The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-06-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, June ls, 1894.

udU p1VtAlu0ut uSN'oo'~>ot ''''~-o ~
passage Of a bill introduced by Repre-
sentative Coombs. Of N. Y. and now
being considered by g. subcommittee of
the House committee on Banking and
Currency, would be very desirable
thing. The bill provides for the ap-
poiutment of a non-partisan currency
commission, which shall devote the rest
of this year to investigation and study Of
the subject and then report to Congress
bill for complete banking. coinage
and currency system which shall come
nearer to meeting the demands Of the
country than what we have at present.
The authors Of this bill are c. N. Jor-
dan, u: s. Sub-treasurer at New York
city, and W. L. Trenholm, who was
Controller Of Currency under the first
Cleveland administration. both Of whom
have appeared before the committee to
argue 10 favor of its being favorably
reported to the House. In view of the
difference of opinion on this subject
among democrats in Congress, so radi-
cal that it has 50 far defested all attempts
at financial legislation, it would seem
that this bill is one upon which men Of
all opinions could uuite It could GER
tainly do nc harm, and, if the commits
sion was properly made up. might do
much good.
Senator Harris has. to grit his teeth
and bear the unexpected delay in reach
ing a final vote on the tariff bill as best
he eau, being unable to get and keep
forty-three Senators on the floor con-
tinuously in order to force things along
faster. The republicans took advantage
of this to stretch the debate on the wool
schedule out of all proportions and at
this writing they are threatening to
illibuster against taking vote upon it
until wool is taken FROM the free list, aud
the charge is made, but l will not voucb
for its correctness, that they have been
Informed by several democrats of their
willingness, if it can be done by agree
meut, instead of a recorded vote, to
help them get small duty on wool.
The attempt of local paper to get 3
little notoriety by iusinuating that Rep
resentative Richardson, Of Tenn, had
engaged in real estate transactions that
we're not entirely right and proper. With
representatives of street railway syn
dicate that is seeking Congressional al
legislation, vas a failure even before
Mr.. Richardson had taken the unneces-
sary trouble to make an explanation to
the House. The man or newspaper
whica attacks the integrity Of men like
Mr.. Richardson must present absolute
proofs. not vague insinrations, before
the public's attention can be secured.
If the evidence taken by the House
committee on Naval Affairs can be
substautiated. the government should
at oacs cancel the contract with the
Carnegie companies for armor plate for
our war ships. and begin suits for the
recovery of every dollar that has been
paid to those concerns for plates that are
DOT what they purport to be. This
would. of course. result in delaying the
completion of those ships yet to be
armored, but it would be better that
they never be completed than that the
crookedness which has been testified to
should be allowed to 60 uopunlshed.
The committee is still taking testl-
mony 1t will probably be necessary
to remove plates from number OF the
ships 10 order to ascertaiB whether
witnesses have told the truth or not,
and that will consume considerable
time, and make it impossible for the
committee to conclude the investigation
in time to report during the present ses'
sion Of Congress.
Every Senator at present in Wash
ington, except Quay, Of Pa declared
under oath that he neither specu:ated
in nor gave information to others to be
nsed 10 speculatlng 10 the stock OF the
sugar trust. Quay says be has been
specializing in sugar stock whenever be
felt like it aud that be is going tc
continue. The evidence did not sur.
prise any sensible person, but all the
same it was wise in the investigating
committee to examine all the Senators
beginning with themselves; it closes
the mouths of the buncombe speak
ers and writer's who have beer
continually asking "wby not swear
the Senator'S ?'' The only features il
the examination Of the Senators thai
varied from the stereotyped denia
Of the eight leading questions asked
enough to arouse any special interes
we're the confession Of Senator Quay
aud the statement Of Senator Ransom
that he had day or two before
learned that his son had during the
month Of April speculated in Wash
ington bucket shop to the extent o
S45. and that $25, of it had beer
nIaced nnon Tho etonk-of rho enoa,