Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-02-13
THE NORTHWEST
WASHINGTON LETTER.
fHrom our REGULAR cOrrespopdept.I


WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 8, 1890.
The great Congressional fight Is now
fairly on, and the Democratic members
Of the House are battling nobly for the
right of having a code of rules adopted
for the government of the House before
going any further with legislation, and
they have, In caucus, determined to
stand by their guns to the bitter end.
Of course they recognize the fact that II
the Republicans succeed in their ilten-
iion of seating all the Republican con-
testants before the rules are adopted
they can then adopt any sort of rules
they may desire, but they will have q
hard time before they do it. With all
Of Speaker Reeds unfair decisions 1t
took them three days to get the con-
tested elections case of Smith vs Jack
son before the House. The fight has
been very exciting, and the most dra-
matte scenes have been frequent on the
floor of the House "Stand by your
guns" is what ex-Speaker Randall
wrote from his sick room to the Demo-
cratic caucus. Representative Bynum,
Of Indiana, but voiced the sentiment of
his.Democratic colleagues when he said:
"You sir (pointing to the speaker) have
violated more than any man on this
aoor parliamentary rules and practice.
You may consumate what you have
undertaken. You have the power,
backed by mob on the floor of this
House XXX Men have tried to con-
sumate such proceedings before. At
the hour of midnight Federal judge
made ruling which perpetuated the
Republican party in power, but his
name Is now forgotten; and more than
that, this proceeding Is in keeping with
the practice of your party 1t is in keep
ing with your action when you stole
the Presidency. xxx You have gone
forward. You have usurped power
You have mutilated the record of the
House in order to carry out the be
hests of the Chairman of the Republi
the Representatives of the people
Now proceed in this matter; but in the
language of the immortal Emmett we
propose to dispute every inch of ground,
burn every blade of grass, and the last
Sntrenchment of Liberty shall be our
grave"
Ex-Speaker Carlisle is now engaged
In drawing up an address to the public
in Justification of the action of the
Democrats of the House in resisting
Speaker Reeds usurpation. There is
also talk ofmaking q test case in order
10 have the Supreme Court decide upon
the cOnstitutionality of Mr.. Reeds ac-
tions. su sflg
Many Republicans openly condemn
Speaker Reeds conduct, and at least
two members of the Cabinet-Blaine
and Rusk -are known to be opposed to
it. The Democratic Senators are aid
ing the members of the House in every
way possible. va .'l'.
The President and Secretary Noble
are greatly alarmed over the condition
Of affairs in Oklahoma and anxious that
immediate action shall be taken on the
Oklahoma town site bill, which has al
ready passed the House, also the bill
providing for a territorial form of gov
ernment for Oklahoma now pending in
both House and Senate. 81
1t is expected that the House COM
Mittee on Reform in the civil service
will to-day set date for beginning the
investigation of the civil service COM
commission.
Secretary Window Is said to be very
much chagrined at the opposition al
ready developed to his silver bill, and
Mr.. Harrison has become so badly
frightened at the outlook that he has
changed his mind about sending a
special message to Congress in its favor.
Secretary Rusk has received from
Europe a large consignment of silk
worm eggs. He will distribute them
free to oil persons desiring to raise silk
worms. He will also furnish books of
instruction In silk culture to applicants
for them. & #
Ex-senator Platt, Of New York, paid
Washington an unexpected visit last
week, and all the Republican politi-
clans are cudgelling their brains to dis
cover what brought him here.
Representative Dibble, of South Caro-
lima, has a bill before the House COM
mittee on the election of President and
Vice President which provides for two
Presidents. In arguing in favor
Of his bill Mr. Dibble stated that the
United States has been without Vice
President twenty-five years during its
enc hundred of existence.
Senator's Vance and Hampton spoke
on the race question last week In reply
to the recent speech of Senator ingalls,
on the same subject. Mr.. Vance was
the recipient of very handsome basket
Ofroses, attached to which, was a card
With the following inscription: ITO
the Hon. z. B. Vance, the honorable,
faithful and impartial defender of the
welfare of the sons of Ham, Z sass as
Representative McAdoo, of New Jer-
sey, thinks his resolutions providing
for the holding of Presidential and
Congressional elections on the third
Tuesday of October would accomplish
great good BY preventing national
elections from conflicting with local
elections. @'~ "'
= 4 Sad Warning to the Boys.