The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-12-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
BIG FIGHT EXPECTED OVER AN
APPROPRIATION FOR THE
INCOME TAN LAW.
Can Hill and the Republicans Keep the
Law From Going Into Effect ?-Con-
gresham Wilson Spoken of for
Seat on the Supreme Bench.
Washington, ID. c., Dec. o.

effect the income tax 1t will be remem.
Oered thnt prior to adjournment only a
very small appropriation was made. in fact
only enough TO prepare the necessary blank
forms. Now, as the income tax bin goes into
erect on the list proXimo, it is necessary
that the money be on hand to make fhe
work effective. The committee, ii is said
has been somewhat hampered in presentinS
the matter to the house, by the failure Of
the treasury officials to promptly furnish
them with the proper data and estimates
1t Is generally believed that the oppo.
nentS of the income tax feature of the tariff
aW will renew their fight on this appropri-
alton bill. If that is done there will Mt
once be opened up vast field for talk and
useless debate, in fact Il large part of the
discussion of a few months ago will be gone
those best posted on the matter that the
opponents of the matter will be able to gain
enough strength to defeat the appropriation
yet the chances now are that large amount
of time will be wasted before the final vote
is taken.
y NICE ELECTION POINT.
Quite. an interesting question has been
raised by Representative Wilson of Wash
lngton, who is now candidate for the sen
ate, and one that will likely have to be set
tied by n vote of the senate itself. This
seat in the senate has been vacant for two
years, the senate having refused to seat the
senator elected by the last Washington leg
iSature. Mr.. Wilson's chances for election
are said to be most excellent, and if he is
elected lie will be virtually Il new senator.
Yet the senatorial term is for six years
and the senator will be elected to fill q yacan-
cy that has already existed for two years.
| If he is elected as a new senator he must
/ be elected on the second Tuesday after the
| first Monday of the session. If he is chosen
to fill II vacancy he can be elected on the day
after the legislature assemblies. And now
| the question Mr.. Wilson wants settled is
what he will be after he is elected, and
whether or not the legislature can elect the
second day after it assemblies. The time is
now growing short when both the Wash
| ington Legislature and congress will adjourn
| by limitation and Mr.. Wilson wants the
question settled.
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
Once again an effort is being made to in
duce congress to appropriate sufficient mon
ey to erect Il new government printing of
flee in this city. Time and time again have
efforts been made in this direction, but
each time from some cause or other they
would fail of accomplishment. A. tho long
session, it will be recalled, Il new building
was almost an assured fact. The money for
the purpose had practically been set aside
when the dispute over the selection of the
site arose. The amount of lobbying done
over the question was something prodigOus
FINALLY failure came when the senate hope
eSsly split up over the selection of a site and
thoroughly Disguised over the means en-
ployed by interested land owners killed the
whole project. for the time being at least
by refusing 10 appropriate any money for
the structure or site
In the meantime the building now occupied
for printing purposes have grown more and
more unit for the purpose to which they are
put. 1t is true that some few repairs have
been attempted, but the buildings them
selves are so rotten that they have proved
of little avail. Still they stand by means of
props and numerous braces filled by hun
drcds of men and women whose lives are
in constant and imminent danger. col
lapse Is liable to occur without warning
at any time, and then will be repeated the
horrors of the FOrd'S theatre disaster Il
hundred fold more. 1t is sincerely to be
hoped that something will be accomplish -
led in the matter during the present sSg~-
'siOn.
A GOOD SELECTION.
The talk about the appointment of Hon.
VIM. l.. Wilson to Il position on the SUI
premc bench of the United States in case of
/ vacancy occurring during the remainder
of President CeVeland'S term, has of late
been revived in this city. This talk is
probably owing to the near approach of the
day when Congressman Wilson will step
down and out from the position he has so
notably filled as the leader of the Democ-
rncy on the floor of the house, The presi,
dents high regard for Mr.. Wilson is well
known, and as his defeat is generally ad-
mitted TO be fhe result of his unwavering
support of the administrations tariff views
it is confidently believed that Mr. Cleye-
land will see to it that he is well cared for.
While Mr.. Wilson is said by those who
know him best to be thoroughly Vcrsed in
aw he is better known. aside from his CON
sressional prominence, rs college profes-
nan of large mind and great capacity for
work. despite his slight physique, was well
shown during the late tariff fight, and that
he would make useful and able member
the supreme bench is believed. 1t is
;nOwn that Mr. Wilson Is ayerSe to accept
NJ any position that would require his alb
.encc from the United States, and this
version to leaving home was, so it is said,
ne reason why he declined the appoint
ment of minister to Chill, which it is re
ported was rendered him by MIR. cleveland.
=, NGRE ~ NAL GRABBERS.
And now another report comes to the front
about the desire of some of the defeated
members of congress to secure everything
in sight before retiring to their homes.
Shortly before congress convened it was re
ported that number of these members
wrote to the seargeant-atarms of the house
requesting that their mileage to and from
Washington be sent them, as they did not
expect to attend the session. That was one
thing they thought was in sight but found it
was not. Another chance for n pick up has,
now presented itself. Under the law each
member is allowed S12o for stationery dur
ing each session. The amount can be taken
out either in cash or stationery as the mem
Der may see fit. At the present time cash
s much more in demand than its equiva-
lent OF course this may be accounted for
NV n wish on the part of the members TO
| recover themselves in some measure Iol
| their campaign expenses, or thGn Hsalh
| they may think that because Oh lhe snori-
ness of the session they will not need much
| DECIDING CONTESTS.
Among the new bills introduced during the
present session is one by Representative
| Mccall of Massachusetts which has for ITS
object the making of a change III the pres
ent way of determining congressional con-
tested election cases. These are questions
| which for years have been the source oil
much trouble and out of which have grown
numerous instances of the grossest ana
most unjust partisan action. Under tne
constitution of the United States the mousse
| is the only Judge of its own membership ana
passes on all contests. Such being the case
only n partial reform can be accomplished.
| Ir. Mctialls bill proposes to first allow the
| United States circuit courts to pass upon
| the claims of the contestants and to De
eide which is entitled, prima facie, to the
seat The one in whose favor the court ue-
| .ides is to be seated and is to participate IN
| he organization of the house. The house,
| lowever, Is to be the final judge in all such
infested cases and can overrule the decls-
| m of the court The courts Will be re-
| tired to advance all such cases on their
| lockets and if necessary hold special terms
, dispose Of them.
| OF course the final decision being with the
| ouse the effect of the courts decision VIII
| e only moral, but that is thought Will De
| ,reat and will have most salutary effect,
| preventing further exhibitions Of offensive
| craftsmanship.
u. L. Ann 1nh