Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-04-03


competition. As between the di-
vided interests of the men on the
western farm who will be relieved
of an extra tax on ready made
shoes while he trudges TO market
with a calls hide that will have
TO come into competition with the
paupcr hides of Europe, and the
clashing interests of the hide men
andt he shoe manufacturer, there
seems to be a chance for fine con-
eressional deliberation.
The pension appropriation bill, ,
involving the expenditure of $685.
5e9, 600, passed the house on Fri
day. There was no attempt at
opposition further than a few re-
marks about the crying need of re-
form in the pension bureau and 4
few words from Mr.. Allen, mildly
protesting against the growth Of
the pension system But there
were more political stump speeches
than the house has heard for many
a day. The entire gamut Of pen
sion legislation was sounded
General Grosvenor, who can be
always trusted for extremely par
tizan speeches, led off for the re-
publicans, while General Spinola
took upon himself the task of
showing that the democratic par
ty was the only and original, ST.
mon-pure, all wool friend of the
soldier. Then the debate degen-
Grated into a free fight, in which
the combatants were badly disfig-
ursd. General Spinola lost his
temper, and wound up by reading
letter from Kansas to the effect
that prohibition and the republi-
can administration were failures
in that state. What bearing the
missive had upon the pension bill
he did not say and the question is
still unsolved.
The house committee on the al
coholic liquor traffic will favora-
bly, report a bill providing for the
appointment Of FIVE commission
ers by the president, who shall
hold Office not longer than two
years. The bill is rather hazy as
to the exact duties of this commits
sioner, aside from inquiry into
the general character of intemper-
ance. In a general way it is ask
ed TO ascertain first, whether or
not intemperance is an evil in this
country, and second, how it can
best be restrained. The inquiry
on the first point belongs properly
to the census bureau, if anywhere.
The second inquiry may be Of
some benefit.
Senators Stanford and Sherman
jostled each other in the debate on
public buildings Saturday. Sena-
tor Sherman objected to giving
San Diego $500. 600 for a public
building, while Dayton, Ohio, on
" asked for sIOO,OcO. Senatc-
Stanford admitted that the towns
were about the same size, but add
ed that the building in San Diego |
would contain, besides the post !
Office, the custom houses, in
ternal revenue Office and land Of 4
fee. The Ohio senator was not |
exactly satisfied but the bill went |
through all the same.
After occupying a large part OF
the time Of the senate ever since |
December, the Blair educational
bill has been finally buried by a
vote that makes its resurrection
during the present session impos-
sible. The Blair bill has been a
gigantic monument to bnncOme for
the last eight years. Apart from
Senator Blair. who is a fond parent
10 every child of his legislative
iancy, the bill has had very few
real friends among the republican
leaders. It's doubtful constitution
llity and its unwieldy and visiona-
y provisions long since condemn
ID it. Still so long as there was
democratic house and a democrat
C president, :he senate cheerfully
md readily passed it. Now that
he entire administration is repub-
ican the republican senate diScov-
rs u change OF heart, the bill is
Ibandoned and after his eighth ,
days speech, Senator
Blair finds himself alone and with ,
he empty bag to hold. The rest
f the boys ran away and left him.
The windy bill that was a good
rough measure with which to try
o charm the neutral voters Of the
,Oorer districts of the south was
lot good enough TO be made a law,
Then the time came that the unit