The Coconino weekly sun., 1896-01-23
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
[rRoM OUR REGULAR CONFECTIONERY


 free coinage substitute for the House bond bill has the right of way as the "unfnished business" and IS daily debated for something like two hours. This programme will be continued until the bill is voted upon. Just whom that will be has not been decided, but it is believed that the silver Senators, who are doing the most of the talking, will continue the debate until the Utah Senators. both of whom are counted upon to vote for the bill, take their seats. It isn't really necessary to get those two votes to pass the bill; it is merely making assurance doubly sure to wait for them. The silver question is in one respect like the tariff. It is difficult to say anything new about it The speech that attracted the most at- tention in the Senate was that of Sen ator Mills, of Texas, which although upon finance was not either for or against the free coinage bill. Mr.. Mills arraignsd the administration for its entire financial policy and was especially severe upon the national banks, and at it's close was compli. mented by Senator Peffer, who said he regarded it as justification of the principles of the populist party. How Senator Mills will vote on the free coinage brll seems to be a matter of doubt. It will be remembered that he made long statement last year over his own signature against the free coinage of silver.
 The House has devoted the greater part of the week to tho regular Pen sion appropriation bill, which carries several important amendments: As usual when this bill is up there has been much oratory in which members, regardless of party, who have large ''old soldier" constituency. expressed their undying love, etc., for the brave voters who fought thirty-odd years ago and who also voted to send the orators to Congress, and who will have a chance to do some more voting next November. All of which, men and brethern, is human nature.
 If the applause which greeted refer ence made by Representative Cum mings, of N. Y.. to the government making the Pacific railroads disgorge indicates the sentiment of the House some positive legislation on that sub- iect may be looked for at this session. Mir. Cummings was making speech in favor of better treatment for applicants for pensions when he said that if the government needed money it had bot. ter make the Pacific railroads disgorge than cut off deserving pensioners.
 Secretary Hoke Smith has notified the members of the Dawes Indian Con- mission to come to Washington and defend their report on the condition of Indian Territory which is being yigor. ously attacked by the represents tives of the Indians, who are strongly op- posed to the bill for the establishment of a Territorial government. The fight both for and against that bill is getting decidedly warm.
 Chairman Hepburn of the House committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, has appointed sub-com- mittee of seven to look after Nicaragua canal legislation. It is expected that President Cleveland will shortly send to Congress the report made by the commission that investigated the route of the canal and the work done thereon. and that the report will be accom-. panied by special message defining the Presidents attitude towards the project.
 It is nothing new to say that public opinion is tickle. But very striking example of its fckleness in Washing ton is shown by some of the men who were only Q short time ago cocksure that nothing could avert a war be- tween the United States and England. Now these same men are commenting England for extending the same pro. lection to Americans residing in the Transvaal republic, where the U. S. has no diplomatic representatives, as to British citizens. and talking about England and the U. s. being natural allies.
 The most important political event of the week WAS the meeting of the NJ