Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-04-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, April ;,

tion, more generally known as the
Bankers convention, are in Washington
trying to talk senators and representa-
tivcS into supporting bill providing for
a monetary commission. The members
OF the committee profess to be iubilant
over the bills outlook, but senators
and representatives appear to be entire
ly Indifferent to the subject. Represen-
tative Heatwole, of Minnesot offered
a resolution last week for the creation
Of such a commission, but there is
nothing in sight to indicate that it will
be acted upon, Notwithstanding the i'm
piled support Mr.. Mckinley gave the
scheme just after the indianapolis cor
yention.
There is some very lively kicking
among the newcomers at the working of
Mr.. Mckinleys rule against reappoint
ing men who held office under Harrison
When this rule was first announced the
newcomers were delighted, but I'll look
at it differently now, when they see the
case with which the members of the
"eX" brigade are quietly gathering up
the good things. The reappontment
of Mr.. Palmer to be public printer was
received with wry faces by the new
comers, but when Mr.. Palmer took
charge of the government printing Office
and reappointed w. ii. Collins chief
clerk and ii. p. Brian foreman, words
were uttured that cannot be printed in
family newspaper.
They are telling little story about
Car Reed at the expense of number
of senator's According to the story, the
Car just before the meeting of the
extra session, attended dinner party
where the guests were nearly all sena-
tors, some of whom where expressing
dreful forebodings about what would
happen to senatorial dignity when "Bl
y" Mason, with his free and easy
manners, entered that body. The czar
tired ont of that sort of thing, and turn
ing to the senators asked in that eXasle
ating drawl which he doesn't drop into
so often in the house as he used to, do
you think Mason will stay in the senate
long enough to become as dull as the
rest of you?"
The tariff bill has been in the hands
of the senate finance committee long
enough to make it certain that it is going
to be cut and slashed very much by that
committee, not to mention what will be
done to it after it gets reported to the
senate. Republican senators are very
free in saying that the bill is not what
it ought to be. That, of course, is not a
sure sign that it will be bettered in the
senate, merely Il sign that it will be very
much changed. The clause making the
duties imposed b. the bill when it be-
| comes law collectab!e on all importa-
tions ordered after April /, is generally
regarded as merely farcical scarecrow,
set up to frighten timid importers.
The selection of exRepresentative
Ben njamn Butterworth, of Ohio, to BE-
commissioner of patents, place he fill
ed once before to the satisfaction of all
those having dealings with the office,
can scarcely be considered political, as
Mr.. Butterworth has expressed opinions
upon the tariff and silver question that
were long ways from being in accord
with those held by Mr.. Mckinley and
the men who are dominating his admins
tration and the Il plblican party at this
time. Mr.. Bntterworth's appointment
can be credited to the friendship of Mr.
Mckinley for him, and to his eminent
fitness for the place.
Senator Jones, of Arkansas, chairman
| of the Democratic national committee
has issued an address indorsing the ap-
! peal made by President Black, Of the
National Association of Democratic
| Clubs, for a celebration of the 154th
anniversary Of the birthday of Thomas
Jefferson, the author of the Declaration
of Independence and the founder OF the
American Democracy, on the thirteenth
day of this month by all Democratic
organizations.
1t now looks as though Speaker Reed
really intended to carry out the
programme of only having the house
meet twice a week-on Wednesdays and
Saturdays-and adjourn. 1t may be
that he can keep this thing up during
the two or three months that the senate
will take to pass the tariff bill, but
many are predicting that he will have
to give the house chance to do some
thing or it will do something in spite of
HIM
The oflicc-Seokers have proven to be
too much for Mr.. Mckinley and the
official announcement is made that he
will this week run away from them by
taking little trip for two or three days
| for rest.
Not much surprise was caused by the
announcement that eX-Secretary Carlisle
had been retained to look after the legal