Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-02
ESPECIAL TELEGRAPHIC LETTER.
BUREAU OF THE DISPATCH,
WASHINGTON ID. C Feb


WASHINGTON, d. c.. Feb. L {
The House has frittered away another
day in discussion of rules which were prac-
tically adopted week ago. The time is
worse than wasted, because it is spent in
indulgence in the silliest of partisan rant
ing, or chatting which occasionally deterio-
rates, if one can imagine deterioration pos
sible, into very offensive personalities.
Representative Catchings, of Mississippi,
who has had charge of the time and the dis
cussion on the Democratic side, seems to
have no desire to end the aimless discus
sion, or not to know how to do it. He is a
pleasing gentleman of very meager abilities,
who was given a place on the Committee on
Rules by Speaker Crisp on account of his
steadfast support of that gentleman in his
famous battle against Mills. For the same
reason he, and not Mr.. McMillin, the other
Democrat of tie Rules Committee beside
Mr.. Catchings and Speaker Crisp, was
given charge of the discussion in the House.
The Field Given Up to catchings.
Anyone adapted for the work would have
forced final vote last week, but Catchings
either does not know how to force the dis
CuSSlOu VI t1Sc IC 81 tulONs knS
and notoriety his position gives him that he
is glad to keep the aimless babble going on
as long as there are babblers desirous of
airing their shallow wits or delivering
themselves of partisan driveL. Mr.. Springer
and Mr.. Holman, leaders by virtue of the
chairmanships presented to them in reward
for services to Speaker Crisp, seem TO have
abandoned the field to Catchings
Holman enjoys the waste of time. The
more DAYS lost at the beginning of the ses-
sion the fewer the days left for legislation
outside of necessary appropriation bills
toward the close of the session. Meanwhile
committees are knocking at the door of the
House with bills which thev are ready to
report, and the House responds that nothing
can be done until the rules, decided upon
absolutely by the powers, in control, are
adopted by a formal vote of the House, and
all the time the little fellows of the body
are using the time in fve-minute speeches
which refer to everything under the sun ex-
cepting the rules.
Crisp Unable SO Save Time.
The Speaker himself should find a rem
edv, but he presides in a hstless way, as
though he was half dazed. Possibly, also,
he is in the conspiracy to waste time.
Mr. Egan, Minister of Santiago, has been
a target for deal of musketry in the news
papers, but the first official shot was fired
at him to-day by Mr.. Arnold, of Missouri,
in a resolution respectfully asking the
President to recall Mr. Egan in the inter-
ests of peace and friendship between Chile
and the United States. The resolution was
referred to the Committee on Foreign At
fairs, and will probably remain there, as
Mr. Blount, Chairman of the committee, is
SO pleased to find himself in familiar COM
rrirh RIoipa ond he
President that he is quite as willing to do
the bidding of those gentlemen as though
thew were President and Secretary chosen
from his own party.
If, however the resolution be permitted
to reach the House, Mr.. Egan's ears will
certainly have disagreeable sensation, not
withstanding the long distance which separ
ates him from Washington. Aside from his
mistakes Minister, he is Republican,
and Democrats do not easily forgive an
Irishman who allies himself with that party.
No matter what the reason, it is true that
Democrats generally look upon the advent
OF a new Irishman in America as an ad-
ditional vote for the Democratic party, and
the failure of Mr.. Egan to properly place
himself politically possibly adds some in
spiration to the desire of Mr.. Arnold and
other Democrats to rap him over the head.
solicitude for Political Enemies.
1t would not be surprising, now that the
danger of war is over, if the President, Sec
retaries Blaine and Tracy, and Mr. Egan,
would all receive the earnest attention of
the Democrats. l know that much solicitude
IS felt for them among the majority of the
House and the minority of the Senate.
am requested from many points of the |
compass to devote paragraph to bill in |
troduced few days ago by Mr. Oates, of |
Alabama, in the House, and also by some |
one IN the Senate, where it was referred to |
the Committee on Judiciary and promptly |
reported thence by Mr.. Hoar, without |
amendment. 1t is entitled can act to |
define and punish blackmailing." 1t |
provides that any person within the exclu- |
slye jurisdiction of the United States who |
shall levy or attempt to levy blackmail on |
any other person, by making. threatening,
or attempting to make any disclosure. oral or |
written, or by publication injurious to the |
character of any person, for the purpose of |
obtaining money or any other benefit or for
the purpose OF ridicule or revenge. shall he
guilty OF mlsdemeanor. The penalty is
fixed at flne not exceeding 81 600 and i'm
prisonment not exceeding one wear. at the
discretion OF the court.
Targets for Much Criticism,
The bill and its sponsor, Mr.. Oates have
been the targets of much severe or;3;n;,',e
for several days, and Mr. Oates seems n on
joy the notoriety it gives him, II i
asserted that it is intended to curtail the
liberty of the press and place obstacles in
the way OF an honest and philanthropic ex-
preston of opinion. That ridicule should
be made misdemeanor is thought to he
going step too far, and at first glance one
would be inclined to agree heartily with
the censors of Mr.. Oates
Under this law, ii L should say that Mr.
Oates is weli-meanIng gentleman, but
whose abilities are most brilliantly diS'
played in making speeches to which nobody
listens, and in interposing parliamentary
obstacles in the way of proposed excellent |
legislation, and that his most distinguishing
Literary production is a bill introduced by
him which, though it contain but one sent.
ence, lie capable of half dozen confiictino
constructions, Mr.. Oates would doubtless