The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-01-07
WASHINGTON.
from our Regular Correspondent.

son, ever held New Year reception
that was attended by fewer Senators
and Representatives than were at the
White House to-day. The President
gave no sign indicating that he noticed
their absence, but it is nevertheless
certain that he did. Otherwise the
reception was great success. Mrs.
Cleveland never looked better, the
cortege of lady assistants never dis
played more elegant costumes, the
diplomatic corps never made a more
gorgeous showing, and the army, navy
and marine officers were out in force
in spick and span new uniforms with
gold lace and buttons galore.
The Cuban question is awaiting the
reassembling of Congress next week,
although there are daily, almost hourly,
reports OF steps being taken either in
Spain, or by General Weyler, or by
Secretary Olney and the Spanish
Minister, which will result in placing
it where there will be no occasion for
Congress to act upon 1t, That most
OF these rumors are originated by per.
sons who are either friendly towards
SPAN or at least opposed to any &C
ton by the present Congress is gener-
ally believed in Washington. The
opinion is growing that they will be
successful, at least to the extent of
postponing action until after McKln-
ley assumes office. In fact, that pur-
pose was practically accomplished
when the Republican leaders of the
House decided that nothing should be
done.
The Democratic National Commit
tee makes no secret of using all the
influence it can command towards
bringing about the reelection of Sena-
tor Dubois, of Idaho, who is being op-
posed by Hanna and his crowd, be-
cause he followed his convictions and
supported the Democratic platform
and ticket in the late campaign, and
because they think his defeat would
result In frightening other silver Sen
ators in continuing to act with the
Republican party. Most Democrats
who know the active part Dubois took
In fighting for Bryan endorse Senator
Blachburn's language: "We owe Du.
bols debt of gratitude, and nothing
should be allowed to stand in the way |
OF Its settlement. 1t is a debt of hon |
or, and, like all debts of honor. should
be paid in advance of all other obli-
cations"
Gen. Wheeler, of Alabama, one of
the Democratic members of the House
committee on Ways and Means, who
is carefully attending the tariff hear.
iings now in progress, although he
knows that he and his Democratic
colleagues will not be allowed to have
any hand in making the tariff bill, is
always emphatic IN speech and often
dramatic. Nobody was surprised.
therefore, when Mr.. w. R. Craig, of
Vlcksburg, Miss, as the representa-,
tive of the cotton growers of the Miss
lssippi Valley appeared before the
Committee and asked that duty of
8 cents pound be put on Egyptian
cotton, to see the wiry old soldier
stiffen up and to hear him say: "The
South would be selling its birthright .
Tor mess OF pottage to ask for this /
protection. Representative Payne ]
thought to faze Gen. Wheeler when
he asked him, "What do you call its
blrthrlght9 7" Without turning a hair
the Albanian replied: "Free institu- {
tions, free trade, free everything"
Senator Calls term expires March i
3rd, and the Florida legislature which ,
will elect his successor does not meet !
until April, SO that if Mckinley calls
the extra session together in March,
Florida will for time have only one
Senator. According to a member of
the Florida legislature, who is now In /
washington, Senator Call will certainly G
be his own successor, Notwithstanding I
the red hot fight which is being made
against him. This gentleman says:
!" The only way that Senator Call can
be defeated for reelection is to cede 1
the State back to Spain or abolish the b
ofhce. l am member of the Farm. D
ers Alliance, and as great majority a
d the members Of the legislature are .
farmers Alliance men, and not law v
'ers, l know what am talking about" !
AT public meeting OF the McKin- '
ey and Hobart club of this city, ex- s.
Commissioners Douglass said that the
,lub organization would be kept up n
or the purpose of supporting McKin. a
ey and Hobart In 1900. When a I
rlend told Speaker Reed about that L
peech, his only comment was "huhn.
Mr. Reed knows that it isn't the ticket
u 1900, but the Offices of 81, that
ne sex" and the other members of N
he club are worried about. al