Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-01-21
From our regular Correspondent. I
Washington Letter.

| washington Ietter.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. Jan. H. 1892
| The President is not worrying himself
about the cyclone of bills which have been
introduced in the House by the Democrats.
He knows. as do the authors of these bills.
that there is not even = slight probability
that any bill repeating or hampering the
proper administration of any law enact
ed by the fifty first Congress will become
law during the life of the fifty-second
| Congress; and there is no doubt that be in
| common with other Republicans, has been
| amused to see the antics of the leaderless
majority in the House. The President is
| going right ahead preparing his proclams-
| ton of retaliation, warning which has
been given the countries interested, against
those countries which have neglected to
negotiate reciprocity agreements with us,
inst as though Representative Andrew had
| not introduced bill repeating the clause
| of the reciprocity law which gives the
President this authority. The proclama-
and will restore the duty which existed
before the Mckinley tariff law went into
effect upon sugar. molasses, coffee, tea
and hides from those countries.
The fact is regarded as significant by
the Cleveland democrats that Senator Hill
has already become crony of SEN
ator German. 1t has CONVINCED them
of the truth of the rumored combi-
the Democratic Presidential nomination.
And it etfectually disposes Of the silly
billy talk about German being Cleveland's
friend, In fact there are not three Demo
cratic Senators who can be really called
friends of Cleveland, and yet they may all
be compelled to swallow their dislike and
support him for President But II trick
cry can prevent Cleveland's nomination
Hill and German will succeed In doing it,
There are" said member of the
House committee on patents, lots Of inc
qualities in our law system. II thief is
detected stealing my pocket book, con-
tanning only few dollars, can have the
satisfaction of seeing him sent to prison
for il, but If an irresponsible thief-finan-
cially irresponsible meau-steas my idea
represented IN patchteo !hveLuou. no
matter how valuable it may be, my only
redress is to sue him for damages, know
ing beforehand that the judgment will not
be worth the paper 1t is written on. This
ought to he changed and am glad to see a
growing sentiment in favor Of making the
| patent thief amenable to the same law as
the other thieves. l hope to see it done
at the present session"
The big Democratic majority in the
House is already beginning to founder
around heplessy for lack of a competent
| leader Mills has washed his hands Of the
whole business and gone home to work for
the senatorship, and before he left he made
no secret of his disgust at the outlook for
his party Crisp is still confined to his
| room, and there is too much rivalry be-
tween such men as Springer and Holman.
to admit of either of them being accepted
a, leader The only thing that the Demo-
Gratis are certain of is that they are opposed
| to appropriations for any purpose. Many
| of them are clamorlng for caucus, but
the older heads fear to call one until they
| know the intentions of the new members
| little better. Springer's positive state
I ment that no free silver bill will be passed
| by the House has raised a rumpus, and
Democrats who favor free silver are re-
| of bossism.
Nonsensical stories about the state of Sec
retary Blaines health are again plentiful.
Mr.. Blaine is not sick on the contrary he
is daily performing an amount Of arduous
work which proves him to be - very
vigorous condition. The Chilian minister
could. if he desired, give some conclusive
testimony on this subject, based upon his
personal negotiations with Mr.. Blaine.
Senator Sherman received warm con-
gratulations when he returned from Ohio.
He has nothing but kind words for Ex-
Governor Foraker, who, by the way, made
many new friends here by his manly speech
to the legislative caucus after his defeat.
Secretary Foster has entirely recovered.
but it was thought best that he should
take short rest before resuming work,
so he has gone to Fortress Monroe.
Postmaster General Wanamaker's idea
of extending the free delivery of mail
matter has ''caught on" in Congress and
three bills authorizing such extension
have already been introduced in the House.
Mrs. Harrison held her first public recep-
ton Of the season Saturday afternoon.
She was assisted by Mrs. Justice Gray and
Mrs. Justice Brewer.
Senator Perkins was given a warm vel
come in the Senate. and, what is more i'm.
pprtant to him and to Kansas, he will ge,
: most of the late Senator Plumb's commit
tee of arrangements.