The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-17
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

is full OF stumps and stones
and the d!sappointments are not cohtiheu
20 the aspirants for foreign missions ana
IA. Federal positions in Washington Ihe
Motley adopted by Postmaster General Gary
in regard to small postoffices. those where
,bo remuneration does not exceed 800 a
year. has already brought sorrow to the
hearts Of several republicans VINO were
ambitious TO serve the government Inc
nostmaster general has decided that such
a small place should not be considered
thing for politlcal reward and has declined
TO appoint, several republicans to such
Offices where the democratic INCUMBENT
time had eXpired because the applicant
rad mot the Endorsement of any consider
able number OF the patrons of the onice
II is announced that this policy VIII be
strictly followed
Marshall Field of Chicago came to Wash
ington a few days ago to confer with
members of the senate committee about
the tariff bill. When asked il he had any
thing to say on the subject, he replied
NO, except the one general remark that 1t
is the worst tariff bill ever saw, not only
as regards the rates OF duty imposed, but
in the methods of imposing them. There
Is scarcely a line In the bill that will not
have to be Interpreted by the supreme
court"
Speaker Reed IS said to look with favor
upon plan submitted by Representative
Beach OF Ohio for the remodeling OF the
hall Of representatives SO as TO promote
comfort. convenience and the dispatch of
public business. The chamber is so large
and the members SO numerous that 1t is
almost impossible to avoid confusion. par
ticuarly when an interesting bill is under
consideration. The members can not be
prevented from INDUCING in CONVERSE
ton as many of them do most
Of their letter writing at their desks,
There is no other convenient place for this
work. except the committee ROOMS in
other parts Of the capitol.
The plan of MIR. Beach is an old one,
with an important modification 1t pro-
vides for reducing the size of the cham
her one half. II takes out all OF the desks
and furnishes sufficient room to seat all
the members. In the center aisle and be-
fore the desk OF the speaker is an area
hAAlAl may ~ bNNhpltl ny OldibAas IL
members do not care to listen to the pro-
ceedings, they can retire 10 writing. read
ing and consultation rooms, which 1t is
proposed to place in the area now oc-
cupied by the other half of the house.
II want to live to see the revival OF
the American merchant marine" said
William Rogers, a well-known shipbuilder
OF Bath, Me, who has completed nearly
100 ships in his time, at the Riggs house
a few days ago. When I went before
the mast in the early 40's the Yankee
clipper was the finest boat that rode the
seas. and our sailors were the smartest,
nerviest. most competent fellows that ever
our lost prestige on the ocean. and l
think that there is enough brains and
energy in the people Of this country 10
restore that former glorious status.
1T can only be affected by national
legislation. and while / have my own
views as to the method to be pursued. /
had rather wait and hear mere Sssar from Yn r
publicity TO my ideas. / am afraid, how
ever. that the policy of laying discrini-
mating duties Will not bring about the
good results Its advocates claim. They
mean well, but unless | am greatly mis-
taken their plan would not prove success
ful IN restoring our marine commerce.
In the meantime the construction of mer-
chant vessels is virtually dead in this
country. ard in none of the New Eng
iahd shipyards is there any material with
which TO build. Contrast this with the
record of Great Britain. which last year
added TO its steam mercantile fleet 100. :
goo tens and built sixteen new sail vessels
of 1000 tons EACH
A large number of special agents of the
general land office. most of them Southern
democrats. were recently dismissed by the
secretary of the interior. The dismissals
are said to be due to want of funds.
The next appropriation will become avail
able July l, when agents will be re-em-
ployed, but whether those who were dis
charged VIII be restored TO duty is an
entirely different question.
Washington. April l2.-Republcans are
daily becoming more uneasy about the
passage of the tariff bill. Strong demands
Tor prohibtiye duties on all classes of ar
ticles are being made ara senator's are 10th
TO act again st the wishes of their constitu-
ehts, while 1t is now confidently claimed
mat II the bill gets through the senate ~
al sharp reductions viii have 10 be made
me republicans can not force the HIM
through without aid from the other fac
lions, and this assistance seems to be he
coming mora and more doubtful uuantitv
me story in circulation here that Meylco
VIII Immediately enact tariff law placing
u prohipitiNe duty on American nacking
mousse products as n retaliatory measure
ON account Of the prohibitiye duty nInccJ
ny the llingley bill on Mexican cattle ms
produced profound impression. as no,k
lng mouse products are now the chief ar
licles OF export 10 Mexico, This feeling of |
nneaslness has been strengthened Inv tbn
reports of intended retaliatory duties in |
canada and Germany and the advice NJ =
probable protest from Italy against tho luN
les on lemons and oranges. Altogetber
ne tate 81 the bill Ia now regarded ne ~. |
no means certain, and the confusion With |
las grown out of the Disagreement o,,an |
ne appointment OF committees does No,
ire. '0' '''u meas
Two enslsns of the United States rav,,
vent TO 500 the "Man-o'- wars-,non" =, .,
irand opera house the other night on,
hey seemed TO have a whole lot If o,,o,
han ff.I,