The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-02-11
" ASAIN GTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON. y. c., Feb g. 1891.
Mr. Harrison n ade a last desperate attempt
through Senator Hoar. iu behalf of the Force
bill at caucus of republican Senators held last
night. In order tc give the Senators who had
voted against the old bill an opportunity of re-
| turning to the ranks, new bill was presented
| to the caucus, shorter and with )ut some of the
Objectionable features of the Lodge bill. Stories
differ as to the conclusion arrived at. Some say
that it was decided to pass the new bill in a few
| days and others that definite conclusion was
| reacned. One republican Senator who voted
with the democrats to lay aside thu gag-rule
| resolution, is reported to have said that if it
would be any satisfaction to the adical mem p.
! bers OF his party he would vote for the new bill,
| because he was satisfied that there was not
| enough time remaining to get it through the
| House.
The republicans seem TO be getting the worst
| of the silver pool inves'ig alton in spite of the
| evident intention of the committee to find out
as little as possible. No democratic member OF
either branch of Congress has been implicated.
while two prominent republiCans-SenaSo or
| Cameron aGd Representative Taylor of Illinois
| have admitted tt cir guilt and another one
l. 'Represeu tatiYe Ketcham, of New York-is eX-
pscted to do likewise. The greatest farce of
the investigation was enacted this week when
Owenbey, the man who claimed to have been a
member Of silver pool. was brought from Chi :
c. ago under arrest and put on the stand. Almost
before he began his testimony the committee
decided that he must not mention the names of
Senators or Representatives that he h id heard
named By other people as specuating in silver
That practically shut out all that portion of his
evidence that might have led to finding out
something, and it is believed that it was in
tended to have just that very effect.
The free coinage bill has been the cause of
some very plain talk this week and unless all
sigus fail it is gazing to bring on big row in
the House. Senator Cockerell said that the op-
position to the bill which has suddenly sprung
into life in various sections. but principally in
the East, was inspired by kilograms from the
capitol; and Representative Bland charged
Representative Walker. who is a Massachu-
sets banker, with trying to smother the bill in
committee by granting endless hearings to all
who asked for them. The vote Of the commit
tee shows thas the bill will get no fivors there,
and all tina. the free coinage men car now do is
to await a favorable opportunity to bring it
directly before the House.
Congress has granted Mr.. Harrison's request
and passe! a bill extending the time during
which an assistant may act as the head of any
executive dep artment of the government from
ten TO thirty Gays. ana now th1t gentleman is
up to his ears in the recommendations of various
would be Secretaries of the Treasury. All the
big republicans from Gen Alger and Chauncey
Depew down to ''me too'' Plat who is himself
candidate, are fitting in and cut of Wash
ington like restless ghosts 1t is stated by re-
publcans that Mr.. Harrison has promised not
to give the place 20 q silver man. He'll have
hard time to fill the shoes of the late Secretary
Window; several of those who might do so sat
isfactoriIy to the country would under cir
cumstances connect themselves with the pres
ent unpopular administration
Senator Turpic. in accordance with the reso- |
luton recently adopted by the Indiana iegisla-
ture, has offered joint resolution proposing an |
amendment TO the Constitution of the United |
States, for the election of Senators by direct |
vote of the people.
1t looks now as if the Fifsyirst Congress
would come to an end before the committee
which has been for To- these many months max
ing alleged investi CATION Cf the Pension Of
flee and Commissioner Rau Al, makes its report |
1t is thought that the report is held back to |
keep Raum in his place as long as possible as
he is almost certain tt be removed when the re-
port goes to Mr. Harrison.
The National Legislative Council. which was
provided for at the late Ocaia convention of the
National Farmers Alliance is now holding its |
first session here 1t is composed of the Presi- {
tents Of the State organizations and the Ma