Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-12-18
c ounty Official Paper
WASHINGTON LETTER,
(From Our Regular Correspondent.)

will be an exciting one. The upturn-
ing Of the late election has had the
effect Of largely disturbing the politi-
cal status quo, and although the dom
inant party has been seriously weak
ened,. the minority, or Democratic
party, is confronted with a majority
in the Fifty-second Congress which
may provo too bulky to manage. The
experience Of trained politicians, no
matter what party, causes them to
subscribe to the view that it is always
safer, not only in political but in q
national sense, to promote legislation
by close majority. Members of Con-
gress are very much like sheep; they
must be "close-herded" in order to
keep them in line with their respect
i've parties.
At this juncture, speculation is rife
as to the probable result of the action
OF the Senate in taking up and press
ing consideration OF the Federal EIec-
tions bill as the initial measure of
the session. While the prediction is
freely made that the bill will pass
the Senate in an amended shape,
which will carry it back to the House
for concurrence, it is by no means i'm
probable that many members who
voted for the lodge" bill in it's orig
iual passage, would be disinclined to
repeat the performance. The coudi-
tions have changed materially since
the lodge" bill passed the House,
and there is therefore a m anifest dis
position to become conservative on
this issue, especially among those
statesmen who suffered sacrifice ut
the November election.
Postmaster General Wanamal5er is
exceedingly anxious to press consider
alton Of his Postal telegraph bill at the
present session, but it seems, often as
this proposition has been advanced
during the past ten or more years;
that the prospect Of securing cheaper
telegraphy through Government in
PREVENTION is as remote as ever. While
very large majority Of not only the
present but the past Congresses are
undoubtedly in favor of o postal tele-
graph, which would afford the public
the opportunity of corresponding by
telegraph in lieu Of through the long
or methods Of the mails, square vote
on the main proposition has never
been reached in both branches. The
telegraph corporations manage, some
how or other, to choke down all meas
nres proposed for governmental con-
troll Of the telegraph.
In view of the immense political
power developed by the Farmers Al;
lance ut the recent election, and the
pronounced declarations Of that or
ganization in favor Of the free coinage
OF silver, the impression is widespread
at the National Capital that, notwith-
standing the opposition Of the advo-
Gates OF the gold standard, Congress
will be forced by tho inexorable logic
Of events to pass some sort of free
coinage bill. Already score Of free
coinage bills have been presented in
both branches, and things in this be.
half bear the complexion of awaiting
only what features of a silver coinage
bill can be agreed upon that will
prove satisfactory to the people, es-
pccally the communities OF the West.
Again, az our bonds mature, or are
called for purchase, the National Bank
circulation secured by these bonds,
must be retired, and some provision
becomes necessary to fill the gap. The
problem how to supply this coming
deficiency in circulating medium is
,hedged with many embarassments,
bnt it 10 one which must be solved
either In whole or In part, by the
Present Congress. .'.