The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1888-12-20
Washington Letter.
(From our regular Correspondent.)

(rkoW our regular COfreSpOn0ent.) r,
WAsHINGroS, D. c.. Dec. 10, 1883.
] Senator Beck's sbsence has been seriously
|Selt in the senate since the republican tariff
3ill has been taken up. He Is the one
democratic senator who has tho whole sub
jsct at his fingers ends, and hope that he
would be able to resume his seat at the
present session, together with the idea,
which for some reason was prevalent among
the democratic senator's, that the republi-
cans would not take up the tariff at this
session, hss doubtless prevented the demo-
cratic senators from preparing themselves
to make rs stout resistance as WAS expect
ed Of them to the passage Of the bill. This
may be remedied yet, but as il stands now,
the democrats Of the house are expressing
great dissatisfaction at what they call the
apathy" of democratic senator's. Mr..
Cleveland is also understood to be dissatis-
fed. In the meantime Senator Beck's ply
sician has ordered him to spend the winter
in the south, and he will 60 to Aiken, 8. C.
Representative Mills has broken down
under the immense strain of the last session
and the campaign. He will 60 in search Of
health, and is not expected to return to
Washington during the session.
Last week il looked for q while as il the
republicans. were to lose the next house
after all, recount in sever al close districts
resulting in favor of the democrats, and
even now they appear to have a majority Of
only one, which SO far as legislation is con-
cerned is hardly better than a minority. The
would-be speakers Of the next house arc all
on the anxious bench.
Secretary Whitney has ordered three
naval vessels to proceed to Hayti as soon as
they can be made ready for sea. to enforce
the demand made by the state department
for the release of an American vessel ills-
gally seized Ly the Haytian government.
One republican has been discovered who
says that under no circumstances would he
be member Of IIarrison's cabinet. 1t is
Senator Palmer, Of Michigan. He says
that after the fourth of March he is going to
be farmer.
The direct-tax bill was called up in the
house Thursday, and tomorrow and We'd
nesday will he devoted to it, with a vote on
Wednesday. II it passes, as now seems
probable, the generaI impression is that Mr..
Cleveland will veto it.
No signs Of the business session" Of
which we have recently heard 50 much, have
yet been discovered iu congress. The senate
adjourned from Thursday until today, and
the house from Friday, and already the
members are beginning to talk about the
holiday recess, although short time ago
that was to be dispensed with this year.
No legislation looking to the admission
of new states is probable at this session.
The democrats are willing to pass bill for
the admission Of Dakota as one state, pro-
vided that New Mexico is admitted at the
same time. This does not suit the republi-
cans. '.-
A bill has been introduced in the house to
make TWO states out Of California, hut moth
ing is expected to come out of it at this
session.
Secretary Whitney favors the establish
msnt in this city Of an army and nsvy
museum. The government has in its pos
session many articles that would make such
an establishment very interesting one 10
visitors, and the idea has been received
with such favor that it is probable that
congress will pass bill to that effect.
Senator Butler has introduced Joint
resolution, proposing constitutional
amendment extending the presidential term
to six years. IL is IN excellent idea, and
should be adopted wish an amendment max
ing the pres'dent iPsligible for seoonJ
term. az. @ fta
The house committee on invalid pensions
has reported the pension appropriation bill.
The amount appropriated is $8l, ,767, 500,
and yet some people are not satisfied with
the liberslity Of the government toward its
former soldiers.
Tho house devoted last Friday to the Mic.
aragua canal BILL. Considerable opposition
was manifested. It will be again taken up
next Friday.
Senator Plumb, in few remarks on the
aenate tariff bill, made the fact very plain
1 T |11 1nn01a AZ that measure .
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