The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1897-03-02


Mr.. Bryan was In Washington
two days this week, and was the
recipient Of much attention. He
was also the central figure in sever
al important political conferences.
Representative Bailey, Of Texas,
gave the republicans a good.natur-
ed raking over in speech which
did not overlook the assistant re-
publicans, about their embarrass-
ment in distributing 10000 offices
among 100000 applicants, and
made the prediction that every one
of the fifty Congressional districts
which the republicans carried last
November by majorities of less
than 1000 would go democratic at
the next election. "Four years
ago." said Mr.. Bailey, "you laughed
at our embarrassment; now we
laugh at yours. You have no more
chance of escaping the wrath of
the otlice-seekers at the next Con-
gressional elections than we had of
escaping the disapproval of the
people for the maladmiuistration
about to retire from power"
That majority Of the republl-
Ion ;,, hn TTnpen ,u1,,lI Ilrn tn
sec the civil service law thrown
overheard was shown by the hearty
applause with which they received
the assertions of Delegate Flynn,
of Oklahoma, that ifhe had his way
he would wipe out the civil SER
vice law and fill every Office with
a republican within twenty four
hours after McKinley's Inaugural
tion. Representative Grosvenor, Of
Ohio, also jumped all over the civil
service Representative Bailey in
reply to direct question as to what
he thought of the law promptly
said: 81 think it is a humbug," and
when asked why the democratic
party didn't repeal it when they
had the power he said: ave didn't
have sense enough then, but we
shall know better hereafter" Rep
resentative Brosius, of Pa. chair
man of the House Committee on
Civil Service Reform, defended the
law, and accused Grosvenor of
having by his talk against it "hesh-
ed a sword in the heart of the Pres
ident-elect," whatever that may
mean. Whatever Mr.. Mckinley
may do there is little doubt that
Grosvenor will have q numerous
support if he wishes to lead fight
against the law in the next House,
and it will not be surprising if he
does it.
The Senate Committee on Public
Lands had this week been trying
to get at all the bottom facts con-
nected with the recent issue Of a
Florida land patent for $4,000 acres
to Mr.. Perrine, Mrs. Cleveland's
step-father. Senator Tillman, who
is a member of the committee, has
been especially active in cross-ex-
amining the witnesses who have
appeared before the Committee.
The Committee has not yet reach
ed conclusion as TO the regularity |
of the patent.
Notwithstanding the protest of
fruit importers, who claim that
foreign fruits do not compete to
any material extent with Amer
can products, inasmuch as they are
mostly put on sale at different
season of the year, the republicans
of the Ways and Means Committee
have decided to place duty upon
tropical fruits which importers
declare will be practically prohibit
tory.
There is trouble and heap of it,
ahead of Mark Hanna. The pub
LEGATION of interviews, in which he
states that his first work upon en-
tering the Senate will be to under
take the job of boss the passage of
the tariff bill, has aroused the ire
Of number of republican Senators
and Mr.. Hanna may start his Sen
atorial career by getting himself
mercilessly snubbed. 1t is very
safe to say that he will not be a
Senator long before he will regret
announcing his intention to boss
the body. Bossing the Senate is u
very difficult job, as Mr.. Hanna
may learn if he will enquire of
Harrison and Grover
Cleveland, both of whom made
in their several attempts
TO assume the role which he seems
TO think is as easy as buying inn
pecunious delegates to republican