Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-12-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.


Our Regular CorreSpOndent.J
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1882.
The president and his family re-
turned Friday from the sad errand OF
burying his father-in-law, Rev. DR..
Scott, who died at the White House
last week. The death OF DIR. Scott
put stop to work on the presidents
annual message to congress and it was
at first feared that the delivery OF the
message would have to be delayed a
few days, but with the aid of the men,
bers OF the cabinet the message, which
devoted to review OF the excellent
work of the administrator, was sent
to congress or Tuesday.
From the talk OF senator's and rep
resentatives, many OF whom are al
ready here, it is apparent that the ses-
sion OF congress, which began Monday,
is to ae much more interesting than
had been generally supposed. Some
Democrats are already expressing the
fear that the Republican senate may
take up and pass the "pop-gun" tariff
bills passed by the house at the last
session, placing wool and other ar
ticles on the free list, which, if signed
by the president, would make that
treasury deficit, which Democratic
success at the polls has made a strong
probability for the next fiscal year an
absolute certainty. The fears are
groundless; the Republican senator's
are too patriotic to vote against their
honest convictions merely to add to
the troubles, which already promise
to be great enough, heaven knows, of
the Democratic administration and
congress.
lmpecunious congressman are relolc-
ing oyer the prospect OF the presence
OF a big lobby in Washington during
this session, to fight the bill which
will be reported by the senate COM
mittee on immigration, providing for
suspension of immigration for a
period OF one year from March l 1898.
Should this bill become law it would
cause an immense loss to the trans
Atlantic steamship companies which
derive very large revenue from the
immigration traffic, and it is these
companies which are organizing this
lobby, and which will supply it with
all the money needed to Influence"
votes against the bill
IL
deed its advance agents are already
here, but its work will be entirely with
the senate, which has very few impe-
cunious members, consequently it's
presence does not excite so much in
terest. 1t is composed OF representa-
tives of the great grain and cotton ex-
changes, and is here for the purpose of
preventing the passage of the anti-op-
tion bill, which passed the house last
session, and which Senator Washburn
has given notice that he will call up in
the senate and push to vote at the
earliest opportunity.
A formidable number of Democrats
aided by the third p Irty members are
working up sentiment in the house
in favor OF the passage OF a bill pro-
viding for an income tax and they
claim to have gotten almost enough
pledges to secure it's passage: but as
Speaker Crisp dominates the house
committee on rules and he is anxious
to curry favor with Mr.. Cleveland,
who is opposed to an Income tax, and
no business opposed by that com
mittee can be brought TO a vote in the
house, it is regarded as doubtful
whether the bill can be passed by the
house. 1t is certain that it would not
pass the senate.
Il it be true, as stated here and gen.
orally believed, that Mr.. Cleveland has
selected ex-Secretary Fairchild, who
took a prominent part in the New
York "anti-snapper" movement, for
his secretary OF the treasury, it is not
likely that the Tammany-Hill com
, bine will get member OF the cabinet,
as it is not believed that New York
will have more than one representa-
tive in Mr.. Cleveland's cabinet, owing
to the number of other states already
demanding recognition because they
> voted for Cleveland.
Ii the Democrats who are clamorin.
for an early session OF the Fifty-thirC
! congress continue to.gain recruits a
the present rate Mr.. Cleveland will fine
u it difficult to refuse their demands
: whatever he may think oft. Speake
= Crisp, although he processes publicl.
be undecided about it, is in realit!
working as hard as he knows how t
II bring about an extra session. 1t i
O pure unadelterated selhshness Will
y him; ne wants to be speaker again
ie and having been Hill man, he fear
:. that if the election OF speaker be post
N poned until the regular session MI
W Cleveland will have opportunity t.
a make combinations that would resul
- = in the election OF a Cleveland speaker
le The latest and most sordid argumen
re advanced for an extra session is tina
s the Democrats could then admit Me-
~ Mexico and Arizona to statehood an
h have four more Democratic senator
III at the opening OF the regular session
ID making them independent OF the vote
=, "a OF the third party senator's.
~
es COMET TRAGEDIES.