Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-01-28
Washington Letter.

now chairman of that committee and
soon to succeed him at the head of
the state department. that neither
prejudice nor q desire to get even
with the administration was playing
any part in the consideration of the
arbitration committee; that senator's
were only after the fullest informa-
ton about those sections Of the treaty
upon which more than one construc-
ton could be placed, and that when
that information had been obtained
the treaty would be dealt with ac-
cording to It's merits.
The result OF none of the Senatorial
contests gave more satisfaction to re-
publicans in Congress than the re-
election of Senator Pritchard of North
Carolina. There was double salts
faction They were glad to see Sena-
tor PrichaTd reelected because they
thought he deserved to be, and because
it was singing defeat for Senator
Butler, the man who traded the pop
ulist votes to Sewall, and who has been
posing as the biggest headed rooster
in the populist barnyard and other
WISE making show of himself.
This week has been almost entirely
devoted to routine business in both
branches of congress, excepting the
time given up to the Nicaragua Canal
bill in the Senate. The republican
members of the House Ways and
Means committee are sticking stead
lily to the hard task Of preparing the
tariff bill-how hard this work really
is there are few who understand, out
side OF those who have taken part in
similar Jobs.
Ex-President Harrison, ex-Attor-
ney General Miller and ex-Vice Presi-
dent Morton were in Washington this
week, but their visit has no political
significance. as none of them are now
actively in politics. The first two
came in connection with a case they
had before the Supreme court and the
latter on business connected with his
large holdings of Washington real
estate.
A petition signed by more than
two hundred members of the House,
asking that time be given for the con-
sideration of % bills on the calendar
providing for the erection of public
buildings in various states. was pre-
sented to Speaker Reed this week by
committee headed by Representative
Hicks of Pennsylvania. Mr.. Reed
now has the matter under considera-
ton. Although he candidly told the
committee that he was personally OPP
posed to appropriations of this nature
while the annual deficit is $5S, 900, 900,
and that he did not approve of pass
ing bills providing for public build
ings and leaving the appropriations
to pay for them to be made by other
Congresses. There is a possibility
that he may grant the request of the
5ners of the petition0and set aside
one or more days for the considera-
tion of these bills.
The silver democrats are already
weakening on their program, of pre-
venting the confirmationIof the nomi-
nation of gold democrats for office.
Secretary Francis was confirmed with
out division. and the nomination of
ex-Congressman Forman who was the
gold democratic candidate for gov
ernor of Illinois, to be commissioner
of Internal Revenue, and of VIM.
Crow McCreery to be collector of the
first district of Missouri, have been
favorably reported and viii probably
be confirmed. Some of the small fry
nominations will probably be per-
manently hung up because they have
nobody in the Senate to make fight
for them.
The House committee of Public
Lands spoiled some democratic stories
by promptly reporting back to the
House the Free Homestead bin just as
it was passed by the Senate. Chair
man Lacey presented minority re-
port favoring the exceptions Of lands
the government is selling as trustee
for Indians.
Senators will not discuss the Della
ware Senatorial mudaie for publica-
ton, but it is good guess to say that
Mr.. kenney. the democrat who claims
to have been elected TO the Senate