San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-02-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18th, 1889

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18th, 1889.
Daily LIGHT.
Sam Randall and chairman Mills
have locked horns for fight In the
House that bids fair to ma Ike the last
two weeks of the Fiftieth Congress
long remembered. The question at
issue between these two eminent de-
mocrats is the seemingly never-to-be-
disposed-of tariff. Mr.. mills, from
the committee on ways and means,
has reported the senate substitute for
his tariff bill to the House, accom-
panying it with a resolution declar-
ing that the senate bill is unconstitu-
tional, and directing the clerk of the
house to return it to the senate. This
of course is just so much CANNON, and
only means that the committee will
oppose the senate bill in every way
possible.
Here is where the real fight begins:
A bill which purports to be an entire
ly new tariff measure has Ueen re-
ported from the house ways and
means committee by Mr.. McNIillin.
In reality it is only the Mills bill
with the cotton, metal and chemical
schedule left out. Another bill has
been reported from the same commit
tee by Mr.. Breckenridge, which is
claimed by its authors to be COM
promise. 1t provides for free wool,
the repeal OF the tobacco tax, and COIL
tains the WOODEN and worsted sched-
ules of the original Mills bill. ALI
this is from the free trade wing of the,
democratic party. Now for the other
side: Mr.. Randall has reported, from
the app OPERATIONS committee, the
Cowles internal revenue bill, which re-.
peals all tobacco taxes and modifies,
some of the internal revenue laws rela-
ting to the manufacture and sale OF
liquors. All of these bills have been
referred to the committee of the
whole, and the question is which, if
either of them will be passed by the
house. The democrats of the house
will hold a caucus tonight to endeavor
to settle this question, but owing to
the large number of CHECKERS" it is
not thought probable that the caucus
will try to force members into sup
porting any measure, but will rather
try the power of persuasion in the
name of party harmony. The first
gun will be fired tomorrow, when Mr..
Mills calls up his resolution decla ring
UilC SClldIC Jill ITO
republicans will make a determined
fight against it, and they may receive
the support of some democrats, al
though none Is expected. With only
eleven working days after today,
there is small prospect of any tariff
legislation being accomplished.
The progressive element of the dem
ocratc party, under the leadership of
"Sunset Cox" joined with the repub-
licahs and instructed the house con-
ferences on the Springer Omnibus"
bill, to accept the senate amendments
dropping New Mexico and striking
out the provision providing for an
other election in Dakota. This will
make the bill provide for the admis-
sion, by presidential proclamation, of
North and South Dakota, Mont ana
and Washington, and unless some
thing now unforeseen shall prevent,
the day is not far distant when four
new stars will have to be added to our
national flag, and the senate chamber
will have eight new desks, used by
good republicans.
The new secretary of agriculture,
Norman J. Colman, was promptly con-
tirmed by the senate, and took the
oath of office Friday. Mr.. COlman says
he contemplates no changes; he will
leave that to the secretary that Gen.
Harrison shall select to preside over
the destinies of the new department.
1t is fortunate thing that we have
had no war since Mr.. Endicott has
been at the head of the war depart
ment. He is entirely too fast for this
slow going age. For instance; some
time previous to the presidential cleo
ton, the senate passed a resolution
calling on the secretary of war for in
formation as to a circular o, der sent
out prohibiting the employment of
republicans under that department.
He has just answered that resolution.
He says the department issued the or
der; and that his only reason there
for was to give place to democrats.
And yet some democrats call Mr.. En-
dicott a mugwump.
Senator SpOoner has introduced
bill providing for a system of farmers
Institutes, in various sections of the
country, under the control of the agri-
cultural department. The institutes
are to give instruction, furnish illus
trations by lectures and discussions,
make experiments, and in fact, to en-
deaVor in every manner TO enhance
the value of the farmers lard and
products. If properly conducted, these
institutes would be of great benefit to
the farmers of the country.
Senator Teller says he will not be a
member of the cabinet; that he has no
desire to leave the senate, nor has he
L 1 I II