The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-04-06
WASHINGTON LETTER



WAsnNer N, April End. 1883
Revenue reform has made some per-
ceptible headway during the past week. |
1t looks now az if the Mills tariff bill
stood a good chance to pass the House.
The Improvement in the out look is
not owing to any conversions having
been made among the democratic foa
lowers of Mr.. Randall--,hey are stih
as obstinate as the one man who
abused the other eleven on the jury
because they would not agree with
him,-but is owing principally to q
revolt in the republican ranks, against
the high protection policy. This revolt
is led by Mr.. Nelson, of Minnesota,
who made one of the strongest r, venue
reform speeches yet heard in the House,
Thursday. He went over the whole
question in mastely manner; he favors
the retention of the internal revenue
taxes, and general lowering OF the
tariff. In regard to high wages and
high tariff, he said: it has been the
fashion to ascribe The higher wages of
this country to the tariff. | consider
that a false pretense. England has
free ira le, while Austria, Germany.
Italy, and France have protection, ana
vet wages are much higher in England
than in either of the other countries.
The main cause of the low wages in
Europe, is to be found in the density
of population, and greater supply OF
labor. 1t is thought that the number
of republicans who practically agree
with Mr.. Nelson, is large enough to
ensure the passage of the Mills bill, If
they do not allow themselves to be
whipped back into the party traces.
The report OF the majority of the
ways and means committee on the
Mills tariff bill, which has been pre-
maturely made public, though it has
not been yet presented to the House.
is an able document, and should be
spread broadcast among the people.
II will doubtless make many conversions
to revenue reform.
The President went to New York
Friday, to attend the funeral of ex-
Governor Dorsheimer.
To day was the eighth and last day
of the International Council of Women.
1t has been a great success in every re
spect.
The funeral of the late Chief Justice
Waite, in the Hall of the House of
Representatives, on Wednesday last,
was largely attended.
The bills pensioning Mrs. Gen.
Logan and Mrs. Gen. Blair have passed
the House. They get $4,000 a year.
The naval board of coast defenses
organized last year, are to be called
upon to investigate the matter Of de
fenses There is an appropriation Of
S2,OOO,OOO available for this work, and
Secretary Whitney is anxious that it
should be judiciously used.
Gen. Terry has applied to the Secret
ary of War to be examined for retire
ment. Bad health is the reason.
1t is extremely doubtful whether the
present House will ever vote to repeal
the limitation clause limiting the
time to July l, 1880, as the laoest date
for fling claims under the arrears of
pension act of 1879. There are s'ver-
Al OILS Ol JIiS udtuIe pejOiV Ih'- IL u-V
committee on pensions. A sub-com
mittee has been appointed to consider
them, and report TO the full committee.
Gen Black, Commissioner of Pensions,
estimates that it will require between
5000. 100000 and $3O0,0O0,0O0 10 pay
all the claims fer arrears of pensions,
should the limitation clause be repealed.
The republicans OF the Senate are in
a badly demoralized condition. They
held a caucus Thursday, in order to en-.
deavor to bring about party harmony,
but it was very bad failure. The
caucus was called 20 act on the bill au-
thorizing the Secretary of the Treas
ury to purchase U. 8. bonds, which
has passed the House, and is now
before the Senate. Senator Stanford
and several others announced that they
would not be bound by caucus action on
this or any other financial measure The
caucus, after appointing committee
of eleven to arrange the order of
business, and report the sane to another
cancus to be held this week, adjourned.
Public Printer Benedict is now
strictly enforcing the eight hour law
in every department OF the Government
Printing Office. The force is divided
into two sections, one beginning work
at 7 A. M. and continuing until p.
NJ. with an hour for dinner, the other
beginning at p M. and working
until / A. M.
Johnny Sherman is tired already,
and it is said will shortly make public
a letter, announcing his retirement
from the Presidential canvass. The
shadow of Jimmy Blaine is DER EN-
all.
1t is not believed that Chief Justice
will be appointed for some time to come
possibly not until after the summer
recess of the Supreme Court. 1t is still
thought by those who should know, il
anyone other than Mr.. Cleveland does
that Speaker Carlisle or Postmaster
General Dickinson will get the appoint
ment But of course that does no
prevent the names of other gentlemen
being mentioned. Whoever it will b.
the appointment is sure to reflect honol
on Mr.. Cleveland and the Democratic