The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-08-10
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
(Frpn our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Aug. Z, '93.

Well, the extra session of the
first Congress democratic in both
branches for more than thirty years
is in session. There are empty
chairs in both House and Senate,
but the attendance is as large as
was expected on the first day, un,
der the circumstances. The reor-
ganization of the Senate was &C
complished in March and that of
the House, with the exception of
the minor officials, was decided by
Mr.. Cleveland many months ago,
so that there was really no induce
ment to cause a large attendance
for the first few days of the session.
Never did a Congress come to-
gether in which the majority in both
branches was so divided. There is
not one single important question
to come before Congress upon which
the democrats are united. They
are apparently hopelessly divided
on the financial question, although
the strong personality of the Presi
dent, backed by the patronage at
his disposal, may be sufficient to
get some legislation through if the
administration managers are shrewd
enough to have Il financial bill
framed that will meet the views of
the Republican Senators and Rep
ntatlves-overture have been
made to the Republicans, but they
will make no pledges IN advance.
wisely reserving the right to cast
their votes for the measure which
in their Judgment may be best for
the country, without regard to its
political effect.
The division upon the tariff
among the Democrats is not so
sharply defined as that upon finance
although it may become so later
on. There are three tariff wings
to the Democracy in Congress-one
in favor of postponing the whole
tariff business until the regular ses-
sion, without stating exactly what
they favor doing when 1t is taken
up; another favoring the immedi-
ate framing and passing of free
trade bill or, as they are pleased to
call it, ga tariff bill for revenue
only" and the third wing wants to
frame Il bill that will retain a linn
tied amount of protection, some
thing about midway between the
old Mills bill and the Mckinley
law. The Republicans have not
changed their position on this ques-
ton, late events and those occur
ring every day in the industrial
world having convinced the few
among them who had doubts that
an absolutely protective tariff is
necessary'to the continued prosper
ity of this country. Consequently
they will resist all attempts to
change the present law, although
they may if an opportunity shall
occur to thereby defeat the free
trade wing-which is the largest
of the de ocracv vote with the
moderate protection democrats.
Other matters upon which divi-
sions exist among the Democrats
are, the proposed repeal of the ten
per cent tax on state bank currency
with It's consequent flood of wild
cat, homemade money; the pro-
posed income tax. and the present
pension policy of the administra-
ton.
The Republicans are particularly
fortunate in having a number of the
ablest parliamentarians and hard
est all-round legislative fighters in
the party in the present House.
For instance, no twelve Democrats
in the House would be able to cope
with the Republican big four, as
Reed, of Maine; Burrows, of Mich
igan; Henderson, of Iowa, and Can
non, of Illinois, are already called,
in running debate, and there are
a number of other hard hitters in
the House minority, who have
proven their ability in many hard
fought legislative battles to stand
up for what they believe to be right.
These men will present solid front
at all times to the divided Democ-
racy. knowing that it is upon them
that the great commercial and in
dustrial interests of the country
rely to keep the legislation of the
Democratic majority within reason
able bounds.
Senator German is the latest
prominent Democrat to join Repre-
sentative Holman in protesting
against the pension policy of the
administration, and declaring that
if persisted IN it Will wreck the
Democratic party. From the talk
of Republican Senators and Repre-
sentatives there will be some lively
times in Congress about this pen
sion business. The Republicans