Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-02-26
FREELAND, PA, FEBRUARY 26, 1894
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, February %, 1894.

Washington, February 90, 1894.
1t isn't pleasant, but unfortunately it
is true, that the signs of the Democratic |
senators getting together" on the tariff |
bill are not as promising as they We're.
They all agree that we must have tariff
reform, but a few of them have ideas
which they have so far refused to be
argued out of as to what constitutes
tariff reform. 1t is this, and not the
interference of President Cleveland,
which has prevented the reporting of
the bill to the finance committee. 1t
would be useless to get the bill before
the senate knowing that enough Demo-
cratic senators would vote against it to
make majority with the aid of the
solid Republican vote. Those who are
impatient at the delay should remember
that the Republicans have thirty-eight
senators and that forty-three is a
majority. 1t should not be forgotten,
either, that the votes of the three Popu-
list senators are uncertain and may un-
less the democrats vote together, hold
the balance of power. The charge that
President Cleveland is trying to dictate
to the Democratic senators is absolutely
false. He has no desire other than to
see them agree and take speedy action
on the bill, and that is desire that
should be shared by every Democrat.
Senator Miles paid his respects to the
Republican senators who sought to kill
little time by slurring at his connection
with the subcommittee that is consider
ing the Wilson tariff bill in the following
vigorous English: 81 have no apology
to make for any part that have taken
in trying to reduce the burden which
our friends on the other side have heap
ed upon the shoulders of the people, and
which they have been increasing from
year to year for the past thirty years.
do not feel that it is the duty of the
senators and representatives to consult
the people who are receiving the plunder
from the pockets of the yeomanry of the
country. We are sent here to discharge
hulg w lDC NlllLCllS anu lOl " COllSulI
the benefciares as to how much we will
allow them"
Senator Voorhees, looked at Senator
Hoar and smiled as he presented to the
senate a petition signed by more than
1000 citizens of Massachusetts, asking
for the speedy passage of the Wilson bill
because of its Offering substantial
measure of relief from the most burden
some eXactions of the existing tariff
law" Mr.. Hoar got excited and wanted
to know who were the signers of such
petition, but he was more than satisfied
he was crushed, for the moment,
nothing short of death can permanently
crush him-when informed that among
them were such men as John NJ. Forbes,
William Lloyd Garrison, Amos W. Stet-
son and William C. Endicott The peti-
ton was sent to Mr.. Voorhees, because
the Massachusetts senators have been
accused of suppressing similar petitions
sent to them.
Secretary Carlisle has had a lot of
trouble owing to the disinclnation of
national banks to receive silver certif-
Gates in exchange for legal tender notes
forwarded for redemption. Wishing
to know whether he had legal right to
compel the banks to accept the silver
certificates he made formal application
to Attorney General Onley for an official
opinion defining the status of the silver
certificates. The opinion is that silver
certificates are not lawful money, being
merely the governments receipt for sill
yer, which will be delivered upon sur
render Of the certificate.
The senate was very obliging when it
ordered an investigation of charges
made concerning the connection of Hon
Josiah Quincy, of Massachusetts, with
the change of contractors for the publi
cation of the Patent Office Gazette upon
no better evidence than that of a man
whom Mr.. Quincy had been instru-
mental in having kicked out of public
sinecure. Neither Mr.. Quincy nor his
friends have any fear of the result of the
investigation, which will be made by
Senators German, Ransom and Mander-
son, who have already been notified by |
Mr.. Quincy of his willingness to aid
them in every way to get all the infor |
nation desired.
Senator White, of louisiana, has a
right to feel proud of the good opinions
of his colleagues and the public regard
less of politics, which have been ex-
pressed since his nomination and unani- |