Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-09-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Senator Vest bullded better than he
knew, when, IN a speech Ia the Senate,
he taunted the Republican Senators
into acknowledging that they had no
intention Of reporting substitute for
the Mills bill af the present session. 1t
was a most humiliating and cowardly
admission to make; IL shows how abject
the Republican Senators can be, when
their master, Jim Blaine, issues his
commands. Not two weeks ago, the
Republican Senators, in caucus, agreed
TO report their tariff bill in ten days,
and now Senators of such prominence
as Sherman, Allison and Hiscock have
do not intend to report the bill at this
session, 1t was great triumph for
Blaine, but how humiliating IL must
have been for the Senators. The
reason which they give for not report
ing the bill is perfectly absurd-the
lack of time. Pray what have they
been doing since last December, for it
was just as well known on the first day
of the Fiftieth Congress that the Demo-
Gratis of the House Intended to perfect
and pass tariff hill as it was on that
warm day in last July when the House
passed the Mills bill, and there was no
thing to prevent the Republicans Of the
Senate from having their bill ready
Just as soon as the Democrats of the
House had theirs. But the Republi-
cans counted on the failure of the Mills
bill in the House, and were badly dis
appeared by its passage. There are
several reasons why the Republicans
have decided not to report their bill.
First, they were by no means certain
that they could pass it, if it was report
ed. Secondly, they dare not report
bill without entering into general re-
vision of the present iniquitous tariff,
and that revision would be certain to
lose them votes among that favored
class of manufacturers who are protect
ed at the expense of the people at large.
Thirdly, and most important of all, Mr..
Blaine issued an edict that no Republi-
can tariff bill should be reported at this
session. If the voters of this country
do not censure the Republican party
for this cowardly evasion of what was
plainly its duty, shall be very much
surprised. The people of this country
admire manliness and bravery in
politics as in everything else, and after
the Democratic party had made up its
bill upon which to appeal to the coun-
try, it was manifestly the duty of the
Republicans to present similar bill, in
order that the voters might intelligent
y chose which party to vote for. What
with Mr.. Blaine's ideas on trusts and
this latest command of his, the Repub-
licans are likely to wish he had stayed
in Europe.
Secretary Whitney and Senator
Payne have both made explicit denials
of being in any manner connected with
the Standard Oil Company. And they
both state that nine-tenths of the stock
holders in that company are Republi-
cans. So much for Senator Hoar's in
situations that these gentlemen were
connected with that corporation, and
that the said corporation was large
contributor to the Democratic cam
paign fund. If this concern has con-
tributed to either party it is probable
that it was to the Republicans.
The Democratic Representatives will
hold a caucus tomorrow night to
decide whether the House shall pass a
joint resolution setting a date for ad-
journmento or whether they shall compel
the Senate to take the first step. There
is at present a diversity of opinion
among the Democratic leaders, hence
| the caucus.
Senator German has gone to New
York TO direct the campaign during the
absence of Chairman Brice.
The new silver vault in the Treasury
Department contained Saturday night
010 tonS of silvar dOllars
The Senate Committee on Foreign
Affairs, it is believed, intend to pigeon
hole the Canadian retaliation bill re-
Gently passed by the House.
The motion to reconsider the vote by
which the Senate passed the Chinese
restriction bill has not yet been voted
upon in the Senate, owing to the lack
of a quorum. Ifaquorum is present to-
day it will probably be agreed to.
1t is believed that the Republicans
are plotting to keep Congress in session
until after the election, IN order to pre-
vent the Democratic members from
| taking an active part in the campaign.
Senator George, replying to Senator
Hoar's insinuations regarding Secretary
Whitney, took occasion to deliver a
well-deserved eulogy on Secretary
Whitney, in the course Of which he
said that not since the foundation of
the Government had there been man
in the Office Of Secretary of the Navy
who had been more efficient, more
honorable, more devoted to the
interests confided to him than the
present Secretary of the Navy. There
were no scandals In that Office now, no
Secor- Robson contracts. nor suspicion
that single dollar appropriated for the
Navy had not been fully, completely
and honestly applied to that purpose.
There is not word of truth in the
rumor that Secretary Whitney proposes
To retire from the Cabinet.
The Senate has passed resolution
instructing the Committee on Finance
to inquire into the copper trusts and to
report what legislation is necessary to
protect the people from its exactions.
1 The bill amending the Interstate
| Commerce law has been passed by the
House. @
Hon. George c. Gorham, formely
Secretary of the United States Senate
and editor of the National Republican
of this city, says ne is for Cleveland in
preference to Harrison with Blaine at.
tached as Secretary Of State. Mr.
Gorham was close friend of the late
Roscoe Conkling and has always been q
Republican. Uliis aga H3t
Never was there more marked diff.
ference between two documents than
that between the letters of acceptance
y