Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-02-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
TRrOm our regular corespODdsDt.I
WASHINGTON d. c., Feb. II, 1890.

lErom our regular CoHeepOpueDt
WASHINGTON. d. c., Feb. IL, 1890.
Ex-Speaker Carlisle and Randall
have ably presented their case In the
minority report on the code of Rules,
which Mr.. Carlisle by his parliamenta-
ry adroitness compelled the Republi-
can majority of the House committee
on Rules to report much sooner than
they had intended. Itsays of the clause
in the proposed Rules authorizing the
Speaker to count members not voting
to make quorum: "This is the most
radical. and in our opinion, the most
dangerous innovation proposed by the
majority. If agreed to, the personal
and property rights of the citizens, pro-
tected heretofore by laws enacted by
the votes Of majority, may be i'm
paired or destroyed by the votes of a
mere fraction of the members of Con-
gress xxx. In the same way enormous
sums of money may te appropriated
from the public treasury for the most
unconstitutional and improper pur-
poses XXX. Any rule or practice
which enables the Speaker or the Clerk
to pass bills by counting members
present and not voting will inevitably
result in destroying the confidence OF
the people in the integrity Of legislation
XXX"
The Rules were called up in the House
to-day and nothing else is to be done
until they are disposed Of Just when
that will be connot 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 programe will be vigorously re-
sisted by the Democrats, who insist
upon ample time being given for full
free discussion. They have taken this
stand, not because they expect to de-
defeat the adoption of the rules, but tha,
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 public
buildings in Washing has been much
talked of in both ends of the Capitol.
since Senator Morrill, brought out the
fact that $l2l 200 year was being paid
out by the Government for rents in this
city, and that owing to the overcrowded
condition of the Government buildings
the amount was continuously increas-
ing. The sentiment in Congress seems
to be in favor of erecting the buildings
necessary to carry on the business of
the Government, and it probable that
early action will be taken in the mat
ter. 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 a happy family
just now. Senator Edmunds threatens
to resign from the Senate Committee
on Foreign Affairs because a 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 baliot-box
forgeries still go merrily on, but it is
expected that this week will end them.
Whatever the committee may do, the
impartial public has convicted Fora ker
and Halstead of trying to destroy a
mans good name with a paper 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 hope of getting part
of the spoils. This is the way the mat
ter strikes Representative Crisp, of
Georgia, one of the most clear-headed
men in the House: "When you con-
slider the propositions for immense ex-
penditures of public money that are
being urged upon this Congress, an d
that these Rules make the way clear
for them, you do not have to be a
prophet to see that the money asked
for by Congress is apt to overbalance
that held at the Treasury.
The Democrats are taking the pre.
iiminary steps towards winning Con-
gressional campaign this year. Repre-
sentative Flower, of New York, has
been elected temporary secretary of the
Congressional Campaign committee.
Great pressure is being brought to bear
on Senator German to accept the per-
manent craftsmanship of this commit
tee.
Bob Ingersoll who is here, indorses
Speaker Reed, but then it must he re-
membered that Ingersoll, like Reed,
does not believe in a hereafter.
The Presidential proclamation OPEN
ing the Sioux Indian reservation to set
tlement was issued to-day.