Houses,
this action is necessary in order to en-.
able the new States to organize and
send their Senators and Represents.
lives in time for the beginning of the
regular December session 1t remain
for Mr.. Harrison to decide if he will
allow his party leaders to compel him
to call needless session for the sake
Of few more votes.