The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-07-19
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, July Is, 1855

WASHINGTON, JULY Is, 1883.
Mr.. Barnum, chairman of the ma
tiOnal democratic committee, has been
in the city for several days in consulta-
ton with Mr.. Cleveland. Senator Cor
man and others. He positively refused
to be interviewed, but from another
source 1 learn that he is very confident
of democratic success. He winks in
comical sort of way, when told that the
republics - expect to carry Connect
cut, New York and New Jersey, as
much as to say '' they may smother
year. but not this oue."
Commissioner Colman certainly has
reason to feel proud of his administra>
tion of the Agricultural Department
when he receives such compliment as
the one paid him by Senator Plumb
at the meeting of the Senate commit
tee on Agriculture. The question un-
der consideration was the proposed
transfer of the weather bureau to the
Agricultural department.. General
Greeley, Chief Signal officer, was pres
ent to oppose the transfer. He accused
Mr.. Colman of using influence to bring
about the transfer; Senators Paddock
and Plumb, both republicans, warmly
defended Mr.. Colman from this charge
and Senator Plumb added, "the feel
ing among farmers of the West is in
favor of having the weather bureau
connected with the Agricultural De.
partment, which has grown steadily
despite opposition and ridicule, and
which is now rendering better service
and is of more value to the people than
ever beforen
The Postmaster Generals able letter
against the subsidy amendment" to
the Postoffce appropriation bill, was
before the Senate this week. 1t acted
on the republican Senators much as a
red bandana might be expected to act
on SO many young and unruly bulls
They insisted upon the amendment,
and asked for another conference. Mr..
Beck told them that he had no idea
that the House would ever agree to the
amendment, and he did not believe
that it ought to do SO.
The House has passed the Agricul-
tural appropriation bill, with the Sen
ate amendments.
Representative Samuel J. Kendall
had dangerous attack of hemorrhage
this week but is now somewhat better.
His physicians say that absolute rest
is necessary for him, so that it ia not
likely that he wi again appear on the
floor of the House at the present ses
sion.
The Mills tariff bill is making good
progress in the House, and hopes are
now expressed of getting it to final
} vote next week. passage is ssured
The Independent oelored political
Association of Virginia met in this
city this week, and heartily approved
the call for the conference of independ.
ent colored men at indianapolis on the
18th inst. They elected Is delegates
to the conference. and passed resolu
tion endorsing the adm .nistratinn o.
President Cleveland.
The nationsl convention of the Ma
, tional American party will be held in
this city August IA, to adopt a plat
form aud nominate candidates fol
t President and Vice President,
The Senate has passed a bill to amend
the Interstate commerce act, which
; makes a number of more or less i'm
portant changes in the law.
/, Granny" Blair has succeeded il
getting his constitutional prohibition
amendment about as far as it will eve
.. go. A favorable report hs 9 been mad,
upon 1t by the Senate committee.
The House committee on Military
, affairs has made favorable report OF
the bill introduced by Mr.. Laird, ap
; propriating $25O.OOO for aiding stat,
; houses for the support of disabled sol
, diers and sailors of the United States
) Among the provisions of the bill, il
r one providing for the payment to stat'
houses of 800 for each inmate received
by them.
1t is estimated at the Postoffice De
partment, that the deficiency in tn,
revenues of the postal service for tn,
D fiscal year just ended, will be abou
81. 600 600. Last year it was something
d over $5, SOC, 600
, The following gentlemen have beer
appointed by Chairman Barnum a
the campaign committee: w. L
3 Scott, of Pa; Arthur P. German, O
r Maryland Matt. w. Ransom. of N
f Carolina Calvin L. Brice, of Ohio
: John 3. Barbour, of Virginia; HeI
mann Oelrichs, of New York; Mill
Ross, of New Jersey Arthur Sewall
] of Maine and Erskine Nj. Phelps, o
= Illinois. The first meeting of thi
l committee will be held next Tuesday
f at the headquarters of the Natioua
committee in New York city.