Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-07-20
WASHINGTON LETTER


Written and compiled tor the HERALD.
WASHINGTON, July lG, 1888.
Senator Edmunds has introduced
a bill, which, If passed, will be of
great benefit TO the Government, to
say nothing of the thousands of
dollars it will save Tor Uncle Sam.
1t provides for the establishment of
Council OF Ordnance, to consist
of three officers from the Army,
three officers from the Navy, and
three civilians. The duty of this
council shall be to conduct exam
nations into all such questions re.
lating to the fabrication and use of
ordnance, prOjectiles, and explo-
sives, as may be referred TO it by
Congress or the War or Navy de-
partment. No money shall be
spent by any department, until this
council shall have examined and re.
ported on the feasibility of the
methods proposed to be adopted.
In view OF the fact that during the
next ten years this Government
will in all probability spend mil
lions of dollars for ordnance, this
bill is particularly apropos.
The Democratic IIonse has for
the second time refused to accept
the Senate amendment to the post.
office appropriation bill to increase
the mail facilities between the
United States and Central and
South America. The law under
which the mails are forwarded to
these countries, was enacted in
1S5S-thirty years ago. Since that
time great progress has been made
by those countries, as we'll as by
the United States. The Republi-
cans of the Senate wish to put the
mail facilities IN line with 1888,
but the Democrats decide to keep
it with 1853. Well, this will not
last always, the people will elect
Republican House as well as Pres.
ident this year.
Gen. Greedy, Chief of the Signal
Service, made a charge against
Commissioners Colman of working
in an undetermined manner, to get
the weather bureau transferred to
the Agricultural department. The
charge was made last Wednesday
to the Senate committee on Agri-
culture. Now Gen. Greely has
written o letter to Senator Palmer,
a member of that committee, in
which he apologies for what he
said, and states that he was wrong
ly informed, as he has since learned.
Dan Lamont has gone to New
York, ostensibly to see his family,
but in reality to finish the political
deal that Clevel and is making with
the thrifty Democratic politicians
OF that state. Lamonts visit will
settle the doubt as to who will be
the Democratic nominee for Cover.
nor of that state.
Quite a number Of the Republi-
can Senator'S are opposed to the
Senate remaining in session long
enough to pass a tariff bill as a
substitute for the Mills bill. They
say that when the Mills bill liz re-
celved by the Senate, all that will
be necessary will be to formulate a
substitute therefor, report it, place
it on the calendar, and there let it
remain until the next session.
They argue that this substitute, as
soon as reported, will 90 before the
country as the Republican tariff
bill, and that it will have just as
much effect as if they remained
her to formally pass it.
On Friday Senator Dawes pre-.
scented to the Senate a numerously
signed remonstrance of the wool
manufacturers and wool dealers,
against the legislation proposed in
the Mills bill. AS usual, the Re.
publican Senate will protect our
business interests.
Mr.. Sam'l j. Randall, the brainy
Pennsylvania representative, is ~
ing very Ill at his residence in this
city. The trouble is hemorrhages.
Hopes of his recovery are entertain.
ed, but the worst is feared.