Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-03-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.

aShlngtOn, MarCh 70, 1871.
President Cleveland has devoted the
greater part of this week, night and day,
listening attentively to arguments for
and against the Bland coinage bill, al
though it is known that he has long
been a close student of the question in
yolved. 1t is because of the differences
IN opinion among Democrats on the mat
ter that he is anxious to hear all that
both sides have to say. Up to last night
he had not indicated what disposition
he would make of the bill In view of
the record of the president it is waste
of space to say that there is absolutely
no foundation for the stories sent out
from Washington making him a party to
bargain with the silver men in con-
.gress. They are simply sensational
libels upon the president as well as upon
the silver men. No man ever occupied
the White House who was clearer of
bargaining, either for personal or politi-
cal gain, than is Grover Cleveland, and,
while his decision must necessarily be
against the wishes of many good Demo-
Gratis, 1t can be set down in advance that
it will be the result of honest convic-
tions, and there is little doubt that it
will be so accepted by the Democratic
party at large.
Since the tariff bill was reported to
the senate the Republicans have been
making desperate and concerted at
tempts to make it appear that there is
formidable Democratic opposition to the
bill in the senate. That the bill will be
changed before it passes the senate is
altogether probable, inasmuch as it will
produce, in its present form, according
to the latest estimates, something like
$4,000, 900 more than will be required,
and it is the policy of the Democrats to
levy only sufficient taxes to raise the
money necessary to run the government.
Democratic senators who favor changes
looking towards a reduction of the rev.
enue to the amount required will state
their reasons and ask their Democratic
colleagues for their votes to make them,
but it is not believed that any of them
will seek Republican votes to get those
changes, or will vote against the bill
should the changes desired not be made.
The successful trial of the thirteen
inch cannon made at the gun shop of the
Washington navy-yard, which was made
this week, at the proving grounds, few
miles down the Potomac river, marks an
epoch in the history Of fine gun making
in the United States, besides establish
ing the wisdom of the government max
ing its own guns. Secretary Herbert
and a distinguished party numbering
several hundred were present at the
trial. Experts pronounce it one of the
finest guns ever made.
The four appropriation bills-the Dis
trict of Columbia, the general pension,
the fortilication and the sudry civil
already passed by the house, represent
a net reduction of $24 ,334 ,95S from the
total amount carried by the same bills
for the current fiscal year. This shows |
that Chairman Sayers and his Demo- |
cratic colleagues on the house appropria-
lions committee are carrying out Demo-
cratic ideas of economy in public ex-
oendtures
Mr.. J. w. Ady, who pretends to think
hat he has claim on the seat now i'll
ed in the senate by Hon. John Martin,
IF Kansas, is in Washington, he says for
he purpose of contesting Senator Mar
.in's right to the seat, but in reality |
merely to get little notoriety which he |
hopes to be able to turn to account in
Kansas in the near future.
Senator Colqutt, of Georgia, is dan
yerously ILL.,. He was this week stricken
with paralysis, and his physi clans have
little hopes of his recovery.
Hon. Daniel Magone, who was collec- |
tor of customs at New York city during
the first Cleveland administration, and |
who has for many years been a reCog |
nized authority on the politics of his
state, is in Washington. He says of
politics: 'There is no sort of doubt in
my mind that New York is a Democratic
state. Occasional losses are due to local
causes, but do not affect the party as a
whole. The New York Democracy, too,
stands squarely for tariff reform. There
is no backing down with us on that
issue. The one thing now for congress
to do is to pass the tariff bill at the ear
liest practical date. With that out of the
way, so that trade may resume its nor
NAL condition, there is no reason to be
appr1 hensive about the Democracy"
"Coxey's Army" is regarded in Wash
ngton as a sort of All Fools Day hoax