Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-15
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Pertinent Comments on a Number of
Timely Topics Which are of
Public Interest.

the close, and quite heated discussions
prevailed, but the bill was passed with
out any great fight, like we sometimes
see OF course, John Davenport came in
for his share of the responsibility, under
the power of this now defunct law, and
the Democratic side of the Chamber
seemed to take especial delight in repay
ing Mr.. Davenport at last for what they
consider the many debts they owe him.
The repeal does away with the office
which Davenport has so long held, as
Chief Supervisor of Elections in New
York City, where he has long been a
thorn in the flesh of the Democracy of
that large city.
The Wilson bill is still in the hands of
the Finance Committee of the Senate
The conclusion reached by the majority
of the Committee to allow no hearings
from the various interested parties af-
fected by the bill, has received a
great deal of unfavorable comment. But
there is TO be quite change in the bill,
it is reported, before it will come before
the Senate. Free iron ore, free coal, and
free sugar, may all be changed, and a
small duty placed on each. Hill, Muir
ply and German are rumOred to be in
favor of recommitting the bill, if the in
come tax feature is not dropped by the
Committee. But the Populist Senators
will not vote for the bill unless the in
come tax is retained. And strange as it
may seem, there are about half dozen
Republican Senators who will support the
income tax feature of the bill. Senator
Voorhees, statement that the country
needs and demands action at this time,
and action without delay, is true. And
the sooner the better for all concerned.
Senator Hill still holds the nomination
for Justice of the Supreme Court locked
up in his committee. 1t is probable that
he may use the nomination as bid for
his vote on certain items in the Wilson
bill that he don't fancy, and help ont the
Republican side of the Chamber, if they
will help him beat the confirmation of
Peckham. Everything seems fair in pol
itics, and David B. Hill is in struggle
for his political life, and now that New
York has given Cleveland all ne can ever
have, Hill proposes to fight for his own
bacon, if it brings down the whole estab-
lishment in ruins.
The new Senator from Mississippi, A.
J. McLaurin, elected last week, to fill the
vacancy occasioned by the resignation
of Senator Walthall is one of the ablest
lawyers of his State. Senator Walthall
was compelled to resign on account of
i'll health He has been a member of the
Senate for about nine years, and his abil
ity and courtesy have won him friends
on all sides. Walthall was at the time of
his election law partner of the late
Justice Lamar lie succeeded Lamar in
the Senate, when the latter went into
Cleveland's first Cabinet. Senator Walth-
all was last week reelected to the long
Senatorial term, from March 4th, 1895, to
March 4th, 1901, being the first Senator
elected whose term reached into 1900.
He has not yet resigned that term, and it
is hoped by all his friends that he
may so regain his health that he may
come back and take his seat in 1895.
The death of George W. Childs was an
event deeply lamented by all. His hold
upon the people was peculiar one, and
one which came from his kindness of
heart. All over the world his name has
been spread. simply by his deeds of kind
D"ss. He has been intimate with all the
great men of the last quarter of eentu-
ry, and he has not been their friend only,
but the friend of the poor, the wretched,
the miserable. The world needs more
such great hearted men.
And now the gossips have it that ex
President Harrison is to wed Mrs. Leland
Stanford. No one seems to be positive
as to the truth of it, but the most of
people accept it as though it was sO,even
though the ex President denies it. The
families of Harrison and Stanford were
very intimate when here in Washington.
Mrs. Stanford was a very dear friend of
Mrs. Harrison, and was frequent caller
at the White House. 1t was partially
through the late Senator from California
that the ex President was selected as a
lecturer for the Stanford University, of
which Stanford was the founder. The
ex- President is just about starting from
Indian apolis for California to deliver a
series of lectures at the University, and
this marriage story is made public
Whether true or not, it is not likely to
occur just at present
The old warship Kearsage has made its
last cruise. 1t was wrecked on a reef the
I'd of this month, while ell route from
Port au Prince, Hayti,t to port i'll Nicara-
qua. What a flood of memories the event
brings up. 1t is thirty years ago that
the Kearsage, in command of Captain
Winslow, taught Capt. Raphael Semuies
a lesson in naval warfare, and sent the
rebel pirate Alabama, which had become
a terror to American vessels, to the bot
tom. The sinking of the Alabama was
well won Union victory, and added re-
nown to Winslow's name. and placed him
and his gunboat Kearsage on the roll of
history. Now, after many years service,
the old ship goes down, but the event
will not be forgotten. Both commanders
in that battle have gone the way of
the earth, with tie great mass of the
leaders in the struggle.
The House had quite time vindicat-
ing the President on the Hawaiian ques-
ton. 1t took some hard work, and a
good deal of drumming up to get quo
rum, as the Republicans refused to re-
spond at roll call on the McCreary reso-
luton. The Speaker came very near go
80. -, ,a.,orA xx,ith Iaaieinn that liz