The Press., 1897-07-22
Washington Letter.
Washington, July 19, tn, 1S9

Washington, July 19, tn, 1897
 Speaker Reed Is getting much credit for the victory won by the house conferees on the tariff bill, in compelling the senate conferees to abandon the senate sugar schedule and accept what is practically that of the original Dingley bill There is no question that some of the credit for colleagues of the house, who declared early and often that the senate sugar schedule was entirely too favorable to the trust, and would not be accepted by the house, even If the tariff bill failed or congress was compelled to remain in session all summer. Their action was factor important one-but greater factor was working against the senate sugar schedule. Public opinion, regard less of politics, was against it from the day It's contents were known, and that was really what made the senate con- ferees surrender. Many senators caught the drift of popular sentiment and added their influence and advice in favor of abandoning the unpopular schedule.
 Although a few dissatisfied senators have said that they intend to delay act ion by the senate on the tariff conference report, it is not thought that they will seriously attempt to do so, and the agree ment to the report and the adjournment of congress Is looked for this week. It has been difficult, during the past week, to keep a quorum of the senate on hand, and 1t Is growing more SO every day. The Hawaiian annexation treaty has been favorably reported, but 1t is not expected that any attempt will be made at the present session, to get vote upon it.. Everybody Is tired of congress being in session, but the senators and representa- tives are the most tired of all, and they are going home very soon.
 The reference to the fines imposed up on the Carnegie Steel Company, for fur nishing the government armor plates not up to the required standard, made in the senate debate on the amendment to the deficiency bill limiting the price to be paid for armor plate, to $500 a ton, brought out statement from ex-Secretary Herbert that surprised a great many of the people. It had been supposed that these fines were all remitted by Presi- dent Cleveland ,but MT. Herbert says they were paid, or at least that $144 ,0O0 was paid by the Carnegie company which was the amount to which the original fines of $22O, ,O00 was reduced by MT. Cleveland As the house has agreed to the amend ment limiting the cost of armor to $500 a ton, 1t looks as though the armor trust would either have to furnish it at that price or not at all.
 The last river and harbor bill had a provision directing the secretary of war to have preliminary examination made as to the possibility and cost of a ship canal from the great lakes to the ocean. Maj. T. W. Symonds, who was ordered to make the examination, has reported against the undertaking because of it's great cost. The report says that the best route for such canal would be by the way of Niagara river, Lake Ontario, Oswego, Oneida lake and Mohawk and Hudson rivers. Maj. Symons expresses the opinion that the Erie canal, when en- larged as contemplated, would, if New York would remove restrictions as to it's use, give commercial advantages practi- cally equal to the ship canal that would cost about $2OO, ,OOO, ,0OO.
 It is difficult for an outsider to keep track of the routine business in either branch of congress. The senators and representatives usually manage to do SO, but not always. His colleagues are having a little laugh at the expense of Senator Carter, of Montana, because of little slip he5made. Every day, just after the chaplain finished his prayer-the other day there was no prayer because the minister who is acting-champlain of the