Daily Texarkana Democrat., 1892-12-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. 2, 1892


The work of the second session OF
the Fitty-second Congress really be-
gan this week, although there is not
quorum of either House or Senate YET
in town and the formal opening will
not take place until next Monday
The work which was this week as
signed to subcommittee at q 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-elect Cleveland's admins
istration and of the Democratic party
tho preparation of the regular ap-
preparation bills that are to be passed
at this session for the support of the
Government for the year beginning
July /, 1898. Representative Holman,
chairman of the committee, urged up
on his colleagues the necessity for the
careful scrutiny of every item in each
of these bills and the ruthless cutting
out of every dollar not absolutely nee
essary to keep the Government 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 appropria-
tions there is difference Of opinion
as to what, if any, other important
Legislation will be taken up i'll the
House. Some Democrats think that
the free coinage bill which was pass
cd by the Senate at the last session
and which is now on the House calen-
dar, but where it cannot be reached
without the reporting of a special or
der by the committee OH rules, should
be taken up and passed; Others who
at one time favored free coinage say
no that it would not be wise to adopt
any financial legislation until after the
tariff has been revised and its effect
upon our finances and business shall
have been carefully observed.
There is such a very decided senti-
ment among Democrats in favor Of All
income tax that unless it shall BE-
thought good policy to let it go over
until the meeting of the E'ifty-thirG
Congress it is altogether probabi,
that the House will pass a bill provid
ing for graduated tax on all annuai
incomes in excess of $4,000, No one
expects that the present Senate viii
agree to an income taX-in contains
too many rich Republicans but thosc
who think it should be passed at this
session believe that it would result il
making its popularity so plain that
it would be certain of passing the mex
Congress, and of becoming law, al
though it is said that while Mr.. Cleye-
land does not now exactly oppose tn
idea, he has not made up his mind il
favor of it.
1t is stated here on what appears 10
be good authority that Hon. Chas. S
Fairchild of New York, who was MI
Cleveland's Secretary Of Treasury, ha,
consented to fill the same position I'm
der the coming administration, the
tender Of the portfolio having been
made to him Immediately after the
election. Mr.. Fairchild made an eX-
cellent Secretary of The Treasury be-
fore, and in view of the expected de-
fcit in the Treasury and other Gnan-
cial complications certain to arise earl>
in Mr.. Cleveland's administration, his
selection is regarded here as 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 baloful in
nuence of death "hoodoo." The
death of DR.. Scott, Mr.. Harrison
father-in-law, whose funeral servicee
were held in the White House yester-
day afternoon, makes the ninth deatl
in the families of those connected with
the White House since Mr.. Harrison
became President, besides Secretary
Tracy's wife and daughter, whose fun
erals were held there. The death Of
DR.. Scott was particularly trying TO
Mr.. Harrison who was already nearly
broken down with grief for his wife
and the long hours he has been put
ting in at work on his annual message
to Congress, which will be sent in next
Tuesday. The sympathy for him il
universal.
In addition to the many other argu'
ments for holding an extra session OF
the Fifty-second Congress it is no&
urged that an extra session would ca.