The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-03-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.


Czar Reed is in the saddle. backed by quorum
Of republicans in the House, and anything is
liable to happen during the remaining four
days of the session; 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 "iob''
is to be railroaded through the House this eve
ming, thanks to Reeds outrageous code of rules
When the resolution for the consideration and
calling of the previous question on this repub
lican 'job'' was reported to the House by
Reeds lieutenant. Mckinley. Representative
Mcmillan, democratic member of the COM
mittee ON Rules. stated that the prophecy he
had made in the beginning of this Congress had
been verified. II 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 peo-
ple-that has been done; to pass the direct 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 re-
publicans pass acts of Congress by proclama-
tion instead of by legislation. but he wanted
them to understand that the democrats would
avail themselves of every moment Of discus
sion to expose to the American people the
wrongs which were being perpetrated upon
them. Mr.. Dockery mentioned the fact that up
to the present time the net increase of appro-
priations made by the present Congress as
compared with those made by the last Congress
was $102 O00,0O0. The republicans could not re-
ply. SO they yelled ''chestnuts."
The death of Senator Wilson. of Maryland.
which occurred suddenly from heart disease.
Tuesday night, removed good and conscien-
tious legislator. who was beloved by all. The
Senate adjourned wednesday in his honor, but
not sfore Senator Spooner, who stated that he
would not be a member of the Senate when a
day would be set apart for eulogies on the dead
Statesman, had paid most loving 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 commit
tees of the House and Senate, left on a special
train for snow Aill. Md, where the interment
will be made today.
Secretary Foster has always been known as q
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
charge of the Treasury department until he
straightens up his business affairs in Ohio
Although the Senators concerned have denied
it. / have reason to believe that certain repub.
icans tried to get the democratic Senators te
vote with them to reject Fosters nomination
and that the democrats refused ON the ground
that the President should be allowed to selec
his own cabinet officers and that no Senator
was justifable in voting against the confrma
ton of such nomination unless charges were
made and proven against the character of the
nominee.
Time is a good friend of the people, and hi:
friendship was particularly timely when hi
compelled the Senate to abandon the bill fol
the guaranteeing of $1,000 .0UO of the bonds o
the Nicaragua Canal Co. That settles the
scheme for good and all. and if the news re
ceived here be correct. it probably settles th
canal, too, for some time to come, for it is Ger
tain that the next House will not pass that o.
any other subsidy scheme.
1t is noticeable TACT that everyone of th'
Farmers Alliance Representatives elect tina
has been to Washington. and number of then
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 amendment the Senate pu
in the Diplomatic appropriation bill granting
subsidy of $1,000. .UJ0 to company which pro
poses, if it gets the subsidy. to lay cable be
tween San Francisco and the Sandwich Islands
1t has now transpired that the subsidy is con
siderably more than it would cost to lay tn,
cable, and also that another company stand
ready to lay the cable without a subsidy, i
Congress will give it the authority to do so
Ordinarily this would be sufficient to kill thu
Job" but this being the last chance of lot o
very hungry republicans there's no telling hoV
they'll vote.
fan extra session is escaped it will be by a
close shave as it would be possible to make
and all sorts of errors. some of them Intentional
are almost certain to occur in bills thai will b.
rushed as everything will be from now unit
the end.