The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-01-06
WASHINGTON LETTER
from our Regular Correspondent


WAsHrsaToN. D. G.. Jan. Q, 1888.
At the close of the year it is probably
the proper thing to briefly review the
Governments financial condition. Dur
ing the month of December, the re
ceipts from all sources were $29,325.-
25S, ard the disbursements were &c.,
400, ,6S2, a net gain of nearly nineteen
millions, out of which amount about
three and half millions interest upon
the public debt must be paid, leaving
the total during that month the nation
al debt was reduced fifteen and quar-
ter millions, and for the whole year it
was decreased q little more than one
hundred and seventeen million dollars
the largest reduction beng made in
June and November
Many Of the Congressman who visit
ed their homes during the recess, have
returned, and others are daily arriving
ALI looking with impatience 10 the
re assembling of Congress, when the
committees will be announced and the
work of the session will begin in earnest.
1t is understood that Speaker Carlisle
has finished his most tedious and
troublesome undertaking-that of max
ing cut his committee lists, and with
his great experience, it is confidently
believed that his work will be accept
able, although many members will be
disappointed at their assignments.
Those not familiar with the workings
of Congressional ambition cannot con-
ceive of the jealousies and chickering's
of aspiring statesmen in such matters.
II members name does not appear
first on a committee, he would like to
be second or third every Congress
man has settled aversion to appear
ing last on COMMITTEES.
Under the lead of those Republican
malignants, Senators Sherman, Hoar
and Edmunds, concerted effort is be
ing made to defeat the confirmation of
Mr.. Lamar, but it will probably fail of
its purpose, although it may defer &C.
tion on the nomination several weeks.
The proposed promotion of the Score
tary will be made the occasion of
lengthy and heated partisan debate by
the Republicans, in which the South
will be severely assailed. Senator
Sawyer, of Wisconsin, and one or two
other Republican Senators, have init
mated willingness to vote for Mr..
Lamar's translation, aud there is little
doubt of his ultimate success.
The Democratic Senators are very
pronounced in favor of tariff reform,
and they have appointed a committee,
Of which Mr.. Kenna is chairman, to
confer with the party leaders in the
House on the issue of tax reduction,
as such bill must necessarily origi-
nate in that body. Mr.. Kenna's select
ion is significant, and his views on the
question of tariff legislation are known
to be conservative, and it is therefore
thought that he is inclined to favor a
compromise measure.
Both parties realize that the tariff
must be revised, and they are accord.
ingly making preparations with the
view of accomplishing that object and
at the same time preserving partisan
alignments. II remains to be seer
whether such difficult feat in politica
gymnastics can be executed success
fully.
The report Of the Pacific Railroad
Commission will be one of the mos
important measures brought 10 the at
tention OF Congress, and it is hoped
that this giant corporation will be com
PEELED to fulfill its contract with tn,
Government whose forbearance il has
exhausted. Ex-Governor Paltison'
minority report is most severe bu
just arraignment, in which Republican
and millionaire United States Senate
Stanford and his bonanza associates
are handled in manner truly refresh
ing and convincing, and il is hopeC
that his views will direct the policy o
Congress
Among the Presidents Christmas
presents were frozen watermelon anC
. live golden eagle. 1t is supposed
that the melon was disposed of at th,
White House, but Mr.. Cleveland hay
ing no place about the mansion for tn,
proud bird of liberty, presented him tC
the ZOO at the national Museum tC
keep company with the bear, deer
prairie dog, wolves, and red foxes re-
Gently received from the West, and
which it is believed will form the
nucleus Of large collection Of Ameri-
can wild animals and fowls