The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-10-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON. u. c.. Sept. 26. 1890.
might makes right" has always been the
motto of the Republican party. But it has
never so openly lived up to the brigandish theo-
ry as during this session of Congress, and the
action Of the majority of the House this week
has been more revolutionary than ever before,
When, after a three weeks struggle the Repub-
licans succeeded in mastering quorum of their
own, it was of course expected that they would
seat the negro contestant, Langston, whose case
has been pending for more than two weeks; but
that they would attempt to seat negro number
two without having given any previous notice
of any intention to call up the case, and with
out allowing one word Of argument. no one out
side of those in the plot had the remotest idea.
Well, that is exactly what was done. The
Speaker ordered the South Carolina contested
of Miller VS.. Elliott to be called up. and in
exactly thirteen minutes the House had unseat-
ed Col. Elliott and given his seat to the negro
Miller. Several Republicans, notably Repre-
sentative Kerr. of Iowa. tried to persuade the
Speaker to allow both sides to be heard before
taking vote. but the Republicans hooted them
down and proceeded to consummate the legisla-
tive disgrace. Privately, Republicans apollo
gizing for their unseemly haste. say that they
feared they could not hold the quorum for any
length Of time.
ence. and while in some respects it is better
than it was as passed by the Senate, it is on the
whole the most atrocious piece of tariff legisla-
tfon ever conceived by the Republican party,
and that is saying great deal. 1t was only by
the use of the party whip that an agreement
was reached in conference, AMI about one fourth
of the Republicans privately curse the bill.
which they say robs their constituents, but
when vote is taken every one of these men
will be found smilingly voting for the bill as
reported from the conference. There has been
considerable talk about the Democrats in the
Senate taking advantage of the rules of that
body to debate the report on the tariff bill until
the first week in November in order to prevent
the calling of an extra session for the purpose
of passing the Force bill. but Eo such program
has yet been agreed upon. although in certain
contingencies it may be done. Anything would
be excusable and allowable to beat the Force
bill.
Mr.. Morton, the gentleman who pre.ides over
the Senate when he has nothing more pressing
to do. seems to be q little slow in keeping up
with the news procession. In spite of the fact
that nine-tenths of the papers in the United
States, aside from the cringing Republican or
gans. last winter printed something about the
bar-room in Mr.. Morton's new hotel here, then
just opened, and that the w C. T. u. in national
convention assembled, passed resolution CEN
suring him for selling liquor by the drink, he
this week naiyely announced that he had just
discovered that drinks were sold in his hotel,
and at the same time he announced that he had
at once ordered the sale stopped. If were not
for the honorable position he holds. 1 should be
inclined to call Mr.. Morton hypocrite.
The Senate has amended and passed the bill
intended to make the U. 8. Courts part of the
machinery of the Republican party. although
ostensibly its object is to define and regulate
the Jurisdiction of the U. s. Courts.
There are now three negroes sitting as mem
bers of the House of Representatives TIVE pA
them in stolen seats.
The season for booming summer resorts being
about over, and that for winter resorts being
not yet open, Mr.. Harrison and his family re-
turned to Washington.
It has been decided by the House committee
on the Judiciary to make a favorable report on
the bill, which has already passed the Senate.
forfeiting the property of the Mormon Church
There is a screw loose in the Raum vindica-
tion, and one of the Republican members of the
committee is said to be opposed to the proposed
yhitewashing. He is being argued {" with;
hence the delay in making the report.
The House has voted without division to
expunge the speech wherein Mr.. Kennedy call
ed Senator Quay modern Judas Iscariot and
felon, from the Record, and Mr.. Kennedy made
another speech stating that he was glad he
made the first one. and that he still stood by his
original language. Mr.. Quay has been SO busy
trying to save his nominee for the governship
OF Pennsylvania from defeat that he hasn't had
time to give the public his opinion.
Representative Flower doesn't seem to be |
worrying over the adverse criticisms of his |
management of the Democratic Congressional |
campaign. He says wait until the returns are |
in and see the results of the committees work.