The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-03-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
CFrom our Regular Correspondents,
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, ISo

Harmony among the democratic
Senators OF the tariff bill is not yet as
complete as it might be, although con-
cesslons have been made that it was
hoped would secure it Having held
the bill until they could see no pros
pect of benefit to be gained by further
delay, the sub committee this morn
ing submitted it to the full Finance
committee, which in turn submitted it
to a caucus of democratic Senators,
not for the purpose of compelling any
Senator to support it, but for sort of
family consultation at which all com
plants cou d be heard and everybody
could have a chance to aid in bring
ing about that harmonious action that
will be absolutely necessary to pass
the bill, even allowing that the popu-
list Senators will vote for it, as they
say they will because of the retention
of the income tax. The caucus ap.
pears to have had good effect and
Senators who have been worrying are
now smiling over the prospects for
democratic unity.
1t is expected that the Finance COM
mittee will at once report the bill to
the Senate, although there are indi-
cations of an intention on the part Of
the republican members of the com.
mittee to attempt to delay action on
the plea that they should be given
time to prepare minority report
against the bill. They may be given
several days to prepare their report,
but the democratic sentiment is 50
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 Sena-
tors at the reports concerning the con
dition of Senator Vance's health,
which is now said to be continually
getting worse. He has not been able
to perform any duties at this session,
but his friends that included every
one who ever came in contact with
him-are 10th to believe that his i'll.
ness is hopeless, as press dispatches
report il TO be.
1t has been apparent ever since this
Congress got down to business that
there was a weak spot in the rules Of
the House, but it was not until the
long contest for a quorum to vote on
the Bland bill for the coinage of the
seigniorage, the end of which is not in
sight yet, showed the helplessness Of
the House in the absence Of voting
| quorum that members became fully
aroused to the necessity Of change.
But they are now, and nearly $50
democratic members hare signed a
call for 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 and count Il
quorum, but large majority of them
want rule that will prevent members
sitting in the House and refusing TO
vote 10 make quorum, and they are
going to have one, too.
The Senate committee on Printing
has begun the investigation of the i'm
proper award of the contract for pub
fishing the Patent Office Gazette, but
the evidence so far taken amounts TO
nothing, and the source from which
the charges came is of itself almost
sufficient to disprove them.
The feeling among southern demo
Gratis in Congress on account Of the
recent speech of ex.Corgressman
Abram S. Hewitt, Of New York, has
been greatly exaggerated. With few
exceptions the southern Congressman
regard the matter with entire indiffer-
ence. Representative Caruth, of KY,
says: Gle is in his dotage," and
Representative Mcmillan, of Tenn:
~ certainly shall not make Mr.. He
witt 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 oI
the businesses that he or his father-in
Law the late Peter Cooper-h &C
money invested in and smile at his at
tack on democratic Congressmen o.
the present day. When a member oi
Congress Mr. Hewitt enjoyed the repu
tation of being common scold.
Senator Faulkner, of w. Va, chair
man of the Democratic Congressional
Campaign Committee, has named the
following gentlemen as members o
the executive committee: Senators
| Jones, of Ark; White, Of Cal; Nit
chell, of Wis; Smith, of N. ]. anC
Pasco, of Fla, and Representatives
Pigott, Of Conn; McAleer, of Pa.
Bynum, Of Ind; McMillin, of Tenn.
| McRae of Ark. Whiting. of Mich.