The aegis & intelligencer., 1894-03-02
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, Feb. % Harmony among
the Democratic Senators on the tariff bill is not
yet as complete as it might be, although con-
eessions have been made that it was hoped
would secure it. Having held the bill until
they could see no prospect of benefit to be
gained by further delay, the subcommittee
this morning submitted il to the full Finance
committee, which i'll turn submitted 1t to II
caucus of Democratic Senator's not for the
purpose of compelling any Senator to support
it, but for sort OF family consultation at
which all complaints could be heard and every
body could have Il chance to aid in bringing
about that harmonious action that will be ah-
solutely necessary to pass the bill, even allow
ing that the Populist Senators will vote for it,
us they say they will because of the retention
of the income tax. The caucus appears to
have had good effect and Senators who have
been worrying are now smiling over the pros
pects for Democratic unity.
1t is expected that the Finance committee
will at once report the bill to the Senate, al
though there are indications of an intention on
the part of the Republican members OF the
committee to attempt to delay action on the
plea that they should be given time to prepare
a minority report against the bill. They may
be given several days to prepare their report,
but the Democratic sentiment is so strongly in
favor of prompt and speedy action that their
time is bound to be cut short. They should
not really be given day, as the report can be
made at any time after the bill has been re-
ported.
Much uneasiness is felt among Senators at
the reports concerning the condition of Sena-
ton Vance's health, which is now said to be
continually getting worse. He has not been
able to perform any duties Mt this session, but
his friends-that includes every one who ever
came in contact with him, are loath to believe
that his illness is hopeless, as press dispatch eS
report it to be.
1t has been apparent ever since this Congress
got down to business that there was weak
spot in the rules of the House, but it was not
until the long contest for the quorum to vote
on the Bland bill for the coinage of the seign-
forage, the end of which is not in sight yet,
showed the hclplessness of the House in the
lG.a ~
became fully aroused to the necessity of a
change. But they are now. and nearly lou
Democratic members have signed u call for a
caucus to be held as soon as the Bland bill is
disposed of. to decide upon the nature of the
change to be made. Democrats do not wish
the Speaker to follow Reed aud count a
quorum, but large majority of them want a
rule that will prevent members sitting III the
| House and refusing to vote to make Il quorum
and they are going to have one, too.
| The Senate committee on printing has begun
| the investigation of the charges of the improp-
| er award of the contract for publishing the
Patent Office Gazette, but the evidence SO fan
taken amounts to nothing, and the source from
| which the charges came is of itself almost suf-
| fcient to diSprOye them.
The feeling among Southern Democrats in
| Congress on account of the recent speech ol
ex-Congressman Abram S. Hewitt of New
| York, has been greatly exaggerated. WITH
few exceptions the Southern Congressmen re-
| preventative Caruth, of KY, says: He Is IN
| his dotage," and Representative McMillin, OF
Ten, II certainly snail not make mr heWltu y
| national issue by talking about what he says
Many of the older members recall numerous
| instances of Mr.. Hewitt's devotion when in the
House to protection and opposition to any tariff
reform that cut into any of the businesses that
| he or his father-in-law, the late Peter Cooper
| had money invested in and smile ut his attack
| on Democratic congressman of the present day
| When a member of Congress Mr.. Hewitt enjoy
| ed the reputation of being a common scOld.
Senator Faulkner, Of w. Va, chairman OF
| the Democratic Congressional Campaign Com
1 gl%l,1 l.
| members of the Executive Committee: Sena
| tors Jones, of Arkansas; White, of California
| Mitchell, of Wisconsin Smith, of New Jersey
and Pasco. of Florida, and Representative:
| Pigott, of Connecticut; Nc Aleer of Pennsyl
vania Bynum, of Indiana; MeMillin, of Ten
| nessee; McRae, of Arkansas Whiting, of Mich
| igan; Heard, of Missouri; Wheeler, of Ala
| bama JONES' of Virginia; FOrman. of Illinois
| a meeting of the entire committee has beer
| called for tomorrow, to map the outlines ol
| campaign work, and to select smaller com
mittee to take actual charge of it.