The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-08-13
WASHINGTON w LETTER.

WASHINGTON. d. C.. August 8, .s9O.
Mr. Harrison will tomorrow leave for Boston
where he hopes to make himself solid with the
G A. r. at its annual encampment. But per-
haps gentleman named Alger may have
something to say about that. Several members
of the Cabinet will go along to help their chief
The River and Harbor bill. by previous agree
ment. displaced the tariff bill in the Senate to.
day.
Speaker Reed will have many things to ac-
count for in the general day of reckoning which
comes 10 all men; but if he persists in his eff
forts to prevent an appropriation being made
to erect new Government printing office, and
an accident occurs, and il is liable any time, in
the present death trap resulting in the loss of
many precious lives, that will be the most ter
rible of all. The old building now used has
been pronounced dangerous to health and life
by every competent architect who has examin-
ed it. and there have been number of them;
its floors settle as much as three inches when
heavily loaded, as they are almost constantly;
base balls into, and the whole structure shakes
and shivers at every revolution of the ma
chinery, and yet more than 1000 men and
women. engaged in working for this great and
wealthy government, are compelled to take
their lives in their hands by working daily in
this building. The Senate passed an amend
ment to an appropriation bill providing for
new building; but by order of Speaker Reed
the House refused to concur.
1he subject of most interest before the lower
mouse of Congress at present is the code of
Rules for the government of that body,
The reply of Mr.. Breckinridge to Gen Hen.
derson caused quite sensation in the House,
not only for what he SAID, but by his ability to
attract ones attention. He said that friction
between the Speaker and the members of the
House had been predicted when the new code
of Rules was adopted. He was not now sur
prised when the Speakers partiality was call
ed In question. But the true judgment of the
country would be. that however well the Rules
might produce political legislation. they had
failed as to that great domain of legislation
which lay outside of the fierce contest of party
They might carry through jug-handled tariff
bill, but they did not carry through the general
appropriation bills necessary for the sustenance
of the government The majority. under these
Rules, might put upon the statute books force
bill, iniquitous in its provisions an infamous
in its object; but it could not obtain the COM
mendation of the people for its action on the
general legislation of the government. The
force bill could not escape the fierce criticism of
the people, for on account of She absence of dis
cussion of all matters Of general Importance in
Congress there was necessity for discussion
elsewhere in the press. at the fireside and the
of the people. OF the bills which
had passed under the Rules of the House, few
had become laws, and few of those which had,
could, in his opinion, remain long upon the |
statute books.
There was great laughter in the House when |
ne contrasted the difference of the rulings by |
speaker Reed and those of Mr.. Carlisle and
Randall.
He said that he had no criticism to make up