The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-01-15
WASHINGTON LETTER

WASHINGTON, ID. G., Jan. I2tb, 1892.
1t is a matter for congratulation
that Speaker Crisp is rapidly recover
ing. His continued illness is becom-
ing very embarrassing to the demo-
cratic majority in the House, as there
is natural hesitation among those
who are capable Of directing the policy
of the party, about assuming func-
ton that belongs properly to the
Speaker; consequently there has been
some confusion, which thoughtless
people have taken for dissension, and
republican newspapers have not been
SOW to exaggerate this idea, and some
democrats, fortunately few IN number,
have allowed themselves to fall into
the error of believing such statements
to be the truth.
1t is probable that had not Mr.
Crisp been stricken down, a democrat
ic caucus would have been held before
this, at which the general policy to be
pursued by the majority of the House
during the session would have been
mapped out and some agreement reach
ed as to who should assume the lead
ership Of the House on the floor, but
it has not been thought advisable to
hold this CAUCUS in the absence Of
Speaker Crisp. While it is not prob
able that MIR. Crisp will be strong
enough to preside over the House
during this week, yet he is already
well enough to confer with his colleag-
ues, and the prediction is made that
all cause of complaint will shortly dis
appear and that the democratic major
lty will get down to work with unani.
nifty to carry out the policy upon
which it was clected-tariff reform and
retrenchment in public expenditures.
No man who ever entered the SEN
ate was given more cordial reception
by his party colleagues than was Sen
ator David b. Hill. of New York, and
no new member Of that body ever re-
ceived the Difference which is accord
ed him by all of the Senators His
intimacy with Senator German has
given that gentleman an unquestion-
able boom for the Presidential nomina-
ton. This is doubtless largely due to
the feeling that any candidate support
ed by Senators Hill and German would
be difficult to defeat in a democratic
national convention.
Representative Blount, Of Georgia,
chairman of the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, thinks the House made a mis-
take in defeating the joint resolution
authorizing the Secretary OF the Navy
to charter a steamship to carry food to
Russia and that it was done through
misapprehension and the lack OF
proper information. He has moved a
reconsideration of the vote, and ex
poets that the resolution will be pass
cd when it comes up.
The declaration of the State presi
dents of the Farmers Alliance, who
have been holding a conference here,
has excited much comment here
MFR. Blaine is again having rocky
Time Oi IL, DGtWcSil tue attempt OI lnt
Ghilians to wrigge out Of making AT
apology to the United States and o
the Harrison crowd TO make his healtl
national bugaboo. He is also hav
ing trouble with Mr.. Harrison and the
Cabinet over the question of grantin:
the Mexican government the right t.
sepd troops into the United State
ster Cara, who is said to be backe'
by Boss Shepherd of Washington no
toriety, and other Americans. Nj
Blaine alone opposes allowing Mex
can troops to cross the border.
Chairman 1illman, of the Hous
committee OF Patents, appears to b
uhe right man in the right place. II
has been studying the complaints {
the successful inventors against tn
irresponsible parties who make
practice of wilfully Infringing patent
knowing that the inventor can colle'
no damages from them, no matter ho
much the courts may decree, AMI h
has become convinced that they al
too true. The remedy is in adoptir
law that will make the wilful infrinI
er of patent liable to criminal pro
ecution. With the prospect of stril
ed suit before them there will be
large decrease in the number Of il