The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-12-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. D. c.. Dec. 10. 1899.


Senator Paddock who. like some of the other
Republican Senators from the north west. has
mind of his own as to how he shall vote and
who values tae interests OF his constituents
atoye caucus degrees. gave Mr.. Harrison bad
turn when that gentleman attempted to bull
doze the doughty Nebraskan into voting for the
Force bill. by telling him plainly that he was
very decidedly opposed to the measure and
would certainly vote against it. Mr.. Harrison
then made an Intellectual effort to get Mr. Pad
dock to promise that he would absent himself
when the vote was taken.
As last resort to get the Republican Sena-
tors into line, Mr.. Harrison is said to have
stated to several of them that he would consid-
er the defeat of the Force bill an intimation
that they did not wish him to be candidate
for a denomination in '92. That is a very dan
gerous argument for Mr.. Harrison to use and 1t
will probably result in making more votes
against the bill than in it's favor for it is doubt
full whether there is a half dozen Republican
Senators who are sincerely in favor of giving
Mr. Harrison another nomination.
A Republican caucus has voted to change the
rules of the Senate in order to push the Force
bill through. The program is to debate the bill
the rest cf this week. then TO take up the new
silver bill approved by the same caucus. and
pass 1t in its present condition. if the wicked
Democrats do not succeed in substituting free
coinage therefor; afterwards the change Of
rules is to be adopted. If enough Republicans
can be persuaded to vote for it.
The rumor is again current here. and gener-
ally believed to be true, that Mr.. Harrison has
fully made up his mind that Commissioner
Raum is a heavier load than he cares to carry.
He will ask for Raum's resignation. 1t is said.
ktoh is
tending to investigate the pension Office. makes
its report which will probably not be until
after the holidays.
The House expects to vote on the substitute
for the Senate subsidy shipping bills tomorrow.
This substitute is sort of combination of the
subsidy and bounty features of the other two
bills which has been concocted by the RepHb-
licans of the House committee on merchant
marine, in order to compel certain Republicans
who favored subsidizing steamship lines, but
opposed the bounty BILL to vote for both. The
Republicans claim that it is certain to pass.
An attempt will be made by Democratic mem-
bers to attach an amendment providing for free
ships to the BILL and 1t may succeed as mum.
Der of Republicans are believed to be willing
to support it.
Representative Pierce. of Tennessee, a men,
Der of the Farmers Alliance. has introduced in
the House a resolution instructing the commit
tee on Ways and Means to report the Sub
Treasury bill not later than Monday, j an 9Th
and fixing the following Monday tor its consid-
Grafton.
Representative Mills has Introduced resolu-
tion providing for a recess from Dec. % to Jan.
s, and 1t has been referred to the committee on
Ways and Means. 1t is not believed that the
Republicans will agree to such a lengthy re-
cess. In fact Senatorial caucus said there
would be none.
Representative Wilson. of Washington who
took part in one of the notorious slugging
matches on the floor of the House at the last
session, came very near to having another one
with Representative Milliken, of Maine, whom
he accused of having turned down" his bill for
pubic building at Spokane Falls Milliken
called him q liar and Wilson started for him in
regular pugilistic attitude, when a friend
grabbed him and Mr.. Milliken made hssty
exit from the Speakers lobby, where they had
met There may be more of it, as Wilson is
known anon g his friends as fighter
While the apportionment bill. which passed
this week, was under discussion in the House
the Democrats paid their respects to Secretary
Noble, Superintendent Porter and the faulty
census upon which the bill is based If the
census was correct one. which it was not. the
bill would be as fair as could be expected.
A joint Congressional committee will under
take next week to make some of the gentlemen
concerned tell something about the buying of
American Industries by foreign syndicates. If
they ID tell what they know it would be inter-
esting.
Mr.. Wauamaker has succeeded in getting the
House committee on post Offices to report q
resolution to the House setting aside January 6
for the consideration of the postal telegraph
bill. He doesn't seem to be worrying any to
get a one cent letter postage bill through.
The National Citizens ALI snce. which is in
tended to be q twin brother to the Farmers AL
lance. is to have headquarters and q newspaper
in this city.