Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-02-21
WHOLE NUMBER 1872.
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
Regular Correspondence of the Standard.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. 7, 1890.
Ex-Speaker Carlisle is the hero OF
the hour in Democratic circles, for
the able manner in which he has
compelled the majority of the House
Committee on Rules to act in report
ing the Code OF rules sooner than
they had intended. The new rules
are about as one-sided and unfair to
the minority as they could well be,
and give Speaker Reed almost as much
authority as he has exercised without
them. 1t took seYen hours to get a
majority vote in their favor from the
Republican caucus, and from all ac-
counts the discussion was at times |
extremely bitter. A Democratic eau
Gus also considered the rules reported, |
and although they regard them as so
many gag-laws, it was decided that if
the Republicans would allow a reason
able time for their debate, so that !
their injustice might be shown to the
country, no unusual obstacles would
be interposed by the Democrats to
prevent their adoption by the major
ity, as they only wish to put them
selves on record as protesting against
their adoption.
Economical men in Congress were
surprised to learn from speech of
Senator Morrill,, that owing to the
overcrowded condition of the public
buildings in Washington $121,7O
year is spent by the Government to
rent private buildings. The build
ings that are worst off are the White
House, the Patent Office, Postoffice
and Government Printing Office. The
last named is in deplorable condi-
ton, looked at from every standpoint.
1t is unhealthy and is in constant
danger from fire. There is a pretty
general agreement that it will be
cheaper to erect the necessary build
ings than to pay such large amount
for rents. Early action is expected in
Congress to relieve this unsatisfactory
state OF affairs.
The Republicans Of the House did
not dare to seat Smith, of West Vir-
ginia, until they had legal quorum
of their own members present TO vote
him in. Had they done otherwise the
Supreme Court would probably have
beer given an opportunity to pass on
the constitutionality of Mr.. Reeds
ruling in the matter OF quorum OF
the House. The fact that the Re-
publicans waited until they had a
quorum present to take the decisive
vote shows how little confidence they
have in the legal statue OF Mr.. Reeds
rulings.
Representative Mutchler, of Pennsyl-
vania, who is one of the shrewdest
Democrats in the House says Reeds
rulings have made it certainty that
the Democrats will have u good work
ing majority in the next House.
The United States Supreme Court
has decided that the test-oath clause
in the Constitution OF Idaho is con-
stitutional.
The Blair educational bill, which is
beginning to look hoary, was taken up
this week in the Senate. 1t will gel
through the Senate and it may get
through the House, but is doubtful.
Another re-rsted pension Office
ofiicial-First Deputy Commissioner
Hiram Smith-has gone. When asked
for his resignation he sent it in, and
thereby secured an extra month.
pay, resignation being accepted tG
take effect March 5th, and he LA:
been given leave OF absence to- thai
date. He was appointed last May.
A bill has heen introduced in the
) Senate to admit New Mexico An at
tempt was made to have the Senate
pass the bill providing for the organ
ization of Oklahoma Territory, this
week, but it failed, not because Of
opposition, but because precedence
was claimed for the Blair educational
bill.
| The Ohio ballot-box forgery inves
tigation was resumed this week
Among the most interested wi,nesse.
were Governor Campbell and Murat
Halstead. Ex-Governor Foraker at
tends every session of the committee
and seems to fully realize that he is on
trial.
Mr. Harrison did n2t attend the
Supreme Court Centennial in New
York on account of the sad bereav.
ment in the homes of two of his
cabinet members. DEN.
! PoRT Townsend will shortly be sup
piled with clear mountain water from
tina Little Quilcene river. A company