The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-03-04
WASHINGTON.
From our Regular Correspondent.


all communications to and from |
Consul General Lee, which was adopt
ed by the Senate without dissenting |
voice, is intended to solve the mystery
as to the truth of the sensational
statements saying that Gen. Lee had
either actually rendered his resigna-
ton as Consul General to Cuba, or
threatened to do so, unless the
administration gave him better back
ing than it has been giving him in
his fight to secure justice for Amer-
cans arrested in Cuba. 1t is also be-
lieved that it was intended as an
affront to President Cleveland. 1t is
customary in such resolutions to
request the President to furnish the
desired information, if in his opinion
it is compatible with public interests.
Senator Hill ignored the President
entirely, and his resolution asks Secre-
tary Olney for the information. Con-
gress feels very ugly towards the ad-
ministration on account of its Cuban
policy, but there is no time left to do
anything now, except to pass the ap-
preparation bills.
Mr.. Bryan was in Washington two
days this week, and was the recipient
of much attention. He was also the
central figure in several important
political conferences.
Representative Bailey, of Texas,
gave the republicans good-natured
raking over in speech which did not
overlook the assistant republicans,
about their embarrassment in dis
tributing 10000 Offices among $780,
900 applicants, and made the predic-
ton that every one Of the fifty Con-
gressional districts which the republi-
cans carried last November by majori
ties of less than 1000 would go demo-
cratic 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 office-seekers at the next Con-
gressional elections than we had Of
escaping the disapproval of the people
for the malacminlstration OF the ad-
ministration about to retire from
power"
That majority of the republicans
in the House would like to see the
civil service law thrown overheard
was shown by the hearty applause with
which they received the assertion OF
Delegate Flynn, of Oklahoma, that if
he had his way he would wipe out the
civil service law and fill every Office
with republican within twenty-four
hours after McKinleys Inauguration.
Representative Grosvenor, of Ohio,
also jumped all over the civil service
law and declared his belief that it
would be repealed. Representative
Bailey in reply to direct question as
to what he thought of the law prompt
ly said: 81 think it is humhug,
and when asked why the democratic
party didn't repeal it when they had
the power he said: ''We didn't have
sense enough then, but we shall know
better hereafter" Representative
Brosius, of Pa, chairman of the HOUSE
Committee on Civil Service Reform
defended the law, and accused Gros
venor of having by his talk against il
I'feshed sword in the heart of the
President elect" whatever that may
mean. Whatever Mr.. Mckinley may
do there is little doubt that Gros
venor will have a numerous support
he wishes to lead fight against the
law in the next House, and it will no
be surprising if he does it.
The Senate Committee on Public
Lands has this week been trying t.
get at all the bottom facts connected
with the recent issue of Florld
land patent for $4,000 acres to MI
Perrine, Mrs. Clevelands step-father
Senator Tillman, who is member o
the committee, has been especiall
active in cross examining the witnesse
who have appeared before the Com
mittee. The Committee has not ye
reached conclusion as to the regular
ity and legality of the patent.
Notwithstanding the protest of frul
importers, who claim that foreig
fruits do not compete to any materla
extent with American products, ina:
much as they are mostly put on sal
at different season of the year, tn
republicans of the Ways and Mean
Committee have decided to place
duty upon tropical fruits which in
porters declare will be practically pre-
hibitory.
There is trouble and heap OF /
ahead of Mark Hanna. The public'
ton of interviews, in which ne state
that his first work upon entering tn
Senate will be to undertake the job
bossing the passage of the tariff bll
has aroused the ire of number