Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1890-08-28
AFFAIRS AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Little Chance for both the Elections and
Tariff Bills this Session. Calling in
More Observation-Disclosures get
Hearing.


More Observation-Disclosures get a
Hearing.
From our Regular Correspondent
Washington, d. c., Aug. %.
Can the Federal Election bill and the
Tariff bill both be passed by the Senate
at this session? Senator Quay thinks
that one or the other is bound to be sac
riticed; hence his resolution to drop the
Election bill until next winter. About
three-fourths of the Republican Senators
differ with Mr.. Quay, believing that both
bills can easily be passed if the majority
of the Senate will only agree to change
the rules so as to limit debate; but there
is where the trouble comes in. A num-
Der of the Republican Senators have up
to this time refused to vote to change
the rules.
Senator Quay's resolution prescribing
the legislation to be acted upon at this
session and setting the 30th inst to begin
voting upon the tariff bill and amend
ments, was taken up in the Senate the
other day, and Senator Hoar offered as
substitute a. resolution authorizing a
change in the rules so that "when any
bill or resolution shall have been under
consideration for reasonable time = it
shall be in order for any Senator to de-
mand that debate thereon be closed. He
also amended Mr. Quay's resolution by
adding the Federal Election bill to the
measures to be acted upon, and providing
that it shall be voted upon September
4th. Mr.. Hoar then delivered very
strong speech in favor of the Federal
Election bill, and showing that the meas
ure had been grossly misrepresented for
the purpose of stirring up sectional
strife. He quoted from a report made
by the late 5. S. Cox strongly commend
ing the United States law under which
congressman are elected in New York,
and asked what was the objection to pass
ing a similar law for the entire country.
He called attention to the fact, which
some gentlemen seem to have completely
forgotten. that the Republican party had
time after time promised that such a law
should be enacted, and quoted from Pres
ident HarrisOn's inaugural address and
from his first annual message, from Pres
ident Hayes second annual message,
from President Garfield's inaugural ad-
dress, and from the Republican national
platforms of 1884 and 1888.
Senator Aldrich refused to allow the
tariff bill to be laid aside for the purpose
of continuing debate on the Quay resolu-
ton, so that only the '.morning hour
which is now from 10 to II O'Clock, will
be occupied by that debate, the length
of which is prOblematical. Senator Ed
minds is deeply interested in it, and he
evidently expects the debate to last some
time, as he left last week on a six-day
leave of absence. Many shrewd observ-
ers do not believe that the resolution will
ever be voted upon; they think a COM
promise programme of some sort will be
agreed upon by the Republican Senators.
Something should be done, and that
speedily. The present state of affairs is
certainly bad politics.
A very pleasant incident occurred at
the White House the 20th inst, Just be-
fore the President left for Cape May
Point to celebrate his fifty-seventh BIRTH
day The California delegation in con-
gress waited on the President, and on
behalf of the California Pioneers and the
Native Sons of the Golden West, pre-
sented him an invitation, engraved on a
plate of solid gold, to participate in the
celebration of the fortieth anniversary of
the admission of California into the Un-
ion. Mr.. Harrison in short address re-
gretted that he could not visit California
this year, and said he hoped to do so
next year. He also mentioned the coin
cidence of his receiving the handsome
souvenir on his birthday.
Secretary Window has issued circu-
lar offering to redeem Sl5,000,000 of the
1-2 per cent bonds which will mature
Sept. lst, 1891, paying par and interest
therefor. This is in addition to the reg
ular purchase of bonds which is con-
stantly going on. How does this tally
with the Democratic statement that the
treasury is bankrupt.
The House committee on Agriculture
drew legislative prize, last week. when
the committee on rules reported a resOlu-
ton setting aside several days for the
consideration of bills from that commit
tee. The Senate bill providing aid for
agricultural colleges, and the bill for the
inspection of meats for expectation were
passed. Saturday the bill defining lard
was taken up and disposed of. and on
Tuesday the bill prohibiting dealing in
options is to be taken up, and Wednes-
day afternoon it will be voted upon.
The announcement as to what the Re-
publicans of the House propose doing in
the event of the refusal of the Senate to
act on the Election bill, is premature.
The Republicans of the House will wait
to see what the Senate proposes doing.
There is no occasion for hurrying.
Chairman Dunnell of the House census
committee is already at work upon the
new congressional appOrtionment bill;
but it is not expected that it will be re-
ported this session.