The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-04-26
Washin gton Letter.
WASHINGTON, April Goth, 1888.

WASHINGTON, April Goth, 1888.
The great speech made by Repre-.
sentative Mills in the House of Repre-
,entatives on Tuesday in favor of rev.
snue reform is still the principal sub
iect of conversation in political circles.
Those who wish to, can of course con-
tinue to worship the war tariff, but
ey must not expect to hear their god
spoken of in reverential terms by rev.
enue reformers who consider it at besi
but robber of the people.
M. Mills speech was the opepirS S
gun insthe great tariff battle which
likely to rage with more or less W,
lence during the remainder of the
session. Judge Kelley. of Pa, replied
to Mr.. Mills with long manuscript
from w hich he read the usual old pro-
lection arguments.
1t is now positively, but not official
ly, stated that Hon. z. J. Phelps, OF
Vermont, our present Minister to Eng
land, will be nominated Chief Justice
of the United States. Although he Is
sixty-six years cid he is we'll preserved
and as lawyer he is considered the
peer of any in the country. He Is
democrat, and in his construction of
the Constitution and in all other
questions he is thoroughly qualified to
take up the duties of the position from
the frst hour he ascends the Supreme
bench. Iu fact, barring his age, his
appointment to the place would un-
doubtedly give satisfaction. He is ex-
pected here in few days.
The Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations have by strict party vote
decided to report adversely on the
Fisheries Treaty.
The handsome residence purchased
in this city by the friends of the late
Gen. Hancock, hss been formally
transferred to his widow.
Secretary Whitney has written a
letter to Rear Admiral Gherardi plac
ing in his charge the construction o
the armored battle ship, Maine, which
is to be built at the Brooklyn Navy
yard. In 1t he says that in view of the
fact that this will be the first war shiI
built entirely by the Government fol
Is years, it is highly important tha
the work shall be well done. He hopes
that the yard will turn out a vesse
that will be favorably judged by Con
gress and the people.
Representative Martin, Of Texaa
has introduced bill in the House inn
posing q punishmento Of imp risonmen
for life with hard labor, or the imposi
ton of the death penalty, for the of
fense of bribing, or attempting t.
bribe. any..United States Judge, mem
Der of Congress, or Government officer
to render decision or judgement. o
to vote upon any pending proposition
or to do any official act.
A bill has also been introduced int
the House declaring all interstat
pools or combinations limiting or con
trolling the production, sale, or pric
of any article of trade or commerce. +
be unlawful and criminal conspiracy
The House has passed bill whicl
provides for the establishment of
Department of Labor, the general de
sign and duties of which shall be
acquire and diffuse among the peopl
3 of the United States useful information
upon labor in the most general an
g com prehensive sense of that word, AN
!. especially upon its relation to capita
Q to hours of labor, the earnings of me
Q and women, and the means of pre-
e noting their material, social. intellect
j. ual and moral prosperity. Anothe
8 bill was parsed providing for arbitrs
8 ton between railroads and their en-
= ployes.
: The Investigation of ftheGovernmer
Printing Office has been resumed.
. has been fully established that it wa
9 q com mon practice under Mr.. Benz
diets republican predecessor to do pr
e vate work for politicians and others.
w. J. Brennan. of Pittsburg, chail
man of the Democratic county com
mittee, is in the city. He says th
democrats of Pennsylvania will hol
their own this year. He also announce
himself as an out and out free tradel
The democratic members of tn
c House held a caucus on Wednesda
: evening at which it was agreed to Civ
!, the republicans tie fullest opportunit
: to discuss the tariff bill, and resolu
: tion was adopted requesting the dem
ocratic members of the Ways an
? Means Committee to confer with tn
, republicans of that committee and as
rtain if it is possible to reach som
satisfactory agreement as to the lengtl
/ of time discussion on the bill shal
continue. AS soon ss this conferenc
, ia held there will be another caucus.
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