The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-12-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON. D. c.. Dec. 49, 1892
Senator Crisp's mail has been unusually large
this week, owing to the unfortunate occurrence
at the banquet of the New York Reform Club.
but he still maintains the dignifed position he
has occupied from the first. He has made no
complaint and will make none: and neither he
nor his friends have ever even for moment
entertained the belief that President-elect
Cleveland had any other connection with the
banquet than that of the chief guest of honor
AS usual. the Republicans have tried to make
mountains out of mole hills. and to make 1t
appear that the Democratic party was already
divided into two great factions. with the presi
dent elect at the head of one ana the speaker of
the House at the head of the other. 1t is the
wish to see the Democratic party divided that
is father to the false statement.
Almost sensation was created in the House,
when the army appropriation bill, which was
passed this week. was taken up for considera.
| ton. by amendment proposed by Repre-
sentative Anthony. of Texas, providing that no
payment of salary should be made from the ap-
preparation to any person receiving pension
or allowance from the government.
There Is bare possibility that the silver
question may be taken up in the House this
session, but it is not very probable. The sub
ject was discussed at a meeting of the House
| to proposition that the House be given an op-
portunity to vote on the bill proposing the re-
peal of the Sherman silver law. Mr. Bland said
he was perfectly willing. provided that it be
offered as an amendment to his free coinage
bill, now on the calendar. aud that afterwards
the House be given opportunity to vote on
| that measure. The committee will consider
this proposition further at its next meeting.
Senator Vests resolution providing for
commission to negotiate an agreement with
/ the five civilized tribes of Indians for them to
take up land in severalty and sell the remain
der to the government so that it might be
opened for settlement has been the basis of
| some interesting talk in the Senate. showing
that while there are differences of opinion as
| to just how they shall be abolished there is
| practical unanimity in the belief that the pres
| ent separate and independent government
| maintained by those Indians must give way to
territorial government. The Senators ex.
pl ess themselves as wishing that the logic of
the situation will SO impress itself upon the In
dians that they will themselves see the wisdom
of change. and there are some VINO are ready
| to support q movement towards forcing
change without regard to the wishes OF the In
dians.
The investigation of the present condition of
| the treasury and the probable future revenues
of the government under existing laws, which
the House has authorized the committee on
| Ways and Means to make. will not begin until
after the first of the year. as the committee has
| decided that it will save time and give a better
| basis to compute from to take their figures at
| the close of business on December 81, which
ends the first half of the fiscal year. Meanwhile
| members of the committee are hard at work to
| get themselves thoroughly posted in the mat
| ters with which the investigation will DEAL
] Secretary Foster has informed the House com
mittee on appropriations that there will surely
| be an available balance of as much of S20000000
in the treasury at the close of the current fiscal
year.
| Senator Daniel has offered a resolution in.
structing the Civil Service Commission TO pub
| lish pamphlet giving in detail the offie in
each department thai are in the classified SER
vice and those outside of it; also a statement
| showing which states already have their full
| quota of federal Office holders and the number
| of those required to make up the quota of those
which haven't their share. 1t is not probable
that the Republican Senators will allow the
| resolution to go through, but if the Information
asked for was in print lit would be mighty
| useful document to those Democrats who have
hankering to get on Uncle Sans pay roll.
| Notwithstanding the nearness of the end of
| this administration, Mr.. Harrison finds no diff
cuty in getting Republicans to accept appoint
ment to office. Perhaps it is because they think
| that Republicans in prominent offices are to be
very scarce for generation to come that they
are willing to accept office now. even when
| they know that they can only retain them for
| few months.
| The anti option bill is slowly dragging along
in the Senate There are daily speeches on it,
huti r. has -
hard to say anything new about it.
| A bill to increase the tax whisky from 80
cents to 81 25 gallon has been introduced in
| the House.