The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-09-29
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


(From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Sept. Oath, 1885,
Senator Allison, in reply to ques-
ton, said that the caucus of Republic
cen Senators which was held on
Saturday discussed everything bear
ing on the "Order of business" of the
Senate, but that nothing definite was
dOne-in fact, no vote was taken up
on anything. The caucus was called
for the purpose of getting a general
expression of opinion on certain sub
iects. While no vote was taken, it
was virtually decided that the tariff
bill should be reported after the hear
ings in regard to the sugar trusts are
oyer; also, that Senator Sherman's
bill against trusts should be passed at
an early day; likewise, the bill to
admit Washington Territory as a
State.
Senator Plumb to-day called up his
bill forfeiting certain lands granted
to the Northern Pacific Railroad.
The Chinese Government has, by
its rejection of the treaty, recently
ratified by the Senate, helped Cleve-
land out of very embarrassing po-
sition in regard to the Chinese Ex-
clusion bill just passed by Congress.
This bill was prepared by Represen-
tative Scott-Cleveland's chum-and
was passed by the House in about
thirty minutes, without debate or
objection, the day after news of a
reported rejection of the treaty reach
ed this country, Several days later
a cablegram was received from the
United States Minister to China, say
ing that the treaty had not been re-
.jected, but its consideration had been
postponed. Mr.. Cleveland and Sec
rotary Bayard then both took the
trouble to repudiate the action of Mr..
Scott in railroading the bill through
the House, both of them being of the
opinion that no legislation should be
taken until the Chinese government
had taken some official action on the
treaty. The anti-Chinese fever was
too much for the Senate. and the bill
was passed by 1t. though not without
protests. 1t was placed in Cleve-
lands hands Friday, and bets were
offered here that he would veto it,
but on Saturday the official news of
the rejection of the treaty by the
Emperor of China was received at
the State Department. Now, of
course, the bill will be signed. The
treaty having been rejected, some
such law is a necessity, and every
body is in favor of it, and 1 only
mention the matter to show CIeve-
lands good luck in getting out Of an
embarrassing position.
Senator Chandler will tomorrow
ask the Senate to pass his resolution
providing for an investigation of the
Louisiana election.
No pension for Mrs. Sheridan will
go through the House at this session.
Two men have made themselves con-
spicuous in opposing this measure.
They are Kilgore, the House bully,
an ex-rebel from Texas. and Cheadle,
a copper-head Democrat from In
diana, both of whom have objected
in every conceivable manner to the
consideration of the bill giving PEN
sion to the widow of Little Phil"
Mr.. Kilgore has become chronic
nuisance. Representative Dougherty,
of Florida, asked unanimous consent
of the House for the passage of the
joint resolution, which had already
passed the Senate, appropriating
100000 for the relief of the yellow
fever sufferers. Kilgore objected,
thus preventing the passage of the
resolution for the present.
The House bill making the Agri-
cultural Department an executive de-
partment under the control of a Sec
rotary of agricultural has been passed
by the Senate, with the section trans
ferring the weather bureau to the new
department struck out.
The complaints against Postmaster
Judd, of Chicago, one Of Mr.. Cleve-