Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-12-19
WASHINGTON LETTER,
rTrom our regular Correspondent !

Chief Justice Miller has consented Il
deliver the address to Congress when II
celebrates its centennial Wednesday
One hundred years of Congress is g
theme that almost any man could be,
come eloquent over and the people are
expecting something great from the
Chief Justice. Admittanee into the
Capitol is to be by ticket only, and al
ready ii Is almost impossible to obtain
them. ....Bf
Sergeant-at-Arms Leedom of the
House of Representatives has the sym-
pathy of everybody here in the misfor-
tune that overlook him just as he was
preparing TO turn his office over to Mr..
Holmes, his newly elected Republican
successor. G.. E. Silcott, who has been
cashier of Mr.. Leedom's Office for six
years and who has handled during that
time more than $50, ZOO, 900 has turned
thief and absconded with about $4,000
of somebody elses money. Whose
money, and who will have to bear the
loss is as yet very fine legal problem.
The money was drawn from the Treas
ury by Silcott on salary receipts signed
by Members of the House of Represen-
tatives, and the Treasury officials claim
that the men who signed the receipts
will have to stand the loss, while the
Representatives are generally Of the
opinion that the loss should fall on the
Government, and that the Government
will have to take its chances of recover
ing the money from Mr.. Leedom. Sew
eral Treasury experts are now assisting
a committee of the House to investi-
gate the books of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
AS soon as their report is made the
House will take some action. Gamb-
ling and women were the cause of
Silcott's ruin. He is supposed to be in
Canada.
The nomination ofJudge d. J. Brew
er, of Kansas, to be Associate Justice
of the Supreme Court was a complete
surprise to everyone here, except the
Kansas Senators. 1t was hardly well
come surprise either to many ofthe Re-
publicans. The fact that Judge Brewer
is rampant Prohibitionist add nothing
to the popularity of his nomination. |
There is no opposition to his confirma-
ton, which will probably be pushed
right through. ....
No official notice of the death of Jeffer- |
son Davis was taken here, notwith- |
standing his having once been Secreta-
ry of War, and quite a sensation was
created in some quarters because a lady |
living several squares from the Capitol, |
saw fit to drape the front of her house |
in mourning.
Senator Voorhees, is "loaded for bear"
on the tariff question. He offered a
preamble and resolution in the Senate
setting forth the fact that all existing
tariff taxes OH foreign merchandise
should be so revised, repealed or
as to provide: First, for the
collection of sufficient revenue to pay
the expenses of the Government,
administered, the princi-
pal and interest of the public debt as
hey fall due, and liberal pensions, but
1ot dollar more; second for the taxation
If all articles of luxury at the highest
practicable rates and for the reduction
If taxes on all necessaries of civilized
ife to the lowest possible rates consis-
ent with tariff for revenue only; third,
or the curtailment and overthrow as
ar as possible of all monopOlies in trade
~ the enlargement of the free list. Mr..
Voorhees, gave notice that he would at
ONE future time call up the resolution
nd address the Senate thereon. His
peeches are always worth listening to.
A deluge of Federal election bills have
lready been introduced in the Senate.
t is safe to predict that none of them
will ever pass the House.
Speaker Reed has annOuced the House
on rules, accounts and en-
oiled bills. 1t is not thought that the
list of committees will be COM
leted before the holiday recess. The
Democratic members of the committee
n Rules are ex-Speakers Carlisle and
The Civil Service law seems in a fair
vay to catch it from both parties in the
enate. Senator Vance has introduced
bill for its repeal, and Senator Pad
ock one removing the Railway Mail
ervice from its jurisdiction. Both
entlemen state that the law is hum
ug, and that its stright enforcement
1ould be directly in opposition to our
yhOle system Of Government. When
wo men usually as far apart as these
wo agree, there IS food for thought in
he subject of agreement.
Ex-Speaker Carlisle takes back his
Id place of Democratic leader on the
oor Of the House, with as much ease
nd grace as he laid it down to accept
ne Speakership. No man ever had a
jronger hold on his party associates in
congress than Mr.. Carlisle has.
The President and Vice President are
1 Chicago. They both expect to re-
lrn in time to hear Chief Justice Full ;
IRIS address to Congress Wednesday,
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