Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-04-09
FROM WASHINGTON.
,rresnondence Of the Ale1andria Gazette.


acting as a sub committee of the Sen
ate committee on finance in the prepa-
ration of the tariff bill are inclined IN
their estimates now to postpone the
date of it's presentation to the Senat >
a little beyond the limit originally fixed
by them. They now express the opin-
ion that it may be two weeks from the
present time before it will be in shape
to be reported. Some of them post
none the time until two weeks from
next Monday. Many of the schedules
have received final attention, among
these being chemicals and cottons.
None of the more puzzling questions,
however, have been disposed of. The
committee has left the rates on wool,
sugar, hides, coal, lead ore, lumber and
ali the other particularly puzzling sub
iects until the simpler matters can be
determined. They take the position that
they can settle the disputed points
more satisfactorily after the other fea-
lures of the bill are thoroughly digest
ed and the probable revenue deter
mined. Many of the smaller items ac'
cordingly have been determined upon.
While no detailed information can be
secured it is understood that many re.
auctions in duties have been made.
The disposition of the committee is TO
make quite general reduction, but
this is found to be task not easy OF
accomplishment because of the insist
ence of Senators upon having the
rt.onoect protection for the articles in
which they are particularly interested.
There are, indeed, many demands for
increases, and some of these are so
pressing that the members of the com
mittee are finding themselves consid-
erably embarrassed between their de-
sire to satisfy Senator whose vote
will be essential to the success of the
bill and their conviction that the inter
ests of the party demand reduction
rather than increase.
The committees representing respec
lively the republican and democratic
sides of the Senate resumed their eff
forts to-day to reach an agreement on
basis of reorganizing the Senate com
mittees. The full republican commit
tee was in session early in the day
The democratic committee did moi
meet at the same time, but Chairman
German was at the Capitol and most
of the members of his committee were
within call. The republicans have
poue to work with the intention o
taking charge of the committees, bu
thew find that in assuming this task
there are many points to be settled. Ii
accepting the democratic proposition
to take care OF most of the silver repub
licans and populists they find that they
are compelled to assign places to ole
Senators in those two parties which
are much sought after by straight re
publicans who have not been so lonl
in the Senate, but feel that they dc
serve to be rewarded for party service
The disposition would be to favor the
straight party men at the expense o
others, but for the fear that this course
would have an injurious effect upor
the fortunes of the tariff bill. The
tariff is indeed giving the managing
committee and all the republican Sena
tors more concern than any other factol
in the situation. 1t is doubtful whether
they would attempt to proceed but fol
this bill. They fear, however, that i
they do not take the work in hand the
bill might be seriously delayed, some o
the democrats having practically warn
ed them that they would object to any
further legislation of any character un
less the committees should be filled
There is also a feeling on the republi
can side that any allotment which
might appear to discriminate invidious
ly against the populists and silver re
publicans would imperil the tariff bill
by precipitating an unseemly wraDglt
on the eve of its presentation to the
Senate. The republican committee
was in session about three hours to-
day and after it adjourned Senator Nc
MILAN said that such satisfactory pro
gress had been made as to warrant the
prediction that reorganization would
be accomplished. Notices were order.
ed sent to the republican Senators ask.
ing them to specify the committee on
which they would prefer to serve.
John J. McCracken, of Fredericks.
burg, Va, has been appointed an alter.
nate and Beverly F. Browne, of Acco-
mac county, Va, has been appointed q
cadet at the Military Academy.
The Supreme Court to-day listened
to arguments in the case of Lewis E.
Parsons jr., against the United States,
which involves the question of the right
of the President to remove an officer
without cause before he has served his
term. Parsons was district attorney for
the northern and middle districts OF
Alabama, was appointed by President
Harrison and was removed by Presi-
dent Cleveland in May, 1898 after ne
had served about three years. Parsons
declined to surrender his papers and
afterward applied to the court of claims
for the fees for the remainder of his
term. That court overruled his conten.
ton that the President had no power to
remove him except for cause and the
case was appealed.
In execution of the act of Congress
authorizing the Secretary of the Navy
to transport contributions for the relief
of the suffering poor of India, Secretary
Long has taken steps Immediately 10
procure a ship or steamer from the
merchant marine. No naval vessel is
available for this purpose, so the choice
will be made from American merchant
ships, a number of which have been
offered to the department at reasonable
rates. The naval pay officer at New
York has been instructed to obtain, in
the manner usual in seeking proposals
for supplies to be purchased in the