The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-11-29
WASHINGTON.
From our Regular Correspondent.
Washington, Nov. 90,


the public and by the knowledge
that if it had been attempted the
Democratic Senators would have
blocked all legislation at this session
of Congress. Instead of angering
the Democrats, the Republican
leaders have adopted a jollying
policy toward them, and indulge in
lots of talk about making this a
business session of Congress, free
from partisan chickering's. If they
really wish to do that, it can easily
be done, as the Democrats are dis
posed to meet them halfway i'll
helping along legislation that is not
tainted with partisanship, but they
need not expect to pull the wool
over Democratic eyes by labelling
notorious jobs, such as the ship
subsidy bill, Commercial legis-
lation." Democrats will see that
no legislation will go through at
this session under false pretenses.
They will not attempt to prevent
the majority carrying out its will
in general legislation, but they will
see tha: the nature of every bill
proposed is fully explained to the
country before it is allowed to get
through. Under the House rules
this cannot be done there, but it
can be done in the Senate.
Mr.. McKinley's administration
does not lack shrewdness in keeping
up its prestige The drift of affairs
in China indicates the probability
Of the United States being frozen
out of the concert of powers. Sec
ing this the administration proceed
ed to discount its possible effect by
announcing through unofficial
channels that in certain contingen-
cies this government might find it
necessary to withdraw from the
concert Of powers in China and
protect American commercial inter-
ests by dealing with China indie
pendently, although it would prefer
to do so in concert with the other
powers.
Even the Department Of Agri-
culture shares in the general ten
dency to increase the ordinary
expenditures Of the government
tendency which is bound to make
much trouble if not checked. The
estimates for appropriation for the
Department Of Agriculture for the
next fiscal year, now ready for sub
mission to Congress, aggregate
81, 659, $50, which is all increase of
10 per cent over the appropriations
for the current fiscal year.
Holders of government places
who have no strong pull to fall back
on, or who spoke, worked, or voted
for Bryan in the late campaign are
being made somewhat shaky by the
knowledge that there is greater
pressure tor small appointments
under the government than there
was ever known before. Some time
ago there was a report in Washing
ton that Republican workers in
some Of the doubtful states had been
told to pitch in and work with all
their might, and that they would be
taken care of if Mckinley was re-
elected, regardless Of the civil serv-
ice law, Not much attention was
paid at the time to this report, but
the present activity of Republican
office-seekers indicates that such
promises were made. Time will
show whether they are to be kept,
Senator Wolcott, OF Colorado,
will be succeeded by Democrat
when he retires next March, but
from the talk in administration
circles it is considered almost certain
that he will be rewarded for his
support of McKinleyism by big
position in the diplomatic service,
probably an ambassadorship.
The members Of the House Ways
and Means Committee, which met
this week to consider a bill for the
reduction of war taxes, will not be
allowed to have any say in the
matter until the Republican mem
bers have completed a bill. The
Republicans of the committee have
conferred with Mr.. Mckinley,
Secretary Gage and Commissioner
Wilson of the Internal Revenue
Bureau, since they came together.
Mr.. Mckinley told them that some
reduction must be made in order to
make good his election prom