Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-02-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tFrom Our Special Correspondence
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 90, 'Ve.


That majority of the House wa,
opposed to the free coinage of silver
was 80 well known in advance that
there was comparatively little interest
SHOWN In the vote by which the House
refused to concur in the free coinage
substitute which the Senate passed in
place OF the House bond bill. The speech.
es made in the debate were spoken to
empty chairs, and many of them were
not spoken at all, being merely inserted
In the Congressional Record under the
leave to print" rule. This was not be.
cause OF any lack of interest in the sub.
Ject itself, but because the result was
known by everybody long before the
Dill was placed before the House. Had
IL not been for the desire on the part Of
many members to make speeches for
their constituents the bill could have
been voted upon an hour after it was
reported to the House.
Although there is little outward in
dication of what the ultimate fate OF
the House tariff bill, which was re-
ported to the Senate from the Finance
Committee, will be, the Republican
senators express the utmost confidence
that the tariff bill will be sent to Mr..
Cleveland just as it was passed by the
House, and at least two of the Populist
senators have expressed the opinion
that all amendments to the bill will be
voted down and that the original tariff
Will pass the Senate. There is no doubt
that % per cent, or more, of the Re.
publican party wishes the tariff bill to
pass, but under present circumstances
your correspondent, while hoping that
the confidence of the Republican SEN
ators has firmer foundation than
their wishes, can see nothing but doubt
ahead of the bill. The difficulties of
passing bill as strongly opposed by
the strong minority of the Senate as
this one is would be great, even if the
Republicans had the majority, which
they are one vote short Of.
Senator Wolcott, in speech made
this week, advocated depriving the
President and his cabinet officers of all
power over patronage, on account of
the abuse of that power by the present
administration, and again, when the
shortcomings of Secretary Morton,
which were brought out during the
debate which preceded and followed
the adoption of Senator Hansbroughs
resolution, directing the Secretary Of
agriculture to distribute seeds as had
been usually done until he by an as.
sumption of authority stopped it, were
being discussed, Senator Wolcott said
ne hoped Secretary Morton might
make some explanation of charges
made against him by Senator Vest and
other Democrats, in order to redeem
an office that was regarded as worth
less"
Representative Watson, of Indiana,
who enjoys the distinction Of having
defeated "Objector" Holman, ism t one
OF those who considers Indiana doubt.
full State. Speaking on the subject, he
said: Indiana is as certain to cast her
electoral vote for the nominee of the
st. Louis convention as election day is
to come. The people are still in a rest
less and uneasy state. There is still a
lack of confidence, and this lack of
confidence breeds discomfort. For all
this the people are holding the Demo-
cratic party responsible, and next Nov
ember they propose to dispose of the
old man of the sea- who has been
riding them down hill for the last
three years at such an unmerciful
pace. Indiana is safely Republican.
There has been some talk both for
and against the Monroe doctrine, in
the Senate this week, but nothing to
indicate when the resolution will be
voted upon. As its adoption is certain
Senator Davis, its author, has no desire
to hurry up the vote. He wishes every
Senator to have full opportunity to
have his say about it.
The House Committee on Territories
has practically settled the fate of Ari-
zona, New Mexico and Oklahoma by
voting against reporting a bill for the
admission of Arizona to Statehood.
Mr.. Cleveland this week notified Con-
gress that he had accepted the French
view of ex-Consul Walters guilt and
agreed that this Government would
prefer no claim for damages il France
would release him from prison, not 40
Alright, but as courtesy. Congress
was not surprised. 1t has become ac-
customed to seeing this administration
accept the foreign view of matters af-
fecting American citizens and interests.
Senator Quay very promptly denied
the rumor that he had entered the field
as Presidential candidate. He says
ne doesn't wish to be President; that
it would soon kill him, but he adds,
that if his friends in Pennsylvania
were disposed to compliment him by
presenting his name to the National
Convention and voting for him he
would say nothing to prevent.
Are you," she finally faltered, "re.
ally Dukep" Can you doubt me?n
he asked intensely. She shiyered.