The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-12-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON. D. c.. Dec. 2, 1S99.
The work of the second session of the Fifty
second Congress really began this week. all
though there is not quorum of either House or
Senate yet in town and the formal opening will
not ta Ike place until next Monday. The work
which was this week assigned to sub-eommit
tees at full meeting of the House committee
on appropriations is the most important that
will come before this Congress in its bearing
upon the immediate future Of President-eiect
Cleveland's administration n and of the Demo
cratic party, the preparation of the regular ap-
preparation bills that are to be passed at this
session for the support of the government Tor
the year beginning July /, 1898, Representa-
tive Holman, chairman of the committee, urged
upon his colleagues the necessity for the most
careful scrutiny of every item in each OF these
bills and the ruthless cutting out of every dol
lar not absolutely necessary to keep the govern
ment wheels running. The uncertainty about
the condition The Republicans will leave the
treasury in when they retire next year adds to
the necessity for the most careful work on the
part Of these subcommittee.
Aside from the regular appropriations there
is difference of opinion as to what, if any,
other important legislation will be taken up in
the House. Some Democrats think that the free
coinage bill which was passed by the Senate at
the last session and which is now on the House
calendar. but where it cannot be reached. with
out the reporting OF special order by the COM
mittee on rules. should be taken up and passed;
others who at one time favored free coinage say
now that it would not be wise to adopt any f.
nancial legislation until after the tariff has
been revised and its fleet upon our finances
and business shall have been carefully OBJ.
served.
There is such q very decided sentiment smong
Democrats in favor of income tax that un-
less it shall be thought good policy to let it go
over until the meeting of the Fifty-third Con-
gress it is altogether probable that the House
will pass bill providing for graduated tax
on all annual incomes in excess of 5000. No
one expects that the present Senate will agree
to an income tax-it contains too many richRe-
publieans-but those who think it should be
passed at this session believe that it. would re.
suit in making its popularity SO plain that 1t
would be certain of passing the next Congress
and of becoming law. although it is said that
while Mr.. Cleveland does not exactly oppose
the idea, he has not maue up his mind TO favor
it.
Panama business. in both House and Senate,
whether it shall prove to be as many now be-
lieve. that the Pacific Mail steamship Company
is trying to make use of the Monroe doctrine
and the pow er of the United States government
10 put money in its purse, or in reality an in
fringement of American rights by agent of
the French government. 1t is expected that
Concress will thoroughly sift the matter. iii
does look out, that's all.
1t is stated here on what appears to be good
authority that Hon. Charles .Fairchild of New
York, who was Mr.. Clevelsnd's Secretary of
Treasury, has consented to fill the same posi-
tion under the coming administration. the ten
der of the portfolio having been made to him
Immediately after the election. Mr.. Fairchild
made an excellent Secretary of the Treasury
before and in view of the expected deficit in
the treasury and other financial complications,
certain to arise early in Mr.. Cleveland's ad-
ministration. his selection is regarded here as
a wise one, although there were political rea
sons against it,
Superstitious people are asking each other In
whispers whether it is the White House or the
Harrison family which has passed under the
baleful influence of a death "hoOdoo," The
death of DIR. Scott, Mr.. Harrison's father in =
law. whose funeral services were held in the
White House yesterday afternoon, makes the
ninth death in the families of those connected
with the W hite House since Mr.. Harrison be-
came president. besides Secretary Tracy's wife
and dau ghter. whose funerals were held there
The death of DIR. Scott was particularly trying
to Mr.. Harrison. who was already nearly brok-
en- down with grief for his wife and the long
hours he has been putting in at work on his
annual message to Congress, which will be sent
in next Tuesday. The sympathy for him is
universal.
In add ition to the many other arguments for
holding an extra session of the Fifty second
Congress it is now urged that an extra session
,vonId enable the new committees to be an
nounced and to put in all next summer at work
nertecting bills to be introduced at the regular
session and that it would admit Arizona and
New Mexico as states, thus making Democratic
control of the Senate actual, instead of being
dependent on the whims of third party senas
tors.