Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1889-12-21
WASHINGTON.

D6DlOCTdllC IOeudtOIldl CAUCUS tnlo
morning list assigning the demo-
cratic Senators to positions on the
newly created Senate committees,
which was ratified by the caucus.
Affairs around the Office of the Ser
geant-Arms of the House are TAX
ing on an ugly look. The COM
mittee of the House, which has been
investigating the defalcation of the
absconding cashier, SilcOtt, in its par
tial report tells enough about the
loose way Of doing business in that
Office to surprise people, and every
body knows that the2committee dis
covered good many things which
it has not told because members and
ex-members of the House are mixed
up with them. This mystery should
be at once and without delay swept
away. Matters have arrived at the
stage where it will be far better to
make public everything the commit
tee has found out than to attempt to
smother up things, as has been done.
This smothering policy has resulted
already in filling the air with rumors
charging all sorts of things against
various gentle men of prominence in
both parties. In the meantime Sill
colt is the Lord only knows where,
and the books show shortage of
about 81 ,000.. If the action or rath-
er want;of action on the part of those
most concerned may be taken as a
basis of opinion, Silcott's defalcation
was no legal crime. He has howev-
er, been indicted by the grandjury
J of this city for forgery, and if his
whereabouts can de discovered he
may be brought back.
Congress will take recess from
Thursday next to January 8. Many
members and Senators will take ad-
vantage of this opportunity to go
home for a flying visit. This is par
ticularly true of the democrats Of the
House, who do not feel the same re-
sponsibility about the recess work Of
: the House committees that they did
J last year, and for some years past.
The Senate has two propositions
= before it relating to negro emigra'
: ton from the South. One is bill
5 offered by Senator Butler, and the
' other a resolution offered by Senator
GitsOn. Both look to Government
aid for the emigrants.
The Mckinley tariff bill vii
probably be the popular name fol
= the measure which the republican
y members of the Ways and Mean!
u committee will try to formulate OF
: that troublesome subject, the tariff
y 1t is entirely too early to attempt t
y make prediction as to what the new
' bill will be. Some people think tn,
bill will be based on the Senate tar
It if bill of the last session. Your cor
d respondent does not think so. Tn
e Senate bill of last year was vote
:, catching hodge-podge Of absurditie
e hurriedly throw to gether by order 0
e certain republican bosses, and would
IT never have passed the Senate had 40
er those who voted for it known that
l. was certain to be defeated in tn
House. The new bill will be con
structed in a more leisurely way an
= will consequently be better measur
10 it could hardly be worse.
u Gen. Clark, ex.clerk of the Hous
- of Representatives, has been preser
" ted with a valuable gold watch an,
~ ~ chain by his former employees.
- Chief Justice Fuller is coming OF
- y, in new role, that of popular orr
tor. He delivered the address at tn
Congressional centennial last Wee
TX nesday and he is to deliver. an addre>
IA at the dedication of the new Lincol
i'd Music Hall in this city next Frida
is night.
us The Senate has so far cOnfrme
Ii very few of Mr. Harrison's nomint
It, tons, and against some of thel
"a there is a very active fight beir
of made, notably Morgan, Commission
re- er of Indian affairs, and Dorchest
DE superintendent Of Indian school
ch 1t would not be surprising if the
gh two are rejected.
it A committe of the House has bee
NC appointed to try and run down Il