The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-02-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, 1894.

w AshlN6TON, Feo' 90, 1o0f.
Harmony among the democratic
Senators 90 the tariff bill is not yet
as complete as it might be, although
concessions have been made that it was
hoped would secure it. Having held
the bill until they could see no prospect
of benefit to be gained by further
delay, the sub.committe this morning
submitted it to the full Finance COM
mittee. which in turn submitted it to
caucus Of democratic Senators, not
for the purpose Of compelling aoy
Senator to support it, but for sort Of
family consultation at which all COM
plants could be heard and everybody
could have chance to aid in bringing
about that harmonious action that will
be absolutely necessary to pass the
bill, even allowing that the populist
Senator's will vote for it, as they
say they will because of the re-
eention of the income tax. The
caucu. appears to have had a
good effect and Senator'S who have
been worrying are now smiling over
The prospects for democratic unity.
It is expected that the Finance
committee will at once report the bill
to the Senate, although there are
indications Of an intention on the
part Of the republican members of the
committee to attempt to delay action
on the plea that they should be given
time to prepare minority report
against :he bill. They may be given
several days to prepare their report,
but the democratic sentiment is so
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 reported.
Much uueasiness is felt among
Senators at the reports concerning the
condition 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 includes everyone
who ever came in contact with hial-
are 10th to believe that his illness is
hopeless. as press dispatches report it to
be.
1t has been apparent ever since
this Congress got down to business
that there was weak spot in the
rules of the House but it was not
until the long contest for quorum to
vote on the Bland bill for the coinage
of the seigniorage, the end of which
is not in sight yet, showed the help
lessness of the House 10 the absence
of voting quorum that members
became fully aroused to the necessity
of change. But they are cow, and
nearly $50 democratic members have
signed a call for a caucus to be held
as sooo 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 aud
count quorum, but a large majority
of them want rule that will prevent
members sitting in the House and
refusing to vote to make a quorum,
and they are going to have one, too.
The Senate committee on Printing
has begun the investigation of
the charges of the improper award
of the contract for publishing
the Patent Office Gazette, but the
evidence so far taken amounts to
nothing, aud 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-Congressmau
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: "He is in his dotage,' and
Representative Mcmillan, Of Tenn:
II certainly shall not make Mr.. Hewitt
a national issue by talking about what
he says Many of the older mem
bers recall numerous instances of Mr..
Hewitt's devotion when in the House
to protection and opposition to any
tariff reform that cut into any Of the
businesses that he OF his father-iu-law-
late Peter Cooper-had money invest
ed in aud smile at bis attack Oh
democratic Congressman of the pre-
sent day. When member of Con-
gress Mr.. Hewitt enjoyed the reputa-
tion of being common scold.
Senator Faulkner Of W. Va, chair
man of the Democratic Congressional
Campaign Committee, has named the
following gentlemen as members of
The executive committee: Senators
g IL, WIKI of Gal