Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-01-15
Washington Letter.

/ what disappointed tnat the election Olli
should have been laid aside Just at the
time when a strong and combined effort
on the part Of the republican Senators
could have passed it; but he is not the
kind of a man to waste any time in vain
regrets. He knows that the people do
not hold him responsible for legislation,
and besides, the financial bill, now
under consideration, meets his view of
what is needed to relieve the money
market and he would be very glad TO
sign it if it is passed in its present con-
dition, but 1t is not believed that he will
do so if free coinage amendment is
added to it. In fact it is probable that
the expectation of Presidential veto
had not little to do with influencing
/ the democratic Senators to vote with the
republican silver Senators in order to
dtsplace the election with the financial
bill. as it is known that a number of
democratic Senators, including such
men as Gormon and Wilson, of Mary
land and Payne, of Ohio, are opposed
to free coinage.
Senator Stewart, who engineered the
movement, denies for himself and his
republican colleagues that any bargain
was made with the democrats to ex-
change votes against the Election bill
for votes tor free coinage, and Senator
Teller has also made a speech indig-
nantly fefuting the charge of bargain.
The words of these gentlemen should be
amply sufficient in this matter, and if
any proof was necessary it may be found
in the fact that Senator Washburne.
who was one of the eight republicans
that voted with the democrats to take
up the financial bill, is opposed to free
coinage and will do his utmost to defeat
it. An attempt will be made to dispose
of the financial bill this week, but there
are several reasons which make success
doubtful, the principal of which is the
fear Of the democrats that if the bill is
disposed of speedily the election bill will
again be taken up.
The only lottery recognized by Con-
gress took place this week when Sena-
tors Shoup and Mcconnell, of Idaho.
drew lots to decide which should serve
the long term. Senator Shoup drew
the prize and will serve until March 3,
1895, while the Senatorial career of his
colleague will close with the present
session of Congress. These two gentle
men are referred to by their older col
leagues as ''the baby Senator's
The majority in Congress. including
most of the democrats and all of the re-
publcans, are of one mind in regard to
the Behring Sea correspondence which
was sent to Congress this week-they
think that Mr. Blaine has conducted the
negotiation in a mastery manner. and
that he has shown that he is in need of
no assistance from Congress. OF course
criticise Mr.. Blaine for not having taken
more pugnacious stand, and they are
the same fellows who have for weeks
been bowling themselves hoarse because
of a sensational rumor saying that Mr.
Blaine was Intentionally bringing on a
war with England.
Senator Ingalls, has returned to his
duties here, and while he refuses to be
interviewed on the subject his manner
indicates to his friends that he is con-
tdent of being re elected.
The amount of talk and criticism in
dulged in here of the military authorities
and their movements against the
Indians carries old Washingtonians
back to the late war, when, as every
body knows, the ablest commanders
remained in Washington and did their
fighting through the columns of the
newspapers.
The shipping bill is occupying the
most of the time in the House this week
and its friends express confidence in its
passage.
The Apportionpent bill has been re-
ported to the Senate accompanied by
majority and minority reports from the
committee: the first in favor of the bill
as ii passed the House, and the latter
favoring an amendment adding three
members, one each to Arkansas, Mimi
esota and New York.
The House has adopted q resolution
providing for an investigation Of the
killing of Sitting Bull.
Vice President Morton is in no way
to blame for having accidentally been
out Of The chair, which was occupied bv
Senator Harris, when the upheayal oe-
CURED which resulted in temporarily