Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-12-24
From our regular spondent. |
Washington Letter.

ashlngt0n Letter,
WAsHINGTOS. d. c., Dec. IA, 1891.
The President has rendered the Dem
ocratic vacancy on the Interstate Com
merce Commission to Representative Cul-
berSton, Of Texas, and he has accepted 1t
and will tender his resignation a mem
Der Of the House of Representatives at
once. 1t is expected that other important
nominations will 90 to the Senate this
week, but, owing to the large number Of
nominations made Since the 18th of March,
but few Of which have yet gone to the
Senate. the chances are that the President
will decide To send in no more nominations
until after the Christmas recess. Assist
ant Secretary Grants resignation as acting
:, SO there will be no Inconvenience If the
new Secretary of War is not nominated
until after the recess.
Speaker Crisp is apparently not making
much headway in satisfying the individual
expectations Of the hig Democratic ma joT-
ity in the matter of chairmens hips and AS
signments to committees. although he has
devoted his time 50 continuously to
listening 10 what the members have to
say, since his election, that he is -aid to be
50 completely tagged ont that it viii be
necessary for him 10 leave Washington
and 20 10 some secluded place, IN order 70
make the selections without interruption
or Interference. The chairmanship Of the
Committee on Appropriations was rendered
to Representative Fornry Of Alabama
but it was done merely as an honor to the
gentleman, who was the senior Democratic
member Of the committee during the last
Congress, it was known before hand
that. owing to his age, he would not care
10 assume the hard work which necessarily
falls 10 the head Of thai committee. 1t is
expected that Holman, of Indiana, more
popularity known a. the great objector. "
will be chairman Of that committee.
The greatest struggle seems to be for
the chalrmanship of the Ways and Means
Committee. 1t i, conceded that this posi-
tion ought to be rendered TO Mr. Mills,
but Mr.. Crisp. it is said. fears that Mills
might accept it If he offered it to him, and
up 70 this time he has not done 50
Springer wants this place very much, and
II il believed that Mr Crisp i inclined to
give it to him, a he and Springer are of
one mind about what should be the Dem
ocratic policy in regard to the tariff,
while Mr.. Mills differs with them. 1t Is
expected that the number Of this commit
tee will be increased to fifteen and Rtpub-
/ Ican representation thereon be reduced to
dye
The House is doing nothing. and will
! probably continue at it until the commit
tees are announced. 1t adjourned from
"Wednesday until Saturday, and on that
( lay, after the announcement Of the com
nittee on accounts Ry.k. Of Indiana
Cooper, of Indiana; Dckerson, of Ken
tucky; Moses, Of 5. G.. Seerly of Iowa
4 Pearson, Of Ohio Quackenbush, Of New
York, Griswold, of Pa ; and Cutting, OF
California and the Committee on Mile
age-Castle, Of Mimi; Crawford, of y.
/ c.; Kendall, Of Ky Caldwell, of Ohio ;
and Flick, of Iowa-it adjourned until
! Wednesday Of this week. The members
could not draw their mileage until the two
committees were appointed
The Senate will finish the rea.rangement
/ Of its committees this week and NAV do a
little work before the holidays, but it is
| probable that the greater portion of it will
consist Of confirming the Presidential
appointments made since the last Congress
adjourned.
Senator Plumb says it is his purpose to
press his resolution for the removal OF
Gen Grants remains to Arlington, and
that he will do solely because he think )
that Washington is the proper place and
that he believes the sentiment Of the coun-
try is Overwhelmingly in favor of the re-
moval and the erection of a national monu-
ment, to be paid for by the Government
He says the fact that New York has or has
not raised sufficient money for a fitting
monument has not Influenced him at ALL
The question of whether railroad com
panies have the right to issue free passes
under the Interstate Commerce law, has
been source of more or less worry to the
Department of Justice, and Attorney Gen
eral Miller has made up his mind to have
a suit br ought against one of the New
England roads, in New Hampshire. for
the purpose of having the courts finally
settle the question.
Bills for the free coinage of silver have
been introduced by Senators Plumb and
Stewart, and bills for one cent letter post
age by Senators Cullum and Mitchell, while
Senators Mitchell and Turpie have both
introduced bills providing for consttu
tional amendment for the election OF
United States Senators by direct vote.
Secretary Foster continues to improve
but it will be some weeks before he car
resume his duties.