The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-02-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Republican Family in Congress Not a
Happy One.

The Republican Family in Congress Not q
Happy One.
From our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON, February 10.-Ex-
Speakers Carlisle and Randall have
ably presented their case in the mi
nority report on the code of rules,
which Mr.. Carlisle by his parliament
airy adroitness compelled the Repub-
lican majority of the house commit
tee on rules to report much sooner
than they had intended.
The rules were called up in the
house today and nothing else is to be
done until they are disposed of. Just
when that will be cannot be stated
yet. The Republicans seem inclined
to try to rush them through and to
have final vote taken not later than
Wednesday, but this programme will
be vigorously resisted by the Demo
clats, who insist upon ample time
being given for full and free discus
sion. They have taken this stand,
not because they expect to defeat the
adoption of the rules, but that they
may have an opportunity, through
the medium of speeches, to show up
every flaw in them so that the country
may place the responsibility where it
belongs.
The imperative need of more pub
lie buildings in Washington has been
much talked of in both ends of the
capitol, since Senator Morrill, brought
out the fact that 1921, 200 year was
being paid out by the government for
rents in this city, and that owing to
the overcrowded condition of the gov
eminent buildings the amount was
continuously increasing. The senti-
ment in congress seems to be in favor
of erecting the buildings necessary to
carry on the business of the govern
ment, and it is probable that early
action will be taken in the matter.
This is particularly necessary in the
case of the government printing Office,
a ramshacklety, unhealthy old rat-trap
which will some day fall down and kill
several hundred of its sardine-packed
occupants if it is not replaced by a
new building.
The Republicans in congress are a
long ways from being happy family
just now. Senator Edmunds threatens
to resign from the senate committee
on foreign affairs because resolution
of his was voted down in executive
session, while Senator Sherman, chair
man of the committee, chuckles and
says "let him 60" On the house side
there are oceans of trouble. Speaker
Reed is hopping mad because the Re-
publican caucus amended his code of
rules by adding clause making pen
sion legislation privileged at all times,
and he has intimated to Mr.. Carlisle
through third party that if Demo-
crat will move to strike out this clause
enough Republicans would vote with
him to do so.
The hearings in the Ohio ballot box
forgeries still 60 merrily on, but it is
expected that this week will end
them. Whatever the committee may
do the impartial public has convicted
Foraker and Halstead of trying to de-
stroy q mans good name with pa
per which they knew to be forged.
Belief that the new rules are to be
adopted by the house has brought a
swarm OF lobbyists of all descriptions
to Washington in the hope of getting
part of the spoils. This is the way
the matter strikes Representative
Crisp, of Georgia, one of the most
clear beaded men in the house :
"When you consider the propositions
for immense expenditures of public
money that are being urged upon this
congress, and that these rules make
the way clear for them, you do not
have to be prophet to see that the
money asked for by congress is apt to
overbalance that held in the treas
ury."
The Democrats are taking the pre-
liminary steps towards winning
congressional campaign this year.
Representative Flower, of New York,
has been elected temporary chairman
and Representative McRea, of Arkan-
sas, temporary secretary of the con-
gressional compaign com mittee.
Great pressure is being brought to
bear on Senator German to accept the
permanent Craftsmanship OF this COM
mittee.
Bob IngerGoll, who is here, indorses
Speaker Reed, but then it must be re-
membered that Ingersoll, like Reed,
does not believe in a hereafter.