Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-06-19
Washington Letter.


WASHINGTON, d. &. June o 1890
The President and his family returned
to the city to-day from three days trip TO
Chesapeake Bay, where they went on the
| ), ), Dispatch for short rest
Speaker Reed has again displayed his
ability a. a statesman In 4 most marked
manner. and there are few men now in
public life who would have had the cour-
age to risk as much as failure would
have Cost him in this case. A short time
ago the Republican House caucus endorsed
the Window silver bill and It was reported
10 the House There were quite a number
of Republicans wh0 were opposed to certain
features Of this bill, and IN Difference to
them another caucus was called last week
to consider The question. At that caucus
Representative Mckinley, who is an able
lieutenant 20 Mr.. Reed, proposed new
Silver bill a. q compromise aud 1t was ac
cepted BY the caucus, although there were
sun a few Republicans who were not en-
Reed called meeting Of the committee on
rules and rule was adopted To call up
the new silver bill al once and fixing upon
Saturday afternoon at 3 O'Clock as the time
for taking vote upon it. This went
through with rush in spite Of the kick
my of the Democrats who saw all their
hopes OF Republican split upon the silver
question vanish into nothingnc-s. Satur-
day afternoon the bill was promptly passed
and another diamond was added TO Mr.
Reeds already brilliant diadem. a. a party
leader.
The Senate finance committee j. working
steadily upon the Mckinley tariff bill but no
one now expects that il will be reported to
the Senate much before July.
The Jones silver bill has lately received
some very hard knocks from Republican
Senators Mr. Morrill, led OF with speech
in opposition and he was followed by SEN
ators Sherman and IIiscock and neither Of
them minced words in opposing the meas
ure. Senator Plumb defended the bill.
Representative Cooper nf Indiana, has
presented in the House a resolution direct
ing the committee on pensions to inve,u-
gate certain newspaper charges against
Commissioner Raum. The charges are
that Gen. Raum has compelled employees Of
the pension office TO buy stock IN a corpor-
alton lib which he is Interested and that he
has favored a certain firm OF pension at
torncy~ here In the business of bis Office.
The whole thing is simply Democratic
attempt To manufacture political ammuni-
tion To be used in the coming Congression-
al campaign and there is not the slightest
proof in existence Of the absurd charges.
Some of the Senators who are decidedly
opposed to staying in Washington all sum
mer are talking up the idea Of taking re-
cess from early in July to october. The
idea meets with no favor on the House
side
1t is now apparent that there IS a de-
fciency of Sc ,Ooo, 900 In the pension appro-
pration for the fiscal year ending with
| this month. No appropriation will be
made at the present session of Congress
to meet this. 1t will be paid out of the
regular appropriation which becomes avail
able July /, and Will be provided for at
the next session of Congress.
1t is expected that the river and harbor
bill will be reported to the Senate this
week.
The President vetoed bill for public
building at Hudson. New York, because he
did not think it was needed. He is giving
the log rollers in Congress some rather
strong hints.
A very funny incident occurred during
the debate on the silver bill in the House.
Mr.. Walker of Massachusetts, was max
! ing a speech and he got so warmed up that
he, seemingly unconscious, removed his
| coat and finished in his shirt sleeves, to the
galleries. 1t was probably the first time
that Congressman ever made speech
| in the House in that condition, and it will
not be forgotten soon.
StuhlOT VI oltgOu, Cduscu u
| shiver to run down the spines of those
conservative old Senators who think that
statesmen should wear nothing but black,
by appearing on the floor of the Senate
| Saturday in natty suit of white flannel.
| He did not look very dlgnhed but with the
thermometer dancing around ninety he
looked very comfortable, and probably
! felt so.
The prohibit onists are to be given a
| joint hearing by the Senate and House
committees next Saturday on the joint
resolution providing for a prohibition
amendment to the constitution of the Unit
ed States.
,fhe Republican Senators are to hold a
caucus tomorrow evening to decide upon
a successor to Sergeant-at- Arms Canaday,
whose resignation is to take effect July l.
Senator Quay has returned to Washing
ton from fishing trip, but nobody has
heard him tell any fish stories. His exam
| Pile might be followed by other people who
go fishing.