The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-07-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, July 16, 1894.

Now, that the strike excitement is happily
over public attention is centered upon the
daily meetings of the democratic conference
on the tariff bill. There is some disappoint-
ment among democrats that after an entire
weeks work no agreement has been reached.
However, considerable progress has been
made, and it is hoped that partial, if not
complete report can be made TO the House
and Senate this week Democrats are m ore
worried over the failure to reach an agree
ment than over the bluff made by Senator
Hale in introducing resolution calling for
information as to why the republican con-
ferees had not been invited to attend the
meetings. In their anxiety to get to work
the democratic conferees neglected to follow
the usual course aud invite the republican
conferees to the first formal meeting, but it
was merely form that was overlooked. 1t
is democratic disagreement and it must and
will be settled among democrats without re-
publican interference. 1t is not to aid in
settling the disagreements that the republi-
cans wish TO attend the conference, but to try
to prevent their being settled.
Just as soon as an agreement can be
reached that will be ratified by the House and
Senate Congress can adjourn, as the Senate,
by an unusual spirit, has passed nine of the
appropriation bills and Gas the other FIVE 10
good shape to be passed this week. That
will leave the decks clear for acfiou on the
conference report on the tariff bill, and
everything now points TO adjournment By
the first of August. The only thing that
can upset these calculations is the failure Of
the conference to reach an agreement that
will be accepted by both Senate and House,
and that is not expected.
A strong effort is being made to get the
Nicaragua canal bill passed at this session of
Congress, but it may be crowded out. The
House Commerce committee is trying 10 get
the committe on Rules to set aside two or
three days for the discussion of the canal
bill, which Chairman Wise, of the FIRST
important bills that have been before Con-
gress for years. There are number Of
democrats in the House, who are on principle
opposed to the governments engaging in
any such business as proposed by this bill,
aud while they are not probably numerous
enough to defeat the bill on vote they are
numerous enough to prevent vote being
taken unless special rule is reported limit
ing debate.
SO many requests come TO Sergeant-at-
Arms Snow, of the House, from editors and
politicians, asking whether certain members
have drawa mileage for both the extra and
regular sessions of Congress and whether this
or that member has drawn full pay since the
law to dock members for absence was reviv-
ed, that be has had a circu lar letter prepared
politely declining to furnish the information
asked for unless instructed to do so by the
House. 4 considerable number of members
of the House have reason TO feel grateful to
Col. Snow for uot opening the books of his
Office to the men who are trying TO find
reasons for leaving them at home.
1t seems to come natural to some people TO
misunderstood lhings. case in point was
the uuanimity of certain labor leaders in
announcing after recent interview with the
President that Mr.. Cleveland bad agreed to
appoint commission to arbitrate the dis
pute which brought about the late disastrous
and ceslly-to all concerned, and to many
not directly concerned-railroad strike 1t is
not Hat,ering TO the intellect of the before
mentioned labor leaders if this misunder-
standing was no, Intentional. The law
under which President Cleveland agreed to
appoint two commissioners 10 act with the
u S. Commissioner Of Labor in making an
investigation, does not give him authority to
appoint arbitrators, except under conditions
not existing in this case, and the commission
! to be appointed will only have authority to
| interstate railways. 1t cannot investigate
| than it could investigate a strike Of the farm
hands of John Smith. President Cleveland
will appoint this commission because be
used as basis for recommendations he
intends to make on the subject in his next
annual message TO Congress. He recognizes
i, as subject that needs national legislation,
not in the interest of the corporations, nor
of the labor organizations, but of the whole
country, which is incommoded and in the
end has to pay the bills for the periodical
strikes
Although :here are reports TO the CONTRARY
there is no reason to doubt that President
Cleveland will sign the bill forthe admission
of Utah to statehood, which is now in his
hands.
Senator Allen of Nebraska told the Senate
on Saturday that it was untrue as stated in
the newspapers that had been downed in
wrestling match with John Barleycorn.
For Over Fifty Years.