Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-02-01
GOSSIP FROM THE CAPITAL.
Frav--sentimeDt In Favor of Addi-
tiOnaI fractional Currency. Etc.

from our Regular correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 80.
The democrats of the ways and means
committee are giving themselves earnestly
to the arduous task of framing new
tariff bill which they hope vii! prove
acceptable to their associates in the house
and to the party generally. Those re-
publicans who constitute the minority of
the committee. will not be consulted in
regard to the measure until the work is
complete aud ready for final action. The
majority are well satisfied with the pro
gress they have made, and feel sauguine
of the ultimate success of their labors
though that most desirable result cannot
be reached without liberal concessions to
conflicting opinions. 1t is proposed to
have a general revision and reimbursement
of the tariff, and the salient features of
the bill will be similar to that presented
on Il former occasion by MIR. Hewitt. The
new bill will make reduction of 20 per
cent on sugar and also large reductions
in the taxes on fruit, branches and to.
bacco, and will place salt, wool, lumber
and other raw materials on the free list
The bill is practically agreed upon now,
and it is probable that it will be brought
to the consideration 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
presid initial campaign.
Mr.. Randall threw himself in the
breach the other day, and by resorting to
dilatory tactics. prevented the appoint
ment of day for the introduction of bills
for the erection of government buildings.
This was patriotic service on the part
of the distinguished Pennsylvania states
man, as there appears to be a 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 ntellects of our national egis.
lators.
Responsive to the popular demand
there appears to be II pretty general sen
tment in the house in favor of authorize
ing the issue of about twenty million dol>
lars in fractional currency. There seems
to be a shortage of small bills, as the
bureau of engraving and printing is push.
ing work on the So and So silver certiti
Gates, as the present demand is greatly in
excess of the supply, but it is believed
that in few days the stock will be sulli.
GENTLY large.
The civil service commissioners have
been cited to appear before house COM
mittee and to express their views on sew
eral bills that are now under consilera
ton. Some changes are likely, for it is
an open secret that the committee on
civil service, more particularly the chair
man, are opposed to the present law.
One republican member, Representa-
tive White, of Indiana, is to be unseated
upon the motion of his competitor. ex.
Congressman Lowry. Although it is be-
yond question that White received clear
majority of the votes cast, he will be ex>
PEELED, because it is shown that he has
not been legally naturalized. being a
native OF Scotland. Mr.. Lowry does not
secure the seat, as it is the decision of the
committee on electious that there was no
election, hence vacancy will be declared |
to exist.
The next contest to be acted upon is |
that Of Worthington, democrat, against
Post republican, of Illinois. The cleo |
ton was very close-only twenty nine |
majority being claimed-and it is very
probable that another republican will be
unseated. as the democrat claims that he |
has rightful maj oritY of ten votes
The senate committee on pensions
have unanimously approved Senator
MandersOn's Grand Aamy" bill, which
has been so framed as to overcome the
objections urged by President Cleveland
in his disapproYal of the dependent PEN
sion bill.
The bill granting Mrs. Logan So. 600
pension, excited quite discussion
among the senators, but it passed by a
large majority, as did another bill in
creasing to the same amount the pension
of Mrs. Frank P Blair.