The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1893-10-27
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Oct. Goth. 1893.
From our regular Correspondent

From our regular Correspondent
I Never was there more distracted
body of men than the democratic
members Of the Senate are at this
writing. This distraction has existed
more or less from the first day of the
extra session, but the absurd ending
of the test OF physical endurance order
| ed by Mr.. Cleveland in his childlike
belief that vote on the Voorhees, un-
conditional repeal bill could thereby
be forced, has made it worse than ever.
jConsultatiou after consultation is held
but they seem afraid to make a def
mite move. Some of them are afraid
lof their constituents, some of each
other, some of Mr.. Cleveland, and
all of the republicans. The physical
endurance fight was won by the op-
ponents of unconditional repeal, just
as everybody knew it would be, be-
cause of the inability of the repealers
to keep quorum continuously in the
Senate, and the efforts 10 settle the
matter by 9 compromise may fail
because majority of the Senate cam
| iloC OF Will not agree.
The distraction has also apparently
reached the administration, which is
beginning to wabble in very suspi-
cious manner While Mr.. Cleveland
shouts in the ear of Senator Voorhees,,
keep up the fight for unconditional
repeal" Secretary Carlisle prepares
compromise measure which he has
shown to several Senators and told
them that the President would ap-
prove it if he could do no better. This
compromise, which may at any hour
be formally offered as an amendment
to the Voorhees, bill, or may not be Of
fered at all, is a last and desperate at
tempt of the administration to have a
say in financial legislation. 1t pro-
vides for the purchase of 90O0O,OOO
ounces of silver during the next four
years; for the repeal of the tax on
state bank currency; for the coinage
of seigniorage now in the Treasury,
and for authority for the Secretary of
the Treasury, as his discretion, TO issue
to strengthen the gold reserve fund
1t is not believed that single republ-
can Senator will support this compro-
mise, unless the clause repeating the
state bank tax be struck out. There
is another compromise measure under
consideration which finds consider
able support because it would, if en-
acted into a law, give the people
chance to pass upon that portion of it
nj oil f1xr
before it goes into effect 1t provides
for the repeal of the purchasing clause
of the silver law to take effect July l,
1895; for the coinage of the seignior.
age in the Treasury; for the retire
ment of all notes other than coin GER
tifcates below $40, and that no coin
certificate above So, shall be issued 1t
also amends the present law for the
issue of bonds SO as to limit the time
for which any bonds issued may run to
five years and the interest to three
per cent. OF. the two the last is un-
questionably the best.
The democratic Senators were con-
siderably alarmed on Saturday by a
rumor that the republican Senatoss
were tired OF doing nothing and intend
ed to 60 home, leaving them to main
tain a quorum or to adjourn. Careful
inquiry among.the republicans proved
the rumor to be without foundation
further than that they are tired of
doing nothing. That is true. They
have right to be tired; they are not
consulted about any OF the contemplate
ed compromises, but they are prepared
to do their duty and will support any
amendment that meets their approval
regardless OF whether it may come
from administration or anti-adminis-
tration democrats
The democratic members OF the
House Way and Means committee
meet several times week in room
way down in the crypt of the Capitol
and spend several hours. 1t is alleged
that this time is being put in on the
preparation of the new tariff bill, but
this is far from certain rs there are
numerous good reasons for the belief
that the members of this committee
will have little Or nothing to do with
the preparation of the tariff bill which
| will at some time in the future be pro-
duced as their work, but will in reality
| be the work of men under the imme-
date personal direction of Mr.. Cleve-
land. Chairman Wilson is gradually
extending the time in his public pre-
dictions Of when the bill will be re-
ported to the House. In his latest in
terview he says it will not be reported
before the first week in December. 1t
| will be reported whenever the boss
directs that it be reported and not
before, and just when that will be it is
doubtful whether amy one, except the
boss himself, knows.
Mrs. Gen. Grant and her daughter.
Mrs. Nellie Grant S.rtoris, spent last
week in Washington, and although
there was no official reception given
them-they didn't wish it-they were
entertained very pleasantly by their
many friends, al OF whom were glad
to learn that Mrs. Satoris intends in
the near future returning with her
three children to make her permanent
home in America; also, that Mrs.
Grant hopes to purchase home for
herself in this city