Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-01-01
fFrom our regular Correspondent
Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. %, 1890.
Senator Spooner made calm, delibera-
tive argument in favor of the Federal cleo
tion bill that was in striking contrast with
the impassioned utterances of the demo-
cratic Senators against that measure. He
utterly demolished every argument yet ad-
vanced against the bill and stated his belief
that such law was absolutely necessary,
if the ballot box, the foundation of our
liberty is to be kept pure and honest.
There was not a word of this personal or
party abuse in Mr.. Spooner's speech; he
started out by saying that the bill covered
question upon which there was room for
an honest difference of opinion, and he
showed all the way through that he recog-
nized the right of others to differ with
democratic Senator who has spoken on the
bill has done.
1t has not yet been fully determined
whether the consideration of the election
bill will 60 right on through this week, or
whether it will be laid aside for the pur-
pose Of acting upon the proposed change
of rules which was endorsed by caucus
last week. There seems to be a slight
misunderstanding among republican SEN
ators about this change in the rules; some
of them believing the intention of the
caucus to have been the adoption of the
change at once. to apply to all legislation
fnr bn of ha nj tbnrs
say they understand that it was only to
apply to the election bill and the appor-
tonment bill, and that the financial bill,
approved by the same caucus, was to be
taken up and passed before the rules were
changed. If these differences cannot be
reconciled another caucus may be held
before anything definite is done.
The democratic Senators are doing
everything they can to prevent any action
being taken on the financial bill One of
them-Mr. Reagan-has already offered an
amendment providing for free coinage.
There are number of republican Senators
that will vote for free coinage if it gets
before the Senate, but more than two
thirds of them believe that it would be in
furious TO the best interests of the country
to pass free coinage bill at this time, and
rather than see free coinage amendment
tackcd to the bill they will sacrifice the en-
| tire bill. In fact some Of the ablest tinan-
cicrS IN the Senate, including such meu as
Mcssrs. Allison, Morrill,, Aldrch and Sher-
man, have expressed the opinion that the
finances of the country are in fair way of
righting themselves without legislation,
and while they would support the bill pro-
vIing for the purchase of the additional
II 900 600 ounces of silver bullion and for
the rccoinage of the $50 900 900 in frac-
tional currency and trade dollars, they do
not favor taking any chances on free COIN
age. That is just the situation as it exists
to-day.
Senator ingalls, asked for and obtained
two weeks leaye of absence Saturday, and
yesterday he left for Kansas, where he eX-
poets to remain until the Kansas legisla-
ture decides who shall succeed him in the
Senate. He takes with him the good
wishes of every republican in Washington
from the President down to the humblest
member of the party, and on every hand
one hears the wish, sometimes even from
tile democrats that Kansas may see the
wisdom Of giving her brainy son another
term in the Senate; wish in which most
heartily join as it would be impossible for
an
fleet more credit upon the State than Mr..
ingalls, has done.
1t IS expected that the President will
this week issue the proclamation required
by the act Of Congress authorizing the
Worlds Fair, stating that the requirements
of that act have been complied with.
This will start the ball a rolling which will,
President Palmer, who is now here, says
result in the greatest and grandest eX-
hibiton the world has yet seen.
senator Paddock has given notice that
if the debate on the election bill is 10 be
protracttd to any great extent he proposes
asking the Senate TO take up his Pure Food
Till, which is demanded by the farmers
from one end of the country to the other.
Senator PettIgrew has introduced bill
to prohibit the sale of firearms and ammu-
milton to Indians on reservations.
Senator Platt has offered a resolution
appropriating 100000 and authorizing the
President to obtain from the German
government, if possible, supply of the
consumption remedy known as DR.. koch's
lymph and the formula for its manufact-
ure, in order that it may be distributed
throughout this country.
1t does not look as though Congress
would take any Christmas recess but quite
number of Senators and Representatives
have gone home to eat their Christmas
dinner
The President will, am informed send
with the correspondence relating to the
Behring Sea controversy which is to 20 to
Congress shortly, u special message ex-
planning and giving his views Of the situa-
ton which is considered to be grave