The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-02-27
WASHINGTON
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Feb'y. "a, 1906.


his attacks upon the abuse of the
right of petition to Congress. 1t has
been made cheap way Of getting
notoriety for this or that organization
to send out thousands of printed Pc
titions to be signed and sent to Sena-
tors and Representatives with the
request that they be presented to
Congress, knowing that when SO pre-
sented the titles of the petitions and
the purpose for which they are sent
would be read in open session and
printed in the Record and in many
newspapers. Senator Hill proposes
to at least partially reform this abuse
by having the petitions handed to the
clerk of the Senate who will put them
on file, instead of their being formally
presented by senators, as now.
The republicans are still unable to
do anything with their tariff bill.
Senator Carter, who voted against
taking it up the other day, has given
notice of his intention to move that
the bill be sent back to the Finance
committee for further consideration.
The matter was brought up at a
joint caucus of republican senators
and Representatives, held last week,
but nothing was decided upon.
The Mckinley men declare the
sudden epidemic of candidacy fever
among republican Senators and ex-
Senators is nothing more nor less
than an attempt to make combina-
tion OF the field against Mckinley,
and there is apparently foundation for
the declaration. The Quay-Platt-
Reed combine seems to have become
afraid that Mckinley might get nomi-
mated on the first ballot if they didn't
cut up the vote. They found plenty
of willing tools in the Senate, where
Mckinley has not one single sincere
friend, and the vote will be cut up.
Senator Vest, of Mo-, is not one of
the professional funny" men of
the Senate, but he knows how to
raise laugh with the best of them
when he wishes. An instance show
ing this fact was given last week. Mr..
Vest was making few remarks when
Senator PETER got up and began to
address the chair. By the time Sena-
tor Vest had turned his eyes npon his
whiskers Senator Sherman was also
on his feet and addressing the chair.
" Mr.. President" shouted Senator
Vest several times without attracting
the chairman's attention, and then he
asked if he might make parlamen-
tary inquiry. That caught the chair
mans attention, who at once said
" The gentleman from Mo-, will state
it." Mr.. Vest then said with much
solemnitp 81 believe l was adj
dressing the Senate, and had the
floor, but it seems that l have no
longer got it. If l can't get it in any
other way, l rise to parliamentary
inquiry to find out how l lost it." A
litter ran around the Senate, Mr..
Sherman apologized for his Interrupt
ton, Mr.. PETER sat down, and Mr..
Vest proceeded with his remarks.
Secretary Morton's dinner to Presi-
dent and Mrs. Cleveland, last week,
has been widely discussed on account
of the original manner in which the
table was decorated. A big plow
made of red carnations was the cen
ter piece Of the table, and upon each
side of it were hay stacks made of
yellow spun sugar, under which were
piles of vegetables and farm imple-
ments all made of sugar. AT each of
the four corners of the table was a
wheelbarrow made of candy cabbages.
confections in the shape of
and fruits. The ices were
served in candy hay wagons, and the
punch in little cups made to initiate
apples, peaches and pears, and the
individual dishes for the stewed terra
pin were china terrapins. This was
the last Of the formal cabinet dinners
for this season.
Mr.. c. F. Huntington can talk
Congressman weary on the benefits of
his proposal to extend the debt due
the government from the Pacific
Railroads one hundred years at per
cent. but when it comes to giving
substantial information as to the
actual workings of the roads he is
about as poor a witness as could be
found. Senator Morgan is proving
himself thorn in the side of Mr..
Huntington, by driving the railroad
into corner with his peril
nent questions, but about all that Mr..
Morgan has yet been able to show is
that Mr.. Huntington could tell much
that would throw light upon the sub
ject if he would. Washington is fairly
swarming with Huntington's lobbyists,
determined to buy every Congression-
al vote that is purchasable, either
with popnaU or otbar o,,o.o l,4;ae