Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-02-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, February 8, 1894.

WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, February 9, 1894.
1t is gratifying to note that the Demo-
Gratis in congress have at last realized the
benefit of united party action. No man
in congress has right to expect that
every measure he is called on to support
will be entirely in accord with his per-
sonal ideas. If every member of con-
gress should adopt that idea legislation
of any sort would be impossible. Long
years of power in congress taught the
Republicans the value of organization
and unity, and the lesson will have to
be learned by any party that hopes to
accomplish important legislation. The
Democrats in the house made a gooi
start by passing the Wilson bill and
followed it up this week by the adoption
of the McCreary Hawaiian resolution
which condemns the acts of ex-Minister
Stevens and endorses President Cleve-
lands policy. Ike Democrats in the
senate are not entitled to graduate in
unity, but they got together this week
and passed the house bill for the repeal
of the odious Federal election laws. If
they would get together on everything
and stay together it would be greatly to
their credit and to the advantage of the
Democratic party.
Representative BANDS bill for the
coinage of the seigniorage is now before
the house, but as it has no order from
the committee ON rules behind it and
the anti-slver men are refusing to vote
to make quorum there is some doubt
as to whether it will be able to maintain
the right of way until disposed of.
Countless misrepresentation have been
made of the attitude of President Cleve-
land and Secretary Carlisle towards this
measure. Neither of them have publicly
spoken one word either for or against
the bill, although Secretary Carlisle did
point out one particularly Objectionable
feature in the bill to Mr.. Bland-that
providing for the issue of silver certif-
Gates in advance of the coinage of the
seigniorage-and Mr.. Bland expressed
his Willingness to change the bill SO as
to make the certificates issuable on the
coinage of the silver.
In deciding not to grant hearings on
the tariff bill the senate committee on
inanca daanly ofapIaJ ~ F,r, r,o,,lo,,s,,
who had come to Washington to instruct
the committee and air their views, but
the Democrats on that committee in so
voting were acting as they believe from
the information received, the way the
entire country wished them to act
From north, south, east and west came
in chorus "whatever is to be done let it
done quickly" and the denial of further
hearings on the tariff means the saving
of several weeks time in the consdera-
ton of the bill in the senate. Senator
Voorhees, sized up the situation correct
ly when he said: Prompt and speedy |
action on pendning legislation is requir-
ed at this time by every patriotic and
business consideration"
This being fact acknowledged by
business men who oppose as well as
those who favor the Wilson bill, the
Republican senators will do well to con-
slider the matter carefully before they
attempt to carry out the obstructive pro-
gramme which is now being prepared
by their abest parlimentarians in the
senate. The capitalists of the country
are only waiting definite settlement of
the tariff question to invest their money
and lnaugurate period of prosperity |
for everybody, not for comparatively
few fortunate individuals, and woe be
unto the Republican party if its repre-
sentatives in the senate postpone that
prosperity by factious opposition to a
measure that they know they cannot in
the end defeat.
President Cleveland must enjoy read |
ing the contradictory fairy stories that
are daily printed in the metropolitan
papers concerning his alleged actions
to secure the confirmation of the nomi |
nation of Mr.. Peckham to the supreme
court. What Mr.. Cleveland is really
doing in that connection can be authen-
tically stated without any violation of
confidence in one woodworking. AS
the supreme court has adjourned for
month there is no specia! occasion for
haste in disposing of the nomination.
The subcommittee of the senate com.
mittee on foreign relations has conclud-
ed its Hawaiian investigation, so far as
the taking of testimony is concerned.
The reports of the sub committee will
shortly be submitted to the full com
mittee for action thereon, Although
there is some talk about three reports
there is no real foundation for the belief