Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-12-17
WASHINGTON LETTER
lrrom Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Dec. II, 1895.

Sen. Aldrich deserves the thanks
of the party and of the country for
his promptness in exposing the mo-
tive of Senator Allen in moving that
the Dingley bill be taken up by the
Senate, a motion that was adopted.
Mr.. Aldrich compelled the Populist
Senator from Nebraska to admit that
he would not vote for the Dingley
bill as it passed the House, an ad-
mission which he tried to qualify by
adding that the bill could lie amend
ed so that 1t would receive his vote
and that of other Senator'S who are
not Republicans. The same could
be said of any bill, but after 1t was
so amended IL would be long ways
from pleasing to Republicans. Mr..
Aliens motive was to make mischief,
by making 1t appear to the country
that tariff legislation could be had at
this session II the rerubl lean Sena :
tors desired 1t; and he knew when he
made the motion that the Dingley
bill as 1t now stands does not con-
tain line relating to the tariff, an
amendment having been adopted at
the last session providing for the
free coinage of silver and striking
out the whole bill, excepting the en-
acting clause, that was passed by the
House. This is probably just taste
of what the republican Senators,
helpless because of lack OF major
ity, will have to contend with dur
ing this session OF Congress.
The wisdom of the caucus of Re-
publican Senators In deciding not to
attempt to make programme for
the session, and in leaving every
thing to the discretion of the steer
ing committee, is already apparent.
There Is no use of having pro-
gramme unless You also have the
power to carry it out. The steering
committee, composed of Senators
Aldrich, Allison, Hale, Mcmillan.
Cullom, Perkins, Quay, Davis, Hans
brough and Shoup, has the confidence
of the party and may be depended
upon to accomplish all that can be
accomplished under the circunI.
stances, which at best is not likely
to be much.
Although the six boiling Repub
lican Senators, Teller, Pettigrew,
Dubois, Cannon, Squire, and Mantle,
declined to avail themselves of the
invitation to attend the caucus OF
Republican Senators, four out of the
five who are in Washington-Mr
Teller has not arrived-have declared
themselves to be still Republicans
upon everything except the silver
question. Senator Dubois says, tina,
he is out OF the republican D 'rty fol
good and all, and announces in ad
vance that he would vote against the
Dingley bill IL it were brought tn q
vote, and intimates rather strongly
that he would vote against anything
that would originate on the repub
lican side of the Senate. 1t is be
level that Mr.. Dubois is playing t.
the prejudices OF the anti-Iepublicar
members OF the IdhO Legislature,
In order to save him self from being
retired to private lie.
The Republican House is keeping
up the record 1t made at the last ses
sion as business body. 1t has al
readypassed the pension appropriation
bill, bill allowing the use of pri
vate postal cards with one cent
stamps used on them; bill provid
ing for limited indemnity of $40 fol
the loss Of registered mail matter
a bill authorizing private letter car
riers in villages where there is M
free delivery, and number of minor
bills, including some private pen
sions.
Speaker Reed and Chairman Ham;
met for the first time in the Speak
er's private office at the capitol thi
week, and very cordial meeting i
was on both sides, according to tn,
six or eight prominent Republican
who were present Mr.. Hanna ha
made many new friends during hi
short stay in Washington, and som,
OF those who made his Acquaintance
have a very different idea of wha
kind Of man he is than they hat
before coming In contact with him
Although it is the general opinion o
those who have talked with Mr.
Hanna that he will not be a membe
Of the cabinet, he expressed such
liking for Washington that SOM
think he will be unable to stand tn
temptation of four years residenc,
In the city.
| No grass has been allowed to groy
on the Inauguration preparations