The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-02-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON. D. c.. Ian. ~. 1898.
The Fifty-second Congress may die in Sen
atoIial dead lock unprecedented in the annals
of Congress. if MIR. Harrison follows the advice
that is now beingsgiven him by prominent
members of his party az d nominates republi
can as successor to the late Justice Lamar. The
U. s. Supreme Court is in theory, if not in fact,
q non partisan body, and the death of Justice
Lamer leaves only two men-I hief Justice Full
Ter and Justice Field-on its bench who were
democrats before their appointments thereto;
after man takes his seat upon that bench he is
not supposed to have any politics. but the dem
ocratic party knows to itstcost what mistaken
idea that is 1t is only justice to the people
whose interests are constantly at stake in
questions coming before this court that its
membership should be as nearly divided be-
tween the political parties as possible. and for
that reason the democratic Senators are dis
posed to resort to every honorable method to
prevent the addition of another republican to
the six already sitting on the bench, and if MIR
Harrison nominates republican to the vacancy
they will if they can, deadlock the Senate. even
if il results in hanging up all legislation and
forcing an extra session of Congress. In view
OF Mr. Harrison's early retirement and the fact
that the new Justice cannot take his seat until
after President CleVeland's tenn begins. it
would only be common decency for Mr.. Harri-
SON to leave the vacancy for Mr.. Cleveland to
Inn and if it were not for the pressure that is
being brought to bear by his party associates it
is believed that he would adopt that manly
course. Should he nominate Attorney General
iller, who has been his personal preference
ior every vacancy in the Court that has occurred
during his term. it is believed that republican
Senators would be glad to see the nomination |
rejected. The greatest danger lies in the nom
ination of some republican like ex Senator |
Spooner, whose personal popularity with dem |
ocratic Senator might prevent their voting |
against his confirmation.
Secretary Fosters report on the condition of
the Treasury and his estimates OF the probable
receipts and expenditures for the remainder of
this and for the next fiscal year is at last in the
hands of the House Ways and Means committee
Iii far from satisfactory. as it is known that
the surplus which he figures out is obtained by
falling to deduct liabilities amounting to $46,-
600 OOO. which will have to be met in the period
cover ed by his estimates. and there may be
more yet. That the committee is now at work
trying to find out. and Mr.. Foster will probably
have to undergo rigid dcross-questioning.
An amusing episode took place in the House
one morning this week. just before the session
began Chief Wolf, of the Palouse tribe of
w Washington Indians. in all the glory of red
blanket and red paint, was taking in the sights
After strolling around The hall for a while he
walked up to the Speakers chair land taking a
eat therein calmly surveyed the members who
we're in their seats reading newspapers or
writing letters. While he was sitting there a