The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-08-17
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, Aug. Is, '93

IL Sbhl 70 III WI ii al wv l'iAiNU
tons of a very earnest Congress.
There is deep gravity about it
that other Congresses have not had.
There is a sense of responsibility
depicted in the contracted brows of
the congressman and he absorbed
expression of their countenances.
The punctuality and attendance of
the mem bers of the House is some
thing remarkable. The almost
universal topic of discussion is
finance and for once they appear to
be intent upon what they are here
for.
The silver debate is in the House.
1t will rage until August 20. Ac-
cording to the arrangement per-
fected between the factions, all of
the free-silver ratios will first be
voted upon in turn. AS last re-
sort of the free silver men, the
Bland Allison act will come IN for
debate and ballot, and last of all
the proposition for unconditional
repeal will be put to the test. The
silver men contend that a vote will
never be taken upon the proposition
to repeal that one of the ratios is
certain to be first adopted. The
repeal men are equally confident.
There is nothing more uncertain at
present than what the action of the
Senate will be on the question of
the repeal of the Sherman law, but
the impression is very general that
an unconditional repeal of the law
can be got through the House by a
good majority if there is discreet
management Of the administration
forces.
The absence of Mr.. Cleveland
from the city at this time has caused
a great deal of talk, and in some
quarters there is disposition to
associate it with the situation IN
Congress. 1t is but just to say,
however, that this idea is by no
means general. Mr.. Cleveland's
personal published statement of the
reasons for his departure CORE
spends exactly with what would
anyhow have been the impression Of
all those who know what "a strain he
has been under since his Inaugural
ton. There is probably no man in
the United States, no matter what
his private business troubles might
be in these hard times, who has been
under greater mental and physical
strain than has the Executive.
There Is no doubt that he IS worn
down and that his health has suf-
fered greatly.
A great many narrow minded
partisans have been tickling them
selves with delight in anticipation
of the "fun that Tom Reed is going
to have" now that Congress has
buckled down to work How he
will culver with delight over the
situation, how he will throw the
country into conclusive merrlment
at every sign OF legislative distress
and difficulty. Those who know
the big fat man, those who have
caught some insight into his pur-
poses and methods, can afford to
smile at the ignorance displayed in
such chatter. They know that he
is neither a foolish clown nor a
heartless ghoul. He is past master
of epigram and satire. Mr.. Reed
is, withal, something of patriot.
His wit is the embroidery upon a
solid fabric of intellect. His satire
is often the airy froth that beads
the strong liquor of philosophy.
AS | saw him yesterday pacing the
pavement in front of his hotel, he
presented massive picture of deep
thought and seriousness. Mr.. Reed
realizes the present situation. lie
will find no food for shallow Jest in
the calamity that now threatens
the nation, One may well be sorry
for the creature who is so light of
mind and so arid of heart that he
can look for either fun or vengeance
in this dire emergency, and it is a
good deal of a mistake to class
"Tom Reed" with the carrion-crows
and harlequins of politics.
An interesting feature Of the
Treasury is the conscience Fund"
which was opened by the register to
show from time to time the receipts
of money by the government
from unknown persons. These
moneys are converted into the gen.
eral treasury as miscellaneous re-
ceipts and may be used like other
assets of the government for any
purpose that Congress may deem
proper. The account was opened
in 1911, and up to last April there
has been received an aggregate
amount Of S266, 0S9,5G. Remit
tances are received almost weekly,
and, as a rule, the letters are not
signed. Frequently they are for
warded by clergymen at the request