The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-01-20
The DEMOCRATIC PRESS.
WASHINGTON LETTER.


WASHINGTON. d. G.. Jan. 10. 1899.
Mr.. Harrison has. if high Republican author
ty may be believed, relieved Mr. Blaine of the |
Jhilian business and taken it entirely in his |
0wn hands. The same authority says that an
0ltimatum has been sent to Chilli and that all OF
the correspondence and the Presidents accom-
panying proclamation which were ready ten
days age, but were held back because of the
Chilian minister having succeeded in bambooz
ling Mr.. Blaine as to his country's intentions,
will go to Congress just as soon as the evidence
of all the sailors of the Baltimore has been taken
This evidence, as far as it has been telegraphed
to the Eeastern papers, has created very war
like Ieeling in Congress, and if MIR. Harrison
does not hurry up and send the correspondence
in, he will find it demanded by resolution.
The House has adopted a resolution offered by
Representative Holman that has spread con
sternation among.the promoters of schemes re-
quiring ''.a little appropriation Itdeclares it
to be the Judgment of the House that the grant
ing of subsidies or bounties by Congress, in
money. public lands, bonds or by Enforcement
or by pledge of the public credit, TO promote
special private industries or enterprises. indie
pendent of the constitutional power of Congress
is unjust and impo]itic. and in manifest conflict
with the spirit of republican Institutions. And
dition of the Treasury. and because efficient and
honest government can only be assured by the
frugal expenditure OF the public money, while
unnecessary and lavish expenditure under any
and all conditions. leads inevitably to venal and
corrupt methods in public affairs, money
ought to be appropriated by Congress. except
such as is necessary to carry on the departments
frlgally, efficiently and honestly administered
The republican party has, by its national leg
islation, given protection to certain classes, al
ways at the expense of the masses; but it has
persistently denied protection to one class, to
which it might have been given without ex-
pense or injury to any honest man. The class
referred to is the inventors. to whom the country
owes so much, who have vainly implored Con-
gress to amend the patent laws by making it 6
criminal offense to knowingly infringe patent
Representative Tillman. chairman of the House
committee on Patents, is determined that the
democrats shall have the honor of passing
bill complying with the inventors wishes, anG
breaking up the practice, now SO common. o.
Intentional infrlu cement of successful patent'
by parties without financial responsibility.
The Senate Committee on Elections this weel
heard the contested cases of Claggett VS. Dubois
of Idaho. and Davidson VS. Call. of Florida. The
hearings in both cases were mere formalities, il
mIttee. almost unanimously, favored the sitting
members, Dubois and Call.
Owing to the fact that the articles which will
be affected by the separate tariff bills likely tt
be reported by the House Ways and Mean;
Committee are few in number. and that they
have been so thoroughly discussed in the press
the committee has decided that it will be un
necessary to grant hearings to those interested
in them, as it is not probable that single new
fact could be broughtout.
Representative Harter, of Ohio, has intro
duced bill to consolidate and reduce the num-
ber of Customs Collection districts in tht
country, which he thinks will improve the ser
vice and save SITS 600 annually.
The democrats of the House have already
reached the why and wherefore stage Of thu
session, They want to know why Secretar.
Foster has withheld the payment of some $50,
QUO QUO appropriated for the fiscal year en6inl
June 30. last also why some $35 600, 600 less thai
should have been paid of the appropriations to
the current fiscal year, during its first hall
ending Jan. /. has been paid. These question
and others concerning government finances
may give the Secretary more trouble than tn
grip. from which he has just recovered. did.
The democrats also wish to know just wha
effect the Mckinley tariff law is having upo
the country, ana IL Is proposed, IN order TO OF
tain that Information quickly, that the Hous
Committee on Manufactures investigate its e
fects upon the general manufacturing interests
the Committees on agriculture. Labor and Com
merce to do the same for those several interests
A Senate ommittee spent part of last sum
mer in making an investigation of this subject
but the House proposal would be much NOR
thorough, consequently more satisfactory.
Speaker Crisp is expected to be well enoug
to preside over the House by next week