The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-12-28

OF them about six months I'm which to
ihuu!Se IN their favorite line of busine SIS
ney nad the Cuban insurgents, with
their belligerent rights: they had some
lhtimation of Venezuelan troubles and
crowded about the Foreign Affairs
committeeship assignments Hike small
boys about circus tent; they heard
vague rumoIs of Il revival of the tariff
muddle. and they saw visions of inan-
cial discussions. to say nothing Of the
eulo2ics on the few members who have
passed over the river, and rest after
their labors
This was Il beautiful outlook for con-
grcssfonal orators, the spellhinders who
accepted the nomination for an oppCr-
tur.ty to talk, and who Inadvertently
were swept into Congress upon the tidal
wave of 1894
Now, they are disconsoiatc, and like
Rachael weeping for her children they
refuse to be -comrortcd. Tho two mes
sages from the White House worked the
mischief for them. The Venezuelan
matter wGs passed without giving the
orator an earthly show. and now the
tariff and the financial problem have
passed with an absolute mti&alc over
his mouth. and the long suit Of the ave
rage Congressman has been drawn out
of his hand without his having taken
a single trick.
Mr. Reed knows all the capcrs OF pol
itics. and he has n great scheme on
hand. and he has no idea OF letting the
orators talk the screws Loose IN the
lightning rod he has set up for private
purposes.
EudtcntioE. orn Short Session.
The indications now all seem 10 point
To a compara lively shc,t saeaIon Of
Congress. There is nothing left on the
Republican programme hut the contcst-
ed election cases. which really occupy
but little time in tho House, rs the Com
mittee report Is invariably adopted. and
l. III
do not lead to extended debate
The Republicans. however. in the pas
sage of tho tariff and bond bills have
burned no bridges behind them. but on
he contrary have declared that one
was only Il revenue measure dcma nd
cd in an emergency and the other u
temporary financial relief bill To meet
the ripe wants of the Treasury. So
they may. perhaps. b!ing up later on
another financial scheme. as Chairman
Walker. of Ma husetts, of the Bank
Ing and Currency Committee. will never
rest contetSd until lie gives to the House
his pet prescription fCm the complete
cure for all the financial ills imagined
or otherwise. from which we are now
supposed To be suffering.
1t is doubtful though if any other bill
will emanate from the Wavs nnd Means
Committe" lo0king To further ta,ifl
changes.
The Scw Bntficships.
There is no doubt now that the two
batilcships will be awarded To- the New
port Naws Company. The Secretary has
decided that their bid of S2.250.0O0 fur
each justly entities them to the contract
and he will make the award without
delay. The Secretary was disposed to
let one OF them 20 to the California com.
pany on their bid Of s. 750 Goo bat after
consideration decided that lie could not
fairly let that company reduce their
bid after that Of the Newport New.
Company WAS kEown. and. although lie
is permitted to divide The contract
when the bids from different concerns
are approximately the same amount. he
has in this case decided TO follow the
precedent of Secretary Whitney. who
held that when n difference Of over :
per cent. occurred In the bids. the high
er one should not be considered, the
other considerations being equal
Thus the Virginia ship-yald will tri-
umph on the merits Of It's bidding
which We're clearly put tn the Secretary
by Congressman Tyler and the Sena tors
from Virginia.
H l., NJ