The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-01-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, ID. u, an. 10, 1910.
Have Treasury officials been redeeming coun.
terfeit money! Such is the natural presump-
tion after reading special report submitted
by Treasury in redemption OF $500 notes, series
of 1874. exceeds by .s5z 900 the total amount is
sued ofthat SERIES whereas 1t is usually the case
that the amount paid out for the redemption of
any series of notes is always less than the total
amount issued of that series, for the very nat
ural reason that many notes are burned up or
lost where they are never found. And what
adds to the probability Of counterfeit notes
having been redeemed by Treasury officials
with good and lawful money. is the tact that
there was a dangerous counterfeit $500 note
known to have been in circulation about 1874.
Treasurer Nebeker endeavors 10 explain by
aging that through an error notes of taother
series may have been counted as in that of 1874.
and expresses the opinion that this fact will be
clearly shown when the series of 1876 shall have
all been presented for redemption. 1t is very
naturalthat Mr.. Nebsker should try to make
this explanation, as MIR. Clcveland's Secretary
of the Treasury May feel that 1t will be his
duty te compel Mr.. Nebeker or his bondsmen
to make good that $64. 600.
The death of Senator Kenna, of West Vir.
ginia, which occurred Wednesday morning. al
though not unexpected, has cast gloom over
his colleagues, with whom he is . general favor
lie, both on account of his marked ability and
genial personality. His death makes the fourth
in the membership of the senate-Plumb, of
Kansas, in December. 1881 Barbour, Of Vir-
ginia, in May, 1s9S: and Gibson, Louisiana. in
December, 1s9a-since the Fifty-second Con-
gress began its frs t session. The funeral ser.
vices. which were conducted by Cardinal Glib
bons, assisted by Bishop Keane. were held In
the Senate chamber yesterday afternoon. and
the large attendance of prominent people at
tested the esteem in which Senator Kenna was
held. The remains left here for Vest. Virginia.
where the interrment will be made. last night,
accompanied by joint committee of Senators
and representatives.
The House committee on Banking and Cur
rency has favorably reported q bill repeating
the present law for the monthly purchase OF
silver bullion, and ii is understood that the
committee on rules will report special OF der
setting time for its consideration. but there il
doubt, even among those who favor the bill.
as to whether it can be brought to a vote. II
certainly cannot. unless majority of the House
will vote for q resolution amounting in effect TO
cloture rule. and even if it gets through the
House, Senator Teller has, on the floor of the
Senate given notice that the free coinage SEN
ators will not allow 1t to 60 through the Senate
On the whole. present indications to not favor
the adoption Of any silver legislation at this
session,
The House this week voted down Represent
alive Grains joint resolution changing the date
for the meeting of Congress to December.31, and
for the Inauguration of President to April 80.
Friends of the quarantine bill which passed
the Senate this week, are already actively at
work in the House, and they hope to get spec
ial order flor its early consideration reported
from the committee on Rules. The bill author
lies the President to suspend immigration and
the importation of merch aadise whenever he
deems it necessary to keep out contagious and
infectious diseases.
Ex-Speaker Reed has been keeping rather
quiet this session. but he made little speech in
the House this week. in which he stated truth
that ought to be carefully studied by the Dem
scratic leaders of the present as swell as Of the
next House. He said: -. If the House wants
to do business, it can always find plenty of time
to do it in if it does not want to do business. it
can find eternity not to do it in.'' Mr.. Reed has
said few things during his Congressional career
that your correspondent could endorse, but this
statement must be endorsed by every unpreju.
diced observer of the work Of Congress.
The House committee on the Columbian Ex
position 10 this week hearing both sides on the
proposed repeal of the law enacted at the last
session prohibiting the opening of the Worlds
Fair on Sunday. Both sides ARE presenting
strong arguments from their respective points
Of view. but 1t appears that the Sunday openers
are little ahead when one converses with
members of Congress. The committee will al.
most certainly report in favor of Sunday open
ing.
The sudden death of Gen, B. F. Butler, ON
Wednesday morning. at his residence in this
city, removes a man who has atstimes played a
conspicuous part in American affairs.