The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-07-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Senator Brice is finding it difficult to stick to
his long ago expressed determination to retire
from the Craftsmanship of the Democratic Ma
tional Committee. owing to the wish OF Mr.,
Cleveland, ex-Secretary Whitney. and other
prominent leaders of the party. that he should
retain the position during the present camprlgn.
A gentleman who has just returned from visit
to Mr.. Cleveland says that the muddle into which
Mr. Harrison has thrown his party by turning
down" all those who opposed his nomination.
has made deep impression upon Mr.. Cleveland.
and that he will show an opposite spirit when
the Democratic Committee meets to organize for
the campaign. by insisting thatno such discrim-
ination be made.
The free coinage ofsilver has been killed again.
and this time friends and foes agree that it is
really and truly dead. for this session anyway.
The fight in the House over the bill was entirely
outside of party lines. as may be judged from the
fact that ex-Speaker Reed was the acknowledged
leader of the 154 members whose votes defeated
the resolution reported from the Committee on
Rules for the consideration OF the free coinage
bill. Opinion differs as to what if any. effect
this disposition of the bill will have on the cam
paign. Representative Breckenridge. of Ken
tucky, says the defeat of the bill will result in
the election of Mr.. Cleveland and the retention
that would have been lost if the House had pass
ed the bill. "I recognize" continued Mr.. Breck-
inridge. that there is danger of losing few
seats in the House on account Of the failure of
the BILL but those that lost will not be to Re-
publicans. but to third party men who agree with
the Democrats on the tariff and in opposition to
the force bill. It will also cause number of
members who have usually been elected without
effort to fight for their seats.
Every one who has had any experience with
the present mixed-up pension laws will endorse
the resolution reported from the House commit
tee on Invalid Pensions. this week. pr oyiding
for the appointment of select committee OF
five, three to be taken from that committee and
two from the committee on Pensions, and au-
thorizing it to sit during the coming recess. for
the purpose of codifying, simplifying, and ar
ranging the pension laws now in force.
Republican fllibustering prevented the joint
resolution providing for the election of U. S
Senators by the people being adopted by the
House this week. They objected to it because it
lacked the force bill feature of placing the cleo
ton of Senators under Federal supervision.
Representative Bailey. of Texas. who believ es
it to be the duty of Congressman to earn the pay
they receive by being in their seats when q ses-
sion is being held, and whose consistent and
persistent objections to the passage of any bill
in the absence of a quorum. has brought him
notoriety and perhaps few enemies. believes
in practicing what he breaches. and when he
went to the Sergeant at Arms of the House to
drew some money. he requested that official to
deduct one days pay from the amount. as he was
absent one day. Mr.. Bailey contends that the
reduction is in strict accordance with law. but
the Sergeant-at-Arms will consult with the ac-
Al. hafa rinu
it.
1t is said that the knights of Labor are pre-
pairing to make determined opposition in the
House to the proposed Worlds Fair appropria-
ton. That organization alleges unfair treatment
of its members by those in charge of the work
upon the grounds of the Exposition at Chicago.
Contrary toi expectation. the anti option bill
failed to reach vote in the Senate this week.
although by q vote of 80 to Is it was given the
right of way. but it was crowded out by an ap-
preparation bill just as its supporters trying
to bring it to vote. Ifit comes up again it will
pass, as it will require majority vote to get it
up for consideration.
The Senate has adopted the amendment to the
Sundry Civil appropriation bill providing for the
appropriation for the Worlds Fair of 900
souvenir silver half-dollars. to be coined from
special designs. with amendments prohibiting
the opening of the Fair on Sundays. and the sale
of intoxicating liquors on the grounds.
Unless something entirely unexpected shall
prevent it. Congress will adjourn within the next
fifteen days. It is just possible there may be a
serious hitch over the numerous amendments
which the Senate has added to the Sundry Civil
bill when that measure gets back to the House.
Some delay may also be Occasioned by the adop-
tion of legislation rendered necessary by the re-
port of the House Committee now engaged In
the connection of the Pinkertons
with the Pennsylvania labor trouble. if that re-
port can be made defore adjournment.