St. Landry democrat., 1888-04-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, April 16, 1888.

"What is the legislative outlook, from
the Democratic standpoint" was asked
of a gentleman who is known to stand
very close to Mr. Cleveland. He re-
piled as follows: "Well, it is by no
means as bad as it was week ago.
The deadlock cost us ten days OF valu-
able time, but there is no use wasting
time now in talking about that. Lit is
over. thank Heaven. The main ques-
ton that Congress has to deal with this
session is the tariff The fight on that
will begin tomorrow IN the House when
the Mills tariff bill is called up for con-
sideratioD, and will continue until the
bill is passed or defeated, though |
don't think the last is likely to occur.
No other legislation, with the excep-
tion OF the regular appropriation bills,
will be considered by the House until
the tariff question is settled and | I'M
derstand that at the proper time the
leaders of the party will call a House
caucus, which will compel all Demo
Gratis in the House to vote for the bill.
All that will of course take time, but
the intention is, if possible, to bring the
bill to vote before the date set for the
meeting Of the st. Louis Convention.
"In my opinion" he continued. "it is
extremely doubtful whether this pro-
sramme can be carried out; there is !.
not time enough left. There will prob
ably be hundred or more set speeches.
delivered on the bill, some seventyfive
or eighty members having already filed
notice with khe speaker of their inten-
morrow to the meeting of the st. Louis
Convention there are jnst forty-two
days exclusive of Sundays. In all
probability the speeches to be made on
this bill will take up more time than
that, to say nothing of the days that it
will be absolutely necessary to devote
to the consideration of the regular ap-
preparation bills which must be passed
before the Both Of June, or some of the
wheels of government will become
clogged.
However, much time may be saved
by holding an early caucus aud map
ping ont the exact course to be fol-
lowed Oh the floor of the House, and
once mapped out, the leaders should see
that there is no going outside the lines
by any member of the party. IL a vote
is reached on the final passage Of the
Mills bill before the 1st of July, shall
be greatly surprised"
.'Of the other legislation now before
Congress The River and Harbor bill
will pass the House surely and probably
the Senate; the Dependent Pension bill is
hardly likely to get through the House
at this session the Springer Omnibus
bill for the admission of the Territories
of Dakota, Montana. Washington and
New Mexico, will be passed by the
House but not by the Senate the Blair
Educational bill is not likely to be re-
ported from the House committee.
There now, | have given you my ideas
of the Democratic legislative prospect /;
you are welcome to them, but don't use
my name, not that | care, but some
body else might, you know"
Ex-senator Wallace, of Pa, says the
Democrats OF that State are unanimous
for the denomination of Cleveland |
The same news come here from all Sec
tons of the country.
Chauncy Depew has a long head. He
says he does not want the. Republican
nomination. He did not give his rea-
sons, but the presumption is that he |
didn't want to be struck by the Cleve-
land cyclone.
A bill for the relief of soldiers and |
sailors who enlisted and served in the
army or navy during the rebellion UNI
der assumed names has been favorably |
reported by the House committee on
Military Affairs.
The Government printing Office in
vestigation, which was suspended a
short time ago on account Of the illness
Of the Chairman of the House commit
Mr.. Oates, the Alabama Representa-
tive who led the tlibusters in the re-
cent fight against the direct-tax bill. is
understood to be ambitious of repre-
senting his State in the Senate.
Mr.. Allen, of Mississippi, is making
quite a reputation in the House as a
quick witted and ready debator' He /
gave n fine example of his talent in that
line on Saturday, which was much en-
ioyed by the members. His victim was
Mr.. Perkins. of Kansas. who had start.
ed to address the House on the Indian
appropriation bill but who floundered
around, mixing up the tariff and the
slave trade and mistaking the c0nsttu-
ton Of the Confederate States for the
platform of the Democratic party. Mr..
Allen stood this as long as he could
and them proceeded to make the dis
connected gentleman from Kansas a
laughing stock. He said Mr.. Perkins
who when travelling, slept in room
with q cupboard i'm it. During the
uigtt one asked the other to look but of
the windoW and see what kind Of day it
was going to be. The latter opened the
glass door of the cupboard and ex-
1T is dark as hell and smells
like cheese" Instead of getting his
head out into the daylight of 1883, tile
gentleman from Kansas had got his
head into the cupboard of rebellion,
where everything was dark and smelled
like slavery. Mr.. Allen invited him to
discuss the live issues presented by the
Democratic party in the open sunshine
of to-day.
Am Esnd I'm Rnsn Son-,.i..u