The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-01-03
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Jan. /, /


President Cleveland, the members of his
Cabinet, and the ladies of their families, in
| accordance with custom as old as our
government, devoted New Years Day to re-
ceptiops, official and general. For about four
hours procession composed Of the diplomatic
representatives of all the foreign governments,
members of the cabinet, the justices OF the
Supreme Court, Congressunen, Army and
Navy officers, minor officials and the general
public poured through the White House where
they were received by President Cleveland,
assisted by Mrs. Cleveland, Mrs. Stevenson,
the ladies Of the cabinet and several guests OF
Mrs. Cleveland, including the wife Of ex-Gov.
Russell, of Massachusetts,, and Miss Benedict,
of New York. Later, receptions were held at
their several residences by Vice-President and
Mrs. Stevenson, and by members of the
cabinet and the ladies of their families
Nearly all of the Congressmen have re-
turned. There waa quorum of both House
and Senate at the White House reception
to-day. By freely circulating among the re-
tnrned members OF the House your cores
spondent endeavored to ascertain whether
conference with their constituents had in
creased or decreased the opposition to the
Wilson tariff bill. In one respect it is appa-
rent that it has Increased it. That is, there
are more democrats who will endeavor to se-
cure, in the caucus to be held, notifications
of various clauses of the bill. But, as nearly
all of them announce while stating their in
ten,ions that they will, whether successful in
getting the bill modified or not, support the
bill, it is clear that their opposition does not
60 beyond that which it is perfectly legitimate
for strict party men to occupy towards party
measure not yet approved by party caucus,
and does not jeopardise the final success Of
the bill as approved by the caucus.
Senator VOORHEES, is getting heavy mail
these days, and not few of his letters contain
requests for hearings on the tariff before the
Senate finance committee of which
he is chairman. None of these let
ters have been specifically answered, because,
he believes that circular letter which he is
now having sent ont, containing thirty odd
printed questions and requesting reply to
each, will enable pine-tenths OF his eoSres-
pondents to lay before the committee all the
information in their possession relating to the
effects of tariff upon their business just as
well as they could if given personal bear
ing. 1t is not his desire to cnt any one ont
of a hearing and those desiring to furnish
| information not embraced by the printed ques-
tons will, where their prominence as manu-
facturers or business men justi6es it, be given
personal hearings.
Representative Holman has not issued the
call for democratic caucus, but it is expected
that he will do 80 this week.
1t is known that President Cleveland has
lately given considerable attention to the
selection Of new public printer, and it is
believed that be has picked out the man and
that his nomination viii: 60 to the Senate in
few days, probably this week. Rumor has
connected the name of Chief Clerk Daniels of
the Interior department, with the position.
Mr.. Daniels was not 40 applicant for the posi-
ton, but his experience as editor and
publisher of newspapers in North
Carolina qualities him therefor should it turn
out that be is the lucky man. Nearly every
democratic Senator and Representative has q
personal preference for public printer but
they will all be satisfied to see the position
filled by any good democrat who will give
the democrats show at the three thousand
positions in the Government Printing Office,
very large majority of which are still filled
By republicans.
cew batch of rumors concerning cabinet
designations are being sent out by republican
correspondents. There is just about.aa much
truth in them as in those which have been
periodically seut out by the same men ever
since the present administration came in.
No action is expected in the House con-
cerning the finances of the government until
after the tariff bill has been passed. In fact
the Way and 4eans committee, which will
prepare whatever financial bill that may be
determined upon, will not have any opportu-
nifty to devote any time to the matter until the
tariff ia out of the way.
Representative Springer wishes it UNDER
stood that his bill for aew national cur
rency, which was made, public few days
ago, is simply his OWE idea. The subject has
not been considered by the committee. on
Banking and Currency Of which be is chair
man. His principal object in making the bill
public was to iovte criticism and suggestion.
A Quarter Century Test.
For quarter Of century DR.. Kings New