Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-04-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
[From our regular correspondent

stood good chance to pass the House.
The improvement in the out look is not
owing to any conversions having been
made among the Democratic followers
Of Mr.. Randall-they are still as obsti-
nate as the one man who abused the
other eleven on the jury because they
would not agree with him, but Is owing
principally to revolt in the Republi-
can ranks, against the high protection
policy. This revolt is led by Mr.. Mel
son, of Minnesota, who made one Of the
strongest revenue reform speeches yet
heard in the House, Thursday. He went
over the whole question in q mastery
manner; he favors the retention Of the
internal revenue taxes, and a 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. 1
consider that q false prete nse. England
has free trade, while Austria, Germany,
Italy, and France have protection, and
yet wages are much higher in England
than in either of the other countries.
The main case of the low wages in
Europe, is to be found in the density of
population, and greater supply of la
bor." 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 shipped
back into the party traces.
The report of the majority of the
ways and means committe on the Mills
tariff bill, which has been prematurely
made public, though it has not been yet
presented to the House, is an able docu-
ment, and should be spread broadcast
among the people. 1t will doubtless
make many conversions to revenue re-
form.
The President went to New York
Friday, to attend the funeral ofex-Gov-
ernor Dorsheimer.
To-day was the eighth and last day
ofthe International Council of Women.
1t has been great success in every re-
spect.
The fnneral of the late Chief Justice
Waite, in the Hall of the House of Rep
resentatives, on Wednesday last, was
largely attended.
The bills pensioning Mrs. Gen. Logan
and Mrs. Gen. Blair have passed the
House. They get 50, 900 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
$4,000 available for this work, and
Secretary Whitney is anxious that it
should be judiciously used.
Gen. Terry has applied to the Secre-
tary of War to be axamined for retire
ment. Bad health is the reason.
It is extrmely doubtful whether the
present House will ever vote to repeal
the Limitation clause-limiting the
time to July, 1890, as the latest date for
filing Gains under the arrears of pen
sion act of 1879. There are several
bills of this nature before the House
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
$500, ,OOO, 900 and $500, ,OOO, 900 to pay al
claims for arrears of pensions, should
the limitation clause be repealed.
The Republicans of the Senate are in
badly demoralized condition. They
held caucus Thursday, in order tc
endeavor to bring about party harmony
but it was very bad failure. The eau
Gus was called to act on the bill author
izing the Secretary of the Treasury tt
purchase U. s. bonds, which has passed
the House, and is now before the Sen
ate. Senator Stanford and several 9th
ers announced that they would not b
bound by caucus action on this or any
other financial measure. The caucus
after appointing committee of clever
to arrange the order of business, ane
report the same to another caucus to b
held this week, adjourned.
Public Printer Benedict is now strict
ly enforcing the eight hour law in ever.
department of the Government Print
ing Office. The force is divided into tw,
sections, one beginning work at 8 a. m.
and continuing until 5p. M, with al
hour fer dinner, the other beginning a
5p. Tn., and working until l a. m.
Johnny Sherman is tired already, ant
it is said will shortly make public I
letter, announcing his retirement from
the Presi Dental canvass. The shadow
Of Jimmy Blaine is DER 'em all.
It is not believed that Chief Justic,
will be appointed for some time tt
come, possibly not until after the sum
mer recess of the Supreme Court. 1t i
still thought by those who should
know, if anyone other than Mr.. Cleve
land does, that Speaker Carlisle O
Do.k,v,a.k,,. Co..o..a s.,.>,. 18th D.o