The Press., 1896-02-27
Washington Letter.
Washington, Feb. aa, 1896.

Washington, Feb. 2i, 1896.
 The modern astrologers- who foretell coming public events by the movement of the stars political instead of the stars above-say there are trong indications of early congressional action in favor of Cuba. It is understood that President Cleveland has about made up his mind that the time for the United States to act is near at hand, and that he has conveyed hint to influential men in congress that he would like that body to take the initiative, and that he is willing to go as far as Congress may indicate desire for the government to go. The resolution reported from the foreign rela- tions committee of the senate merely ex- presses the opinion that the belligerency of Cuba ought to be recognized, but it will not be surprising if something much broader should in the end be adopted. Senator Cameron has substitute which requests the president to ask Spain to grant the independence of Cuba, and Oth- Or substitutes will be offered before the matter is pushed to a final vote. While there is some doubt about the exact na- ure of what congress will do, there is lone as to its intention to do something avorable to the Cubans.
 It seems that the plain talk about the
 buse of the fee system by U. s. court
 ficials, which was indulged in recently
 the floor of the house, is to bring
 bout a reform. The house judiciary
 mmittee has decided to report favor
 ly bill abolishing the fee system, so
 as it applies to U. s. district attor-
 ys, marshals and their clerks and dep-
 tes, and 10 pay those officials stated
 laries.
 Speaker Reed very seldom makes a
 omise any more definite than II will
 about it" to the numerous members
 ho visit him to ask recognition for the
 rpose of calling up private bills, and
 s invariable answer to those who per-
 Bt in trying to get him to commit him.
 If is: sI am making no promises to
 yone. simply say that l will see
 out it, and then, when I get into the
 use, reserve the right to see you or
 t.' Some of those who have failed to
 recognized are saying privately that
 republican members who have influ-
 ce in the election of delegates to the
 Louis convention never fail to catch
 speakers eye when they rise.
 According to current rumor-none of those who were present will talk about it some very sensational remarks were made by Chairman Walker, of the house banking and currency committee, at the last meeting of the committee. MT. Wal keI is reported to have said that the fail ure of the committee to agree upon some satisfactory financial bill was because nearly every member of the committee was interested directly or indirectly in some banking institution, and were more intent upon looking out for those insti- tutions than for the interests of the peo- pie who elected them to congress. He is also reported to the members of the con- mittee to drop their selfish schemes for legislation in the interests of individuals and do something for the benefit of the people at large. The queer part of this reported accusation of Mir. Walkers is that only three of the seventeen members of the committee acknowledge any con- nection with Representative Le- fever, president of the national bank at N. Y., Representative Spald- ing, director of a national bank at, Mon roe, Mich, and Representative Hill, vice president of national bank at Norwalk, Conn. MT. Walker should be more spe- cific. He must have information con- meeting other members of the committee with banking interests, as three members cannot be considered ''nearly every mem- Der of the committed" nor could three members control a committee of seven- teen.
 Secretary Morton always tries to get off something funny when he meets con- gressman. The other day a congressman who called at the agricultural department found the secretary engaged in admiring two very long ears of corn which had just arrived from Nebraska. "Isn't that fine mule corn?" queried the secretary. "It is," answered the congressman; "but 1 can't understand why you call it mule corn. Why not horse corn p Mule corn always has long ears," replied the secre- tary. The congressman who told the story didn't say whether he laughed or not, but as he got what he went after it is is fair to infer that he did. Men sell dom grant favors to those who do not laugh at their jokes.
 The gold reserve is again above the $1OO, ,OOO mark, but nobody expects it to remain there long. In fact, predic- tions are already being made as to the probable date of the next bond issue, and President Cleveland is said already to re- gret not having made the last bond doubly as large, so as to have secured enough gold to have maintained the reserve to the end of his term.
 Born.
 Stafford SDrinQs 22d A son tO Edward