Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-02-28
Washington Letter.
from Our Regular Correspondent
ny ri 1otl. 1000

remembered. The question at issue
between these two eminent Democrats
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, accompanying it with
resolution declaring that the Senate
bill is unconstitutional, and directing
the clerk of the House to return it 10 the
Senate. This of course is Just so much
CANNON, and only means that the COM
mittee will oppose the Senate bill in
every way possible.
Here is where the real fight begins:
A bill which purports to be an entirely
new tariff measure has been reported
from the House Ways and Means COM
mittee by Mr. McMillin. 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 committee by Mr.. Brecken-
ridge, which is claimed by its authors
to be a compromise. 1t provides for
free wool, the repeal of the tobacco tax,
and contains the wooden and worsted
schedules of the original Mills bill.
All this is from the free trade wing of
the Democratic party. Now for the
other side: Mr. Randall has reported.
from the appropriations 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 re-
ferred 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
caucus to might to endeavor to settle
this question, but owing to the large
number Of ''kickers,' it is not thought
probable that the caucus will try to
force members into supporting 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 declaring the Senate bill I'M
constitutional. The Republicans will
make determined fight against it, and
they may receive the support of some
Democrats, although none is expected
With only eleven working days after
to-day there is small prospect of any
tariff legislation being accomplished.
The progressive element of the DEM
ocratic party, under the leadership of
"Sunset Cox" joined the Republicans
and instructed the House conferees on
the Springer Omnibus" bill, to accept
the Senate amendments dropping New
Mexico and striking out the provision
providing for another election IN Dako-
ia. This will make the bill provide for
the admission, by presidential proclaim
alton, of North and South Dakota,
Montana and Washington, and unless
something 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
confirmed by the Senate, and took the
oath of Office Friday. Mr.. Colman
says be contemplates no changes; he
will leave that to the Secretary that
Gen. Harrison shall select to preside
over the destinies of the new depart
men.
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 resolution
calling on the Secretary of War for in
formation as 10 q circular order sent
out prohibiting the employment of Re-
publicans under that department. He
has Just answered that resolution. He
says the department issued the order;
and that his only reason therefor was
to give the places to Democrats. And
yet some Democrats call Mr.. Endicott
u mu., Sump.
Senator Spooner has introduced q
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 illustra.
tons by lectures and discussions, make
experiments and in fact, TO endeavor in
every manner to enhance the value of
the farmers land 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
been asked to do So This is plain lam
guage from plain man, and efectual-
liz removes MIR. Teller's name from the
slate.
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