The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-01-26

Mr.. Morton's present visit to
Washington is for The purpose of IA
miliarizing himself with the duties
of the presiding officer of the Senate,
In order that he may he prepared to
assume them after the fourth of
March without aWk wardness.
The House has passed bill pro.
viding for the admission of South
Dakota with two Representatives
and Montana with one. by Presiden-
tial proclamation, when the voters
accept the constitution already form
ed i; and for the admission of North
Dakota. Washington and New Mex.
leo by Congress when their constitu-
tions are formed, Opinion differs as
to the probabilities of Senatorial &C.
ton on this measure, but the major.
ity think that nothing will be done
at the present session.
Senators Morrill, and Stanford, the
Republican members of the sub.com-
mittee of the committee on public
buildings and grounds, which is en-.
gagged in investigating the Office of
the Supervising Architect of the
Treasury, have already exposed a
condition of affairs that should put
somebody in prison. 1t has been a
common practice in this Office for
employees to make contracts. through
outside dummies, to perform work
which should have been done in the
office. Although receiving salaries
from the Government, these men
were allowed to contract for doing
work, and what is worse than all, to
fix the price to be paid for the same
The investigation is not yet over;
and it is said that considerable crook
edness is expected to be shown up in
connection with the selection of sites
in various cities for public buildings.
The Democratic administration will
get out none too soon.
The Democratic Senators are some
what frightened at the prospect of
number of Democrats of the House
voting with the Republicans to pass
the Senate tariff bill. Representative
Wilson, Of West Virginia, and Rep
resentative Catchings. of Miss, have
openly stated their intention of
voting for the measure, if it ever gets
before the House, and it is generally
believed there will be enough of the
same sort to insure its passage, if it
could be brought before the House.
There's the rub. 1t is hardly likely
to be voted upon in the House. I'M
less its friends can steal a march on
its enemies.
The supporters of the several cam
didates for Speaker are showing
disposition to divide up into factions.
Pennsylvania has two candidates for
Clerk of the House. Hon. Ed. Nc
Pherson and Major Carson, Wash
ington correspondent of the Phila-
deIphia Ledger. Pennsylvania has
always had the clerkship when the
Republicans have had the House, but
the combinations made on the Speak.
ership may result in giving it to some
other State this time.
Mr.. Randall, although doubtless
greatly enjoyed the defeat of the
Mills Carlisle wing of the party,
which Mr.. COWles of North Carolina
brought about when he secured the
adoption of his motion referring a bill
containing the Interna! revenue por-
ton of the original Mills bill to the
appropriation committee. of which
r. lndall is chairman, instead of to the
ways and means committee to which
it properly belonged, is now in
great quandry about what to do with
the bill. L reported to the House it
may pass, and that would be a re-
buke to the administration and the
party leaders. ana AS Mr.. Randall
expects to lead his party in the next
House, he does not want to set pre-
cedent that might cause him trouble
in the future.