Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-06-13
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON. June

From onr Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, June IL.
Enthusiastic is IA very mild word fol
describing the condition of the demo-
cratic members of congress who have
Just returned from the ST.. Louis conven-
ton. and there is ample reason why
every democrat in the United States
should he as enthusiastic as they. Cleve'
land and Thurman. and platform broad
enough and strong enough to hold every
democrat in the country, are sufficient
causes for universal enthusiasm. Never
before in the history of the democratic
party has it entered the presidential cam
paign with such good prospects of vic~
tory; never before was the party so thor
Oughly united. That much credit for
this very ilattering state Of affairs in the
party is due to MIR. Cleveland cannot be
denied He has given the country a
good, honest, painstaking administration;
one that has been conservative and steady;
no fireworks; no bunkum; just plain,
every day. good, old fashioned demo
cratic ideas of business, applied in bus>
mess way, and the result is an administra-
ton that has pleased the people so well
that they have concluded to have four
years more of it. The American voter
knows good thing when he sees it.
Every true democrat will take pleasure in
honoring that old wheelhorse, Allen G..
Thurman, of Ohio. The red bandanna
is the symbol that will lead us to victory.
The republicans are in pitlable con-
dition. Their national convention at
Chicago Promises 10 he in marked con-
t-ast to the St. Louis convention, which
tl,,~ ,l,r Inr nhar 10
every indication that they will have a
bitter and prolonged fight over the nom
nation which may result in a deadlock
between the leading candidates. and the
nomination of Blaine in spite of his posi-
tive declinatlon, or the nomination of
some entirely new and unknown man.
In either case the fight is likely to be of
such a nature as to virtually disrupt the
party.
Congress continued in session all last
week, but owing to the absence of many
embers at st. Louis, very little busir
ness of Importance was considered. Ow>
ing to a trick on the part of the repubi-
cans of the house. by which they tried to
get the arrears of pension bills before the
house, the tariff bill was again taken up
under the five minute rule, though it had
been agreed previously to pass it by until
today. Unless something is done to ex-
pedate this measure. it is difficult to see
how it can possibly be finished during
the present session of congress.
The president has approved the act OF
congress providing that pensions hereto
fore or hereafter granted to widows of
soldiers of the war of the rebellion shall
commence at the date of the death of
their husbands. This law affects favor
ably all claims of widows of the late war,
which have been filed in the pension Of
flee since July /, 1880. and which have
been allowed to commence from the date
of the fling of the claims, but it will not
affect the claims of widows filed before
July /, 1880.
Notice is given by the pension office
that in the settlement under this law of
claims already allowed, no formal appli- |
cation will be required, and the services
of attorneys will not be necessary. |
Widows entitled to back pension under
this law ,need only write letter, giving |
name, postofilce address and certificate |
number, and the claim will be allowed |
with as little delay as possible.
Judge Thurman is expected in WASH |
ington this week. He comes to invite |
the president and Mrs. Cleveland to at |
tend the Ohio centennial to be held at
Columbus next September. He will be |
given grand reception by the democrats
of this city and congress. The capital
will be painted red with bandana
handkerchiefs. The "Old Roman" and
the president came to know and love
each other well about a year ago when
Mr.. Thurman made visit to Mr.. Cleve-
land, and was entertained at "Oak
View" the presidents country residence.
The torchlight procession and ratifca-
tion meeting will take place in this city
on the evening of the Goth inst, the day
on which the democratic national com
mittee meets here for organization.
Attorney General Garland, who has
been quite i'll, is convalescing, but Gen>
eral Sheridan's condition continues pre-
carious His death may be expected at
any moment.
Representative Oates. of Alabama, has
introduced bill in the house which i'm
poses a tax of $25 on every immigrant
arriving in this country.
All the exsoldiers in the employ of
the government. both Union and Confed-
crate, will be given leave of absence to
attend the reunion at Gettysburg on the
of the battle at that place.