The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-01-12
" aShingi0n Letter.

WAsHINGToN ID. c. Jan. 9th, 1894 -
Chairman Wilson l. not receiving the
support he deserves from the Democratic
mem berS of the House tie had worked
himself into a state bordering on physi-
cal exhaustion in order that the tariff
bill might be called up as soon as the
House met on Wednesday, and his dis
appointment can only be imagined when
ha saw that the tariff bill could not he
taken up on that day because Of the alb
sencc of a quorum of Democrats IL be
ing the policy of the Republicans not to
allow the bill to be considered without
quorum, which they will refuse to assist
in making. Iuasmuch as every Democra-
tic member knew the Importance ola quo
rum OF their own members present this
abSenteeism l. iueXcusabIe The whole
country l. demanding prompt action on
the tariff at the very opening of the
session day l. thrown away.
The tariff programme aS mapped ont
bv chairman Wilson was FIVE days for
general debate, eight days with evening
sessions for discussion under the five
minute rule, during which the internal
revenue amendments decided upon this
week-the > per cent tax upon all in
comes Of s 1000 and over: the increase
in the tax on cigarette, to 81 30 per
1000; the increase in the tax on whiskey
to 81 OOper gallon, and the tax Of , cents
per pack on playing cardS-are to bc
adopted, and the final vote to he taken
on the L, of January; but it viii not be
possible to carry out this or amy other
programme, if a Democratic quorum
cannot be kept here all the tune; already
the day of the final vote has been
changed to January -. This absentee
ism Is more the result of the big Demo
cratic majority than indifference. Each
member who stays away probably thinks
there will be a Democratic quorum with
out him, but 50 many stay away that
there ism t.
The investigation of the relations Of
this government with Hawaii Is being
pushed 10y the subcommittee Of the
senate committee on 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
bc 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
eN-MjnIster Stevens has been INDUCED in
this week. Senator Frye had reported
the health of Mr.. Stevens to Toe 50 pre-
carious that it might prevent his com
ing to Washington to testify before the
committee, yet the newspapers all con
tanned accounts Of his having Travelled
from his home in Maine t. Rhode Island
in order to deliver a speech on Hawaii
at "A club banquet. Now the question Is
being asked, why his health permits him
to attend club banquets and sit up two
thirds of night TO make a set speech, il
should prevent his coming to the mild
climate of Washington and giving the
committee "A few hours of MS time dur
ing the day? Perhaps the oath which
the committee administers to Its witness
Is may have something To do with the
reluctance of Mr. Stevens. \ man
doesn't have to swear to statements made
in banquet speech.
The Democratic House caucus which
meets To night Will settle for good and
all whether the Democrats of the Ways
and means committee have made "a tar
if bill worthy Of the support of the par
ty, or whether the work uf the commit
tee shall 5e revised before the bill iS
passed. Every Democrat who has. or
thinks ne has. "a grievance Will br given
an opportunity 10 state 1t and To- asccr-
tain whether the majority sides with him
or against him. When the caucus de
cides that settles it and the bill as final
ly approved will bee Loyalty supported 10y
every Democrat who attends the caucus.
1t Is thought probable that IL may bc
necessary To continue the caucus for
several nights in order To hear all that
those opposed To several of the tariff
schedules and 90 the income tax amend
ment may desire to say, and confidently
expected that II wIIl ratIfy the work of
the committee as whole. although
there may hc some minor amendments
made in portions of the bill. The oppo
sitiou to the individual income tax will
probably develop the most strength, ow
ing To the vote In the committee having
been 50 cioSe-siN 90 live-aud TO PIy-i-
dent Cleveland and Secretary Carlisle be
log M doubt as To It's cXpodiency
Representative Bland has introduced
bill in the House, providing FOR th,
immediate iss ne of 500. .OUO. 600 of II,
yer certificates To supply the treasury
with money to meet the growing deli
cheney, the same to be based upon the
seignIorage of the silver bullion Iu the
treasury; also providing for the coinage
of the silver bullion in the Treasury az
rapidly as possible. MIR. Bland thinks
the adoption of this hill preferable To an
iSsu" of bonds to meet current expenses
of the government.
BoutelIe, Of Maine seems determined
to play the monkey ON the Hawaiian
question He started off on the first
day OF the session In his usual style.
NJ.