The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-07-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, July le, 1894.


Now. that the strike excitement is happily
owe: public attention is centered upon the
daily meetings of the democratic conference
on the tariff bill. There is some disaPpoint-
ment among democrats that after an entire
weeks work no agreement has been reached.
However, considerable progress has been
made, and it is hoped that partial, If not a
complete report can be made to the House
and Senate this week. Democrats are more
worried over the failure to reach an agree
men, than over the bluff made by Senator
Hale in introducing resolution calling tor
information as to why the republican con-
ferees had not been invited to attend the
meetings. In their anxiety to get to work
the democratic conferees neglected to follow
the usual course and invite the republican
conferees to the first formal meeting, but it
was merely fern that was overlooked. 1t
is democratic disagreement and it must and
will be settled among democrats without re-
publican interference 1t is not to aid IN
settling the disagreements that the republI-
cans wish TO attend the conference, but to try
to prevent their being settled.
Just as soon as an agreement can oe
reached that will be ratified By the House and
Senate Congress can adjourn, as the Senate,
by an unusual spirit, has passed nine of the
appropriation bills and has the other hVe IN
good shape to be passed this week. That
will leave the decks clear for action 90 the
conference report on the tariff bill, and
everything now points to adjournment by
the first of August. The only thing that
can upset these calculations is the failure OF
the conference to reach an agreement that
will oe accepted by both Senate and House,
aud that is not expected.
strong effort is being made to get the
Nicaragua canal bill passed at this session OF
Congress, but il may be crowded out. lie
House Commerce committee is trying to get
the committe oa Rules to set aside two or
three days for the discussion of the canal
bill, which Chairman Wise, of the first
pamed committe considers one of the NEST
important bills that have been before Coz
gress for years. There are number OF
democrats in the House, who are on principle
opposed to the governments engaging in
any such business as proposed by this bill,
and while they are not probably numerous
enough 10 defeat the bill on vote they are
numerous enough to prevept a vote being
taken unless special rule is reported limit
ing debate.
so many requests come to Sergeant-at-
Arms Snow, of the House, from editors aud
politicians, asking whether certain members
have draws mileage for both the extra and
regular sessions of Congress and whether this
or that member has drawn full pay since the
law to, dock. members for absence was Eeviv-
ed, that he has had circularIetter prepared
politely declining to furnish the information
asked for unless instructed to do so by the
House. A considerable number of members
of the House have reason to feel grateful to
Col. Snow for uot opening the books of his
Office to the men who are trying TO 6ud
reasons for, leaving them at home.
1t seems to come natural to some people to
misunderstood things A case in point was
the unanimi,y OF certain labor leaders in
announcing after recent interview with the
Presiden, that Mr.. Cleveland had agreed to
appoint commission to arbitrate the dis
pute which brought about the late disastrous
and costly-to all concerned, and to many
not directly concerned-railroad strike. It'll
not 6attering to the intellect of the before
mentioued labor leaders if this misunder-
standing was not Intentional. The law
under which President Cleveland agreed TO
appoint two commissioners TO act with the
Z. S. Commissioner of Labor in making an
investigation, does not give him authority to
appoint arbitrators, except under conditions
not existing in this case, and the commission
10 be appointed will only have authority to
investigate the strike which occurred upon
interstate railways. 1t cannot investigate
the strike at the Pullman car works any more
than it could investigate strike of the farm
hands of John Smith. President Cleveland
will appoint this commission because be
wishes to secure authentic information to be
nsed as basis for recommendations he
intends to make on the subject in his next
annual message to Congress. He recognizes
it as subject that needs national legislation,
not in the interest of the corporations, nor
of the labor organizations, but Of the whole
country, which is incommoded and in the
end has to pay the bills for the periodical
strikes.
Although there are reports to the CONTRARY
there is no reason to doubt that President
Cleveland will sign the bill forthe admission.
of Utah to statehood, which is now in his
bands.
Senator Alien OF Nebraska told the Senate
on Saturday that it was untrue as stated 10
the newspapers that had been downed IN
wrestling match with John Barleycorn.