Mower County transcript., 1890-12-10
WASHINGTON Letter.
From our regular Correspondent

VAsdlNGTON, u. ~. D0C. D, lS0U.-
Senator Cullom has introduced q bill
for the reduction of letter postage to one
cent. and it has been referred to the
senate committee on post offices and post
roads. This IS no buncOmb measure.
The senator Is IN earnest and he proposes,
If 1t be possible. to have the bill voted
upon at the present session, and, owing
to the rapidly growing public sentiment
in favor OF one cent letter postage there
is little doubt OF its passage, If it IS voted
upon.
The know-it.all gentlemen who have
for several months been telling the
country that the Federal election bill was
dead, must have experienced some cha.
grin when the Republican senators voted
ysolidly to take up this bill and to continue
its consideration to the exclusion Of all
other business (after the morning hour'')
until it is disposed Of. Senator Hoar
says that he is confident that the bill will
finally pass before the first of January,
but that it will be the cause of one of the
sharpest and most determined struggles
ever waged in Congress- He hopes that
the Democrats will see the wisdom of
acquiescing without resorting to tilitus-
tering. But there is little probability
that such will be the case. The bill can
never be passed by the senate until the
rules of that body are changed to limit
debate, and that change, which can only
be made by the united and persistent
efforts of the Republican majority, will
be opposed by all the parliamentary
methods known to the Democratic
minority. One scheme of the Democrats
has already been made public, whereby
they hope to defeat the election bill. It
is to offer us substitute to that portion
of the bill after the enacting clause, bill
for the free coinage Of silver.
There are several reasons. however,
why this scheme is almost certain to fail.
The principal of which is the idea that
has in some way become general around
the Capitol that the President will veto q
free coinage bill If Congress passes one.
This idea of veto has not deferred
Senators Plumb and Teller and number
of representatives from introducing bills
providing for the free coinage of silver,
and Mr.. Teller said today that he felt
perfectly confident that some one Of these
bills will be passed by the senate ut the
present session. OF the action of the
house he is not confident. There are
radical differences in these bills. For
instance, Senator Plumb's bill provides
for double unit of value "a dollar of 412
and grains standard silver or 25.6
grains of gold) OF full legal tender quality,
while Senator Teller's bill fixes the weight
of q silvor dollar at 400 grains of silver
and contains no further addition to
existing law for the coinage of silver, and
contains no further addition to existing
law for the coinage of bullion received
q: the mints.
Senator Ingalls, has introduced joint
resolution to appropriate q sum of money
to purchase seeds to be distributed gratis
among the citizens of Kansas and
Nebraska suffering from the effects OF
the recent drought.
Senator Manderson has presented q
petition which offers the most practical
solution of the Indian problem We,
presented. 1t asks that the Indians be
deprived of their horses and that the
government issue to them in lieu thereof
working oxen. Speaking of this matter
Senator Manderson said; IAN Indian
cannot fight very much if mounted upon
an OK, but he cao plow all he wants TO.
We have been giving these Indians ponies
for farm work. but they have never used
them except as saddle animals. The
fractions tribes is necessary and should
be accomplished at once. An Indian
believes his highest mission to be the
killing OF a fellow being; white man
preferred" A resolution has beer
adopted by the senate calling upon the
Secretary. Of War for information as to
what steps have been taken towards
disarming the Indians.
70 in Vxyst thn
Brazilian naval officers who have been
visiting Washington, occupied the diplo
matte galleries of the house and senate
for an hour or two on Tuesday.
The Presidents message made won
derful impression upon Congress. not
withstandtng it contained no new
recommendations. 1t dealt with the
political situation in dignified, straight
forward manner that could not fail to
command the respect of friend and foe
alike, and it has s0lidified the Republicans
in Congress as nothing else could have
done in so short time.
The house got right down to work In a
buslness-like way that promises we'll for
the session, although there is not yet a
Republican quorum present. 1t passed
the International cOpywright bill, al.
though a day was wasted by its oppo-
nents by f1libustering against 1t. Work
on the appropriation bills is being rapidly
pushed, and one of them-pensions-h
already been reported from committee.
The census committee is working hard to
perfect the apportionment bill, which is
certain to become law at this session,
Democratic reports to the contrary
Notwithstanding.
Obituary.
Died, at Brownsdale, Noy. 80, j. F.
Tompkins, in the 83rd year of his age.
Mr.. Tompkins was born in Oneida county,
N. Y, Jan. 2, 1928. The funeral was
preached by Rev. Fl. q. Galbraith.
He leaves wife and two sons, and
many friends to mourn his loss. He was
buried by the Masonic fraternity. OF
which he was an honored member, and
also q member of the order of Eastern
Star. The following resolutions were
adopted by Lafayette Lodge, No. 118, A.
F. and A. M: ~
whereas, 1t has pleased the Grand Master
Of the unlveree to remove from our midst
Brother J. +. TOmpkins, who departed this
life the 18th day Of November. 1890, In the 63rd
years standing, Joining Lafayette Lodge on
Demit. III: 49, b.
Resolved. By Lafayette Lodg &c No. 1l8, A.
r. and A. M, that In the death Of cur late
brother, We have lost most worthy and use.
ful member, and 4 faithful and efficient