The Press., 1896-01-09
Washington Letter.

That majority or the senate IS Op- posed to issuing bonds at all in times of peace is probable, as will be shown later, but that an overwhelming majority of senators are opposed to issuing bonds through a private deal with syndicate of bankers has already been shown by the vote to take up the resolution of Senator Elkins, expressing the sense of the senate to be against any other dis position of bonds than by public adver- tisement, and to the highest bidder. Only six senators voted against con- sideration of that resolution, which would have been adopted but for the rules of the senate which enabled Senator Hill by the way, one of the most bitter op- pOnents of those very rules to throw 1t over by an objection. True, its adop- tion will not be legally binding upon President Cleveland, but all the same he would much prefer that it would not be adopted. There Is a rumor that this vote has caused President Cleveland to decide that the issue of bonds he is now contemplating shall be offered to the highest bidder by public advertisement, but this rumor does not tally with the story generally believed about these bonds having been pledged to the Mor- gan syndicate weeks ago, unless the bonds are to be so advertised as to make 1t certain that the syndicate will be the only bidder.
 What the senate is going to do with the tariff bill and the bond bill Is yet problematical. A report is expected from the finance committee this week, but report was also expected last week. Those who ought to be good authority say that the tariff bill is likely to be re- ported without amendment and that 8 substitute for the bond bill, providing for the free coinage of silver, will be re- ported and passed. Meanwhile, the an- nouncement of another bond issue by the administration is daily looked for, not withstanding the semi-offlcial announce ment that MT. Cleveland will wait a reasonable time to see If congress will do anything.
 Representative Boatner, of La., has offered resolution instructing the house judiciary committee to ascertain "whether under provision of any statute of the United States, there is any warrant for the refusal of any executive officer to per form any act necessary to the execution of any law of congress, on the ground that such law Is, in the opinion of such officer, unconstitutional; whether any power is lodged in any officer or can be constitutionally lodged elsewhere than in the courts to annul any act or withhold any appropriation, and to report whether such action Is not in contempt of the authority of:congress and in violation of the rights of the benehciaries, and what action should be taken by the house to vindicate its authority" This resolution, 1t is needless to say, is aimed at Comp troller Bowler of the treasury, who re- fused to approve the payment of the money appropriated by congress to pay sugar bounties.
 Mr. Justice Rufus W. Peckham, the "baby" member of the United States su- preme court, took his seat to-day. He didn't appear to be 8 bit nervous, but several times an expression passed across his face which was interpreted by bright woman to mean "Td like to know whether my new silk gown hangs all right"
 Those who expected dispute between the United States and England over the Alaska boundary would better pack those expectations in moth balls and pigeonhole them. There isn't the slight est probability of their ever being realized. When the report of the commission headed by General Duf1eld, chief of the United States coast and geOdetic survey, now in the hands of the secretary of state is sent to congress, as it will shortly be, it will be officially seen that there Is practically no difference between the boundary line run by the American en- gineers and the one previously run by English engineers. The greatest differ ence between the two lines at any given point is six feet and seven inches, or fifteen seconds of longitude.
 The Venzuelan boundary commission | held its first meeting and organized for business by electing Justice Brewer president. That the commission enjoys 1 the confidence of the public and of con- gress Is plainly indicated wherever the subject is discussed It is to be entirely in it's proceedings, and will decide entirely for itself not only what is the true location of the boundary between Venezula and British Guiana, but also what Is the best way to go about getting