Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1891-03-13
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
(Regular Correspondence of the standard.)

WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. 27, 1891.
Car Reed is in the saddle, backed by
a quorum OF Republicans in the House,
and anything is liable to happen dur
ing the remaining four days OF the ses-
sion; but there is consolation in the
fact that the regular appropriation bills
will leave little time in either House or
Senate for political legislation. The
ship subsidy "job" is to be railroaded
through the House this evening, thanks
to Reeds outrageous code of Rules.
When the resolution for the considera-
ton and calling of the previous ques-
ton on this Republican "job" was re-
portel to the House hy Reeds hanten-
ant, Mckinley, Representative McMil-
Ian, Democratic member of the COM
mittee on Rules, stated that the proph-
ecy he had made in the beginning Of
this Congress had been verified. 81
stated" continued he, "that these
Rules had been adopted for four
reasons: To pass the election bill,
which subjected the ballot-box to the
bayonet-that has been done; to pass
the tariff bill that would rob the people
that has been done; to pass the di-
rect tax bill-that has been done; to
pass bill placing further taxes upon
depressed and burdened interior for
the benefit of the shipping interests
that is about to be DONE"
Mr.. Mills suggested sarcastically that
the Republicans pass acts OF Congress
by proclamation instead Of by legisla-
ton, but he wanted them to under
stand that the Democrats would avail
themselves of every moment Of discus
sion to expose to the American people,
the wrongs which were being perpetrat-
ell upon them. Mr.. Docke!y men,
toned the fact that up TO the present
time the net increase appropriations
made by the present Congress as COM
pared with those made by the last Con-
gress was $1O2 100000. The Republi.
ems could not reply, so they yelled
"chestnuts."
The death Of Senator Wilson, OF
Maryland, which occurred suddenly
from heart disease, Tuesday night, re-
moved good and conscientious legis.
lator, who was beloved by all. The
Senate adjourned Wednesday in his
honor but Lot before Senator Spooner
who stated that he would not be a
member of the Senate when q day
would be set apart for eulogies on the
dead statesman, had paid a most Low.
ing tribute to his colleague who had
entered the Senate the same day as
himself and who had served on the
same committee with him ever since
The funeral took place here yesterday
morning, after which the remains, in
charge of committees of the House and
Senate, left on a special train for Snow
Hill, Maryland, where the interment
will be made to-day.
Secretary Foster, has always been
known us a thrifty man. Having
been confirmed by the Senate he came
here at once and yesterday took the
oath of office in order that his salary
might begin, although he will not take
actual charge of the Treasury depart.
ment until he straightens up his bust.
ness affairs in Ohio. Although the
Senators concerned have denied it,
have reason to believe that certain Re-
publicans tried to get the Democratic
Senators to vote with them to reject
Fosters nomination, and that the
Democrats refused, on the ground that
the President should be allowed to Sc
lect his own cabinet officers and that
no Senator was justifiable in voting
against the confirmation of such q
nomination, unless charges were made
and proven against the character Of
the nominee.
Time is a good friend of the people,
and his friendship was particularly
timely when he compelled the Senate
to abandon the bill for the guarantee
ing of l00,000,0OO of the bonds of the
Nicaragua canal company. That set.
ties the scheme for good and all, and
if the news received here be correct it
probably settles the canal too for some
time to come, for it is certain that the
next House will not pass that or any
other subsidy scheme.
1t is noticeable fact that every one
OF the Farmers Alliance Representa-
tiyes-elect that has been to Washing.
ton, and a number of them are here
now, favors free trade out and out,
with no ifs, ands or butts.
One of the neatest little steals ever
proposed to Congress is that amend
ment the Senate put in the Diplomatic
appropriation bill granting subsidy
of SO, 3,OOO, 900 to company which pro-
poses-if it gets the subsidy-to lay a
cable between San Francisco and the
Sandwich Islands. 1t has now tran
spired that the subsidy is considerably
more than it would cost to lay the
cable, and also that another company
stands ready to lay the cable without
subsidy, if Congress will give it the
authority to do so. Ordinarily this
would be sufficient to kill the "job,"
but this being the last chance OF a lot
of very hungry Republicans there is no
telling how they'll vote. Dem.
COLONEL Haines has certainly not
increased his reputation by his con-
duct of the Sachs case, and if Sachs is
not fired, the Republican party will be