The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1896-02-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
wAsHrserox, D. O., Feb. IA, 'ee

WAsHrN0ToNs u. o., Feb. IA, '06.
That majority Of the House was op.
posed to the free oinage 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 speeches 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
because of any lack of interest in the
subject itself, but because the result
was known by everybody long before
the bill was placed before the House.
Had it 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 reported 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 amend.
ments to the bill will be voted down
and that the original tariff bill will pass
the Senate. There is no doubt that 80
per cent, or more, of the Republican
party wishes the tariff bill to pass, but
under the present circumstances your
correspondent, while hoping that the
confidence of the Republican Senators
has a firmer foundation than their
wishes, can yet 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 Re.
publicans had the majority, which they
are one vote short of.
Senator Wolcott, in a speech made
this week, advocated depriving the
President.and his cabinet of the power
oyer patronage, on account of the abuse
of that power by the present admins.
tration, and again, when the short.
comings of Secretary Morton, which
were brought out during the debate
which preceded and followed the
adoption Of Senator Hansbrough's g
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
he hoped Secretary Merton might make
some explanation of charges made
against him by Senator Vest and other
Democrats, in order to redeem an of.
fee that was regarded as worthless"
Representative Watson, of Indiana,
who enjoys the distinction of having
defeated "Objector" Holman, isn't one
of those who considers Indiana doubt.
full state. Speaking on the subject, he
said: "Indiana is 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 reckless
and uneasy state. There is still a lack
of confidence breeds which discomfort.
For all this the people are holding the
Democratic party responsible, and next
November 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. In.
diana is safely Republican"
There has been some talk both for
and against the Monroe doctrine, in the
Senate this week, but nothing to indi.
cate when the resolution will be voted
upon. As its adoption is certain Sen.
ator 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 Arizo.
ma, New Mexico and Oklahoma by vot.
ing against reporting bill for the ad.
mission of Arizona to Statehood.
Mr.. Cleveland this week notified Con.
gress that he had accepted the French
view of ex.Consul Waller's guilt and
agreed that this government would pre-.
fer no claim for damages if France
would release him from prison, not az a
right, but as courtesy. Congress was
not surprised. 1t has become accustom.
ed to seeing this administration accept
the foreign view of matters affecting
American citizens and interests.
Senator Quay very promptly denied
the rumor that he had entered the
field as a presidential candidate. He
says he 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 pre-.