Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-03-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, March J, 1S9:

WASHINGTON, March 3, 1892.
The Democratic leaders of the house are
trying to patch up "a compromise agree
ment that will stave off the open rupture
which has been threatened for weeks be-
tween the silver and anti-silver Democrats.
Having failed in their attempts to persuade
the silver Democrats to allow the silver
bill to GO over until after the presidential
election, they are now at work upon the
anti-silver Democrats with IA view to allow
ing the free coinage bill to be passed with
as little debate as possible after the free
binding -twine bill is disposed OF by the
house, and although the antis have not
yet fully agreed with that programme, it
looks as ii they would have to do SO. un-
less they can get the Republicans to vote
with them. A Democratic caucus was held
but no attempt was made to do anything
definite.
Democratic senator's are beginning to
show considerable opposition to Senator
Paddoek's pure food bill, and, as usual
with Democratic opposition, it has very
fIimsy foundation, if indeed it has any at
all. Senator Bate, OF Tennessee, made a
pretense Of having discovered that a great
big political machine, with thousands OF
active agents in every section OF the coun-
try, was concealed in the bill. Senator
Paddock made short work of that by call
ing attention to the fact that only $780,
600 was asked for by Secretary Rusk to
carry out the provisions of the bill for the
first year, sum that would not employ
Coke, of Texas, then stated his objections
principally because he did not think it
would prevent the adulteration of food.
Senator Paddock regards the passage of
the bill by the senate as certain.
The senate adopted a resolution, Offered
by Senator Sherman calling upon the sec.
retary of agriculture for copy OF the
port made by the special agent who expert
mented in the production OF rain by artifi-
cial means last year. Secretary Rusk
hopes the resolution will bring the report,
which he has not yet received from the
aforesaid special agent.
The nomination of William r. Gilbert, OF
Oregon. to be L. S. circuit judge for the
9th judicial district. which was sent to the
senate last week, fills the bench of the new
circuit court.
The senate postoffice committee is favor
ably inclined towards attaching an amend
ment to the postofiiee appropriation bill
appropriating 5000, 900 to enable the post
master general to make a test of the free
delivery system in rural districts. The
idea is strongly urged by representatives of
National Grange and other farmer organi-
zstions, and is also warmly approved by
business men.
But little Importance is attached in con-
gressonal circles to the st. Lonis confer
ence, it being so apparent that the south
will remain in control Of Tammany Hail.
which 10 now running the national Demo-
cratic party. that the prediction is made
that thousands of Republicans in the
northwest who have been misled into join
ing the third party movement will return
to support the national Republican ticket
| this year.
Representative Sprnger's fiop from Cleve-
land to Hill shows the way the Demoera tic
wind is blowing. Hill has certainly made
| rapid gains in congress, notwithstanding
| the statement, which should be taken with
a good deal of caution, that Brce and
4
Goi man had withdrawn their adherence.
Many believe that this statement has been
put ont for the purpose of heading of the
cry of "bossism, and that the triple alli-
snce is still in existence.
Speaking OF the Hill sentiment, "A Repub
lican member Of congress met Democratic
friend, who has been loud Cleveland
shouter, with the greeting: well, yom
party seems rapidly drifting Hillwards.
"Spell the first syllable little different,
slumly returned the Cleveland man, ''and
will agree with you"
The senate adopted a resolution Offered
by Senator Sherman asking the president
il not incompatible with public interests
to furnish the senate with ii copy OF til,
proceedings OF the recent conference of Sec
rotary Blaine with the Canadian reciproc
ity commissioners.