Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-07-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, July 5, 1897.

That every good Democrat is necessarily
good and patriotic citizen is SO we'll known
that it seems almost supeTfuous to mention
it, When, therefore, a large number of
good Democrats, together with the wives,
mothers. daughters, sisters and sweethearts
I@f many OF them, get together to celebrate
Independence Day, as they did in WASH
ington to-day, patriotic enthusiasm is
bound to be plentiful. This gathering was
not at the Capitol, although both branches
of Congress were in session, but in Wash
ington theatre 1t was a combination
Democratic and patriotic celebration, and
it was a regular three-cheers-and-a tiger
success. Representative Sibley,. OF
PENNSYLVANIA, presided, and the principal
address was delivered by Senator Daniel, OF
Virginia, who did himself proud, both as a
Democrat and as a patriot. Each OF the
original thirteen States were represented by
short speeches, and between times there
was music, both vocal and instrumental.
The celebration was under the Joint aus
pices of the National Association OF Demo-
cratic Clubs, and the Democracy OF the
District of Columbia.
Senators Jones, of Arkansas, and Teller,
forced the Republican Senators to an I'M
mediate and abject surrender, by few firm
words, when Senator Allison brought for
ward tariff amendment Matched by the
Republican Steering Committee to pay a
bounty on beet sugar. This amendment
was complete surprise to the Democrats
and also to some Republicans, and is be-
lieved to have been a bit of political
trickery. Senators Jones and Teller said
that if the Republicans expected to pass
the tariff bill, they must withdraw that
amendment, and Mr.. Teller made his re-
marks more nagging by adding that there
had been reports that Republican Senators
would be glad to see the bill defeated and
that this new proposition looked very much
as though the Committee was not anxious
to pass the bill. This brought about
hurried consultation of Republicans, and
the announcement that the Committee
would withdraw the amendment Then
Senator Allen made an individual attempt
to get the bounty for his constituents by
offering the amendment himself, and Sen
ator Kyle made speech in favor of it, but
its death was assured when the Rerubli-
cans withdrew their support.
The tariff bill might easily have been
disposed of last week had the Republicans
been able to stop wrangling among them
selves long enough to agree upon several
proposed amendments. About the only
amendment they agreed upon that is de-
serving of a good word was that taxing
stock certificates and bonds. That is so
sensible that it seemed almost useless to
expect that it will be allowed to stick.
The bill will be passed this week, If the
Republicans desire it to pass. They can
hang it up indefinitely by proposing amend
ments that they know the Democrats will
not allow to be added.
Boss Hanna has not had much success in
bossing his party In the Senate, but he
made a success of his fight on the antitrust
amendment to the tariff bill, and compelled
the Republican caucus, hurriedly called at
the eleventh hour, to decide that the anti
trust amendment, which had been prepared
and adopted by the Republican steering
committee, should not be offered in the
Senate. That proposed amendment has
been introduced as bill by Senator
Thurston, but there isn't the slightest prob
ability of its passing; if there was, Boss
Hanna would have another Republican
caucus called to prevent it.
1t is now stated privately in administra-
ton circles, that campaign promises made
Dy bOSS 1du0d makes IL HcCcScdAy toA MI.
Mckinley to send special message to Con-
gress asking for legislation for the appoint
ment OF a currency commission, notwith-
standing the notice served upon Boss
Hanna several weeks ago by the silver
Senators, that no such legislation should be
acted upon at this session of Congress.
Gen. Woodford, our new Minister to
Spain, has gone home, but he will return
to Washington to attend grand dinner to
which he was invited by the Spanish
minister when he called on that official
personally last week, instead of merely
sending his card, in accordance with the
usual diplomatic etiquette. He will not
sail for Europe until July 28th.
Mr.. John r. Mclean says the charge
that himself and Mr.. Paul Sorg had in
stigated the big coal strikes for the purpose
of making political capital against Mr..
Hanna in Ohio is too ridiculous for serious
discussion, Sand is, of course, without the
slightest foundation.