Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-01-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.

CAuiiA w iloOh 10 llOb I6tClNlIR lIlt
support from the Democratic members
of the house that he deserves. He had
worked himself into state bordering on
physical exhaustion in order that the
tariff bill might be called up as soon as
the house met on Wednesday, and his
disappointment can only be imagined
when saw that the tariff bill could not
be taken up on that day because of the
absence of a quorum of Democrats, it
being the policy of the Republicans not
to allow the bill to be considered without
quorum, which they will refuse to
assist in making. Inasmuch as every
Democratic member knew the impor-
tance of having quorum Of their own
members present this absenteeism is
inexcusable. The whole country is de-
manding prompt action on the tariff, and
at the very opening of the session day
| is thrown away.
The tariff programme as mapped out
by Chairman Wilson was: Five days
for general debate, eight days with even
ing sessions for discussion under the
minute rule, during which the in
ternal revenue amendments decided
upon this week-the 2per cent. tax upon
all incomes of $4, 600 and over; the in
crease in the tax on cigarettes to 81 so
per 1000; the increase in the tax on
whiskey to $l00 per gallon, and the tax
of cents per pack on playing cards
are to be adopted, and the final vote to
be taken on January II; but it will not
be possible to carry out this or any other
programme, if a Democratic quorum can
not be kept here all the time; already
the day of the final vote has been chang
ed to January %. This absenteeism is
more the result of the big Democratic
majority than indifference. Each men,
Der who stays away probably thinks
there will be a quorum without him, but
so many stay away that there isn't.
The investigation of the relations of
this government with Hawaii is being
pushed by the sub committee of the
senate committee of foreign relations
All of the witnesses heard up to this
time have been gentlemen who took an
active part in the annexation movement
and the formation of the provisional
government of Hawaii; consequently the
testimony has been all of one kind. AL
though the proceedings are supposed to
be secret, the nature of the testimony
taken becomes known almost as soon as
it would if the hearings were public.
Considerable comment not favorable
to exMinister Stevens has been indulg-
ed in this week Senator Frye had re-
ported the health ofMinister Stevens to
be so precarious that it might prevent
his coming to Washington to testify be-
fore the committee, yet the newspapers
all contained accounts of his having
travelled from his home in Maine to
Rhode Island in order to deliver a
speech at club banquet.
Now the question is being asked, why,
if his health permits him to attend club
DdHlueto anu sll W tNO-JillTuS Vi nlBuJ
to make set speech, it should prevent
his coming to the mild climate of Wash
ington and giving the committee few
hours of his time during the day? Per-
haps the oath which the committee ad-
ministers to its witnesses may have
something to do with the reluctance of
Mr.. Stevens. A man doesn't have to
swear to statements made in banquet
speech.
The Democratic house caucus will set
tie tonight for good whether the Demo-
Gratis of the ways and means committee
have made a tariff bill worthy of the
support of the party, or whether the
work of the committee shall be revised
before the bill is passed. Every Demo
crat who has grievance will be given
an opportunity to state it and ascertain