West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1893-09-28

Our Weekly Letter from the Home Of
''Unclc Sam."

Our Weekly Letter from the Home Of
'Unclc Sam."
Special Correspopfe &c OF the Argus.
WASHINGTON, ID. O.,
Sept. 20, 1898.
The humiliation OF Tom Reed
and his lieutenant, Burrows, of
Michigan, when they learned that
the Democrats of the House pro-
posed to pat an effcctual quietus
upon Republican fillibustering
against the reporting of the Tucker
bill for the repeal OF all laws
authorizing the presence of u. s.
officials at elections, was pleasing
sight to Democratic eyes. Because
the Democrats of the House i'm the
adoption Of regular rules had been
extremely lenieRt towards tho mi.
nority the Republicans assumed
that no check would be put on their
fillibustering. Thoy were given a
free rope for awhile because there
was not a quorum of Democrats
psesent, but as soon as quorum
of Democrats was on hand they
were effcctually squclched by an
order reported from the committee
on Rules and the bill was reported
to the House. This order was not
the result of any assumption of
power by single individual, as
were the rulings of Tom Reed when
he was Speaker; it was authorized
by Democratic caucus, as such
things always shonld be. The Re-
publicans are te be allowed to name
any reasonable length of time DUR
ing which the debate on this oil
shall be carried on, but they are not
to DC allowed to fllibuster against
vote upon it after legitimate debate
has been exhausted.
So
Several times this week the Senate
has aroused public expectation by
appearing to be on the eve of the
final contest over the Voorhees,
repeal bill, But the end is not vet.
Senator Mills, of Texas. made one
OF the strongest speeches of the
week, in favor of repeal Senator
voorhees, made characteristic
explanation Of his position, in
answer TO criticisms because he has
not forced a vote. calling the atten-
tion OF the country to ,he fact that
1T is simply impossible to force a
vote under the present rules of the
Senate, rules which have not been
materially changed for more than
eighty years, and the Republican
Senators, for and against the bill,
had regular monkey and parrot
time among themselves. 1t is
expected that the attempt to reach
vote by means of continuous
session Of the Senate will be made
IN few days, fthe daily siltings
have already been lengthened) and
II that fails the bill will either have
to DO abandoned or a compromise
reached by concessions on both
sides be adopted. President Cleve-
land is still confident that the bill
can DO passed and for that reason
declines to consider anything in the
shape OF a compromise.
-
-Claus Spreckels, the sugar king,
was in Washington few DAYS ago
for the purpose of getting his
fingers in the Hawaiian pie, but he
cut short bis stay when he learned
that the whole matter was already
settled so far as the administration
- concerned, and that President
Cleveland rs only waiting for the
Senate to dispose Of the Voorhees,
bill before he sends vt special
mcssage on Hawaii. accompanied
BY Dir. Blouns's reports.
-
In nominating William b. Horn
blower, Of New York, to succeed
TO the yacancy in the Supreme
Court left by the death Of Justice
Blatchford, and j. j.. Van Allen. Of
Rhode Island, to be Ambassador to
Italy, President Cleveland sprung a
double surprise on the politicians.
The fitness Of both gentlemen for
the positions to which they have
been nominated is conceded by all.
4 Al -