Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-12-22
From irregular Correspondent.1
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. IL. 1899.


Mr.. Cleveland will be private citizen
until the fourth Of next March, but his
will is nevertheless regarded as law by the
democrats in the present Congress, and
they are at this very moment waiting to
learn his pleasure before deciding upon
their programme for the session, and shak-
Ing and quivering for fear that some Of
them may be selected as the victim Of the
great mans enmity, as was Speaker Crisp
at the Reform Club banquet, in New York,
Saturday night-a most shameful and dis
graceful thing 1t was too, on the part Of
Mr.. Cleveland's friends. Senators German,
Brice and Carlisle, who went to New York
ostensibly to consult with members of the
democratic National Committee concern
ing the Senatorial situation In states In
which the control Of the legislatures is
still In doubt, really went there to get Mr..
Cleveland's ideas of what legislation
should be taken up and what let alone by
this Congress; and the result. of their visit
is to be laid before joint caucus of the
democrats of the House and Senate to be
held in few days. Mr.. Cleveland's New
York Reform Club speech is being carefully
studied by those democrats who are
anxious to stand well with the future dis
penser of federal patronage, and some of
them profess to be able to read between
the lines of that speech, which is facetious-
ly referred to here as ''Cleveland's first
message, more than can be seen by ordi-
nary people
The democrats are divided on the Sena-
torial question. The radical tariff smsshers
who claim Mr.. Cleveland as one of their
number, are in favor of resorting to extra
ordinary methods to obtain control of the
Senate In the next Congress, while those
who make loud profession of intended
tariff reform without really intending to
make any radical changes in the tariff sys-
TEN Of the country, under the leadership
of Senator Hill in the Senate and of Speak
er Crisp and Representative Springer in
the House, hope that all the doubtful leg
lslstures will send republican Senators,
thus preventing the democrats from CON
trolling the Senate and giving them an ex-
cuse for not carrying out their campaign
promises. Neither faction wants TO see
any more third party Senators elected
While probably majority of the promi-
nent republicans in Congress would rathe-
see the democrats control the Senate there
Is no disposition to help them elect Sena-
tors An important conference of repub-
hcans, among those present being Nation
a. committee men Clarkson Manley and
Estee, Gen. Alger, Representative johnson
of North Dakota; Treasurer Bliss of the
National committee; ex-senator Warner
Miller and Mr.. Geo. NJ. Pullman, was held
here two days ago to discuss the senatori-
al situation. 1t would be impolitic TO
give at this time the conclusion arrived at
Suffice 1t to say that some people may be
surprised at some OF the political develop
ments OF the near future. ExSpeaker
Reed, was riding up TO the Capitol this
morning in street car, which. by the way,
Is his favorite vehicle, when he was asked
what he thought of the legislative outlook.
He looked at his questioner critically for a
moment, and then in a characteristic drawl
SO peculiarly his own, he replied: well,
now that think of 1t, my democratic
friends have neglected or forgotten to take
me into their confidence so will not ven.
ture an opinion"
Congress got through its hrst week very
quietly, but it is probably only the calm
which usually precedes q storm as the
material for dozen Lee islatiye combats
is lying around loose at both ends OF the
Capitol, and only spark is needed to touch
things ot; and there are some very care
less individuals stalking around with fire.
brands in their hands
1t is already apparent that the movement
for the repeal of the present silver law
stands very poor show of accomplishing
anything at this session; 1t seems to be
utterly impossible for the opponents Of
the law to agree upon a substitute for it.
Senator Teller. who represents the silver
men, SAID on the subject The law is not
what it ought to be, and we have ALWAYS
looked upon it as temporary expedent,
but 1t affords some relief. Until sonnet hing
better and more permanent is given US the
silver men will naturally be opposed to its
repeal If the Brussels conference does
nothing looking to relief, then we must do
it. | am hopeful, however, that the con.
ference will accomplish something, al
though it seems probable that it will ad-
journ until spring.
The free trade wing of the democratic
party Is making quite determined fight
against Speaker CIisp's candidacy for the
Speakership of the next House. Until Sat
urday night the firing had all been from
masked batteries, but Mr. Crisp's shameful
treatment at the Reform Club banque,
may be considered as the beginning
OF an open fight against his candidacy.
1t is believed that Senator Hill will throw
the weight of his influence to Mr. Crisp
and that the result of the contest will prac-
tically settle in advance the tariff policy
of the democratic party in the next Con-
gress.