The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-08-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. August 2i, 1890.
Senator Quay's resolution setting aside the
Force bill and naming date to begin voting
upon the tariff bill. has brought about a condi-
tion of affairs among the republicans in the
Senate not unlike that which existed when the
late Roscoe ConkIing nd "me too' Platt re-
signed their seats in the Senate. There is
three-cornered fight in the republican ranks,
which was first shown when Senator Frye, re-
ferring to Senator Edmunds and the other re-
publicans who early in the summer refused to
sanction a change in the rules of the Senate to
cut off debate, said 81 do not place the re-
sponsibility for the defeat of the Election bill
on Senators who are now proposing that the bill
shall be postponed, place it on those Senators
who declared in republican conference held
earlier in the session that they would not sup
port rule for previous gu stion. Cowardice
never yet won battle and never yet retained a
friend" Senator Edmunds replied in the same
tone, comparing Mr. Frye to highway robber.
Senator Hoar delivered a long speech, princi-
pally devoted to explaining the force bill and
apologizing for bringing it forward. He gave
Senator Quay several sharp raps in the course
of his remarks; but Mr.. Quay paid not the
slightest attention to him. Mr. Hoar offered a
| substitute for the Quay resolution. which in
cludes the original gag rule that was endorsed
| by the republican caucus some weeks ago. and
in addition provides that the Force bill shall be
voted upon September 4. So much for the con-
dition of things on the republican side.
Senator German has the democrats well In
hand and what they propose doing or how they
will vote upon the Quay resolution. should ii
| ever reach a vote. is known only to themselves.
They have been too well aware of the political
advantages which the discussion Of the tariff
bill has given them to fall into trap set by Mr.
Quay and promise to wind up that debate on
the 30th inst, when three-fourths OF the bill mas
not vet been touched. That would be too great
price to pay for nothing. and that is all that
Mr. Quay has to offer. The adoption of his res
olution would kill the Force bill for the present
session officially; but it has been unoficiallJ
dead for all time ever since the republican eau
| Gus refused to adopt the gag law necessary fol
its passage.
| The most radical members of the republican
party in the House have entered into an agree
ment to prevent the consideration of the Senate
amendments to the tariff bill rntil the Senate
passes the election bill. 1t would not be very
| surprising if the Senate should conclude t
abandon the tariff bill entirely as party meas
ure and let it go over until next winter.
The investigation by special House commit
tee of Mr.. Cooper's charges against the Com
missioner of Pensions was begun today, anC
Mr.. Cooper proposes TO see that all the damag
ing facts are brought out, so that the coat o
white wash which the majority of the commit
tee has already prepared to apply shall not pre-
vent the public from seeing matters as the
actually are. Good for Mr.. Cooper!
Mr.. Reed continues to ignore the committe
on Labor, which wants very much to have sew
eral bills which it has repored. acted upor
One of these days the laborers will get an sp
portunity to ignore the Speaker. and they'll d
it.
Senator Carlisle characterizes the arrange
ment of the wire schedule of the tariff bill as be
ing an insidious and indirect way of increasin
duties. Senator Mcpherson. ironically, say
that the Finance committee should not be hel
responsible for bill which has been made u
by the benefciaries themselves and only hand
ed to the committee for the purpose of havin
it explained to the country and defended in th
Senate.
The House has passed the bill to inspect ffes
meats intended for importation; also bill e1
tending aid to agricultural colleges. The com
pound lard bill is to be voted on Saturday, an
that prohibiting dealing in options and future
next Wednesday
The bill exempting mining lands from tn
provisions of the alien land law has been b
vote of the House laid ON the table.
The River and Harbor bill has gone to a cor
ference committee.
Mr., Harrison and almost his entire cabint
have gone away. They left for fear of bein
dragged into the Senatorial fight. They wi
have to return before the fight is ended.
The Congressional Campaign committee
beginning to hustle things little Arrange
ments will be made to specially look after a
districts which gave less than thousand ma
jority either way at the last election.