The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1891-12-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
our regular correspondent.
WASHINGTON, December ] /, Is


President Harrison's annual message
is, in spite OF its length, a well written
and interesting document, and no man
interested IN national affairs can afford
to skip a single paragraph therein.
There is, Of course, the usual difference
OF opinion as to those portions OF the
message treating on subjects which are
in dispute between the political parties.
That portion OF the message dealing
with foreign affairs, which may be sup
plenlented soon by a special message on
Gillian affairs, is generally commended
by congressman Of all parties for its Dig
nitied language and conservative stand.
The message recommends the passage Of
d bill lending the government endorse
nlent to the bonds OF the Nicaragua
canal company, and expresses the
opinion that the canal is OF sufficient
Importance to justify the direct appro-
priation 10y congress OF money sufficient
| TO build it, il it can be built in no other
way. This recommendation has oppo.
nents in all parJies, particularly in the
house OF representatives, and it is ex
tremely doubtful whether such bill car
be passed. 1t reiterates the statements
in the last message against free coinage
at this time, and asks that the present
silver law be let alone. This is also {
suggestion that will be warmly opposed
in both house and senate, by some OF al
parties. 1t repeats for the third tim
Mr., Harrison's recommendationsfor tn
protection OF railroad employees, ant
presents a startling array OF statistic
showing the necessity for such Il law
That is a recommendation which SHOULD
. be acted upon, and 1t will be if the labo
+ organizations will bring a little pressur
J to bear upon congressman. 1t recon
. mends the adoption OF a constitutions
amendment for a uniform system fo
the election OF congressman and men
, bers Of the electoral college, and til
, appointment by the Supreme Court OF
: non-partisan commission to inquire II
to and recommend a remedy for tn
, evils OF our present election system.
Young Sherman Hoar, who is Il demo
, cratic member OF the house as well as
nephew OF Senator Hoar, who is abou
as radical a republican as could b
found, is said to have cried like a chill
. when Mills was defeated. Ii he remain
! i'll political life long. he will get bravel
, over that sort of thinu
! representative Jerry Simpson drew
first-class prize in the lottery for choic
> OF seats, and selected a seat III the iron
, row, where he cannot fail to attrac
the Speakers attention every time h
says ''Mr. Speaker" and unless Il
changes his mind, he will say it yer
often during the sessions.
No business OF any Importance exccp
organizing, is ever done during the frs
week OF a new congress, and this cor
;, gress Is no innovation III that respect
the house adjourned from Wednesday t.
Saturday, when it adjourned to mex
, Wednesday; and owing TO the nearnes
OF the Christmas holiday season and th
doubt about whether Speaker Crisp wi.
get the chairmanshlps OF committees ar
nounced before the recess, it is sale t.
assume that the serious work of the SEE
sion will not begin until January. l
is just as well perhaps for the major
;, ity in the house that this is SO, as til
soothing effect OF time will be beneficial
to the sorenes which now exists anon
] those who fought SO hard to make Nj
g Mills speaker.
e The eight members Of the Farmers
Alliance who supported Representative
Watson, OF Georgia, for speaker, den
that they were disappointed becaus
Il more Of the Alliance members did nc
vote together, and claim that they wi
|, surprise some people when any bill Ell
dorsing any OF the Alliance principle
shall come to a vote in the house, b
a the strength they will be able to displa,
i 1t is stated here that the old figl
against DR.. Macune, who is a member
the executive committee OF the Nation,
Farmers Alliance and the editor OF I'll
National Economist, the national orga
= Of the Alliance, is to be opened again
q the meeting Of the executive commit
I which is to be held here III January.
g Again the air is full OF rumors abol
e Mr.. Blaine's intention to write a lett
le formally announcing that he will not
a candidate, and declaring in favor
y Mr.. Harrison. 1t may be true but
cannot be vouched for by your CORE
e ondent, because he has been unable
y find anyone authorized by Mr.. Blaine
make such statement.
: The election OF Speaker Crisp, wheth