Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-05-25
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. G.
Nav %, 1888,

| bate was closed Saturday by speaker
Carlisle in the best argument made
on either side of the question. The
House was packed from floor to dome,
and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed
on the part of the friends Of the bill.
The Democrats offered to take vote
on the bill direct without amending 1t
in any manner, but the Republicans
are so afraid that the bill will pass
that they declined the offer, and SO
the whole subject was laid aside until
next week, when it will be taken up
for amendment and debate under the
five minute rule. Since the debate
opened one hundred and forty-five
speeches have been made for and
against the bill, and it is only fair to
saw that the Democrats have had the
best of the argument, while the Re
= publicans have done the billingsgate
part up to perfection. | have followed
the speeches very closely in the Record
and think that an impartial person
would come to the same conclusion.
1t is the prevailing opinion in Wash
ington that the Mills bill will pass In
substantially its present shape, al
though it may be laid aside until after
the Democratic convention.
The probable political complexion
of the next Senate is engaging a great
deal of attention just now, as the Sen
ate at present stands 80 Republicans
to 81 Democrats. On the Sd of next
March the terms of twenty-six Sena-
tors will expire-thirteen Democrats
and thirteen Republicans. Republi-
can Senator Riddleberger will be sue
ceeded by John S. Barbour, a Demo
crat, who has already been elected.
The only other State now represented
by Republican which the Democrats
have chance to elect Senator is
from Oregon, in which State the Re-
publicans have split in their camp.
The Republicans claim that they will
win in New Jersey and stand a good
chance in West Virginia, both at pres
ent represented by Democrats. There
is not much show for them in either
State. Should the Democrats hold
the New Jersey Senator that would,
with the Senatorship gained in Vir-
ginia, make the Senate tie. As there
are &c Republicans holding over to "a
| Democrats, should the latter retain
all their seats yet to be filled, that
would give them IA more, making
their number 80, and the IL coming
in for the Republicans would give
them the same number. Then the
Vice-President to be chosen next No
vember would, with his casting vote,
hold the balance of power. Should
the Democrats be able to capture
Oregon and retain New Jersey that
would just reverse the present status
of the Senate, making it stand 80
Democrats to 81 Republicans. From
present indications it looks as though
the Democrats this time next year
will have control of the Presidency,
and both the Senate and House. Let
us hope so.
Senator Stewart, of Nevada, intro
duced bill last week proposing an
amendment to the Constitution of the
United States so as to reduce from
two-thirds to majority the vote in
each House overriding Presidential
vetoes. 1t hurts the Republicans
awfully to have Democratic Presi-
dent veto their bills. The President
on Saturday vetoed nine bills, several
of which were pension bills. To show
the ease with which these bills are
passed it is only necessary to say that
three bills which were vetoed were
for pensions under bills passed early
in the present session. Comment is I'M
necessary.
The bill providing for holding the
Circuit and District Courts of the
United States at Martinsburg passed
both Houses and became law by the
President signing it Saturday.
Representative Wilson addressed
the Virginia Democratic Association
on tariff reform Friday evening. There
was large and enthusiastic audience
present, and as usual Mr. Wilson did
honor to himself.
Geo. w. Smith, formerly of Sharps-
burg, filed bill here last week for Il
divorce from Mary f. Smith. He
states that he was school teacher at
that place, and at the end of his term
secured school at Arlington, Va,
and made his home in that city; that
he repeatedly sent for his wife to join
him here, but she would not, and that
he is informed she married some one
to him unknown about five years ago.
He prays for divorce on the ground
of desertion.
The Senate Judiciary Committee
Monday discussed the nomination Of
Mr.. Fuller to be Chief Justice of the
United States. No action was taken
on the case, but it is stated upon the
authority Of member of the commit
tee that Mr.. Fuller will be confirmed
at an early date.
Mr.. James W. Smallwood, Of Har-
per's Ferry, an employee in the Post
Office Department, died on Monday
in this city after short illness. Mr..
Smallwood was an earnest an uncom-
promising Democrat, and his loss will
be felt by host of friends,
The bill to create a Department of
Agriculture was taken up in the House
yesterday and passed by vote of 233
yeas to 10 nays. 1t is likely that the
bill will pass the Senate in short
| tima s w. J.