People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1894 — FROM WASHINGTON. [ARTICLE]

FROM WASHINGTON.

An Inleresline Batch of X’ew« Froth the Capitol. From our Regular Correspondent. Washington, Nov. 30.1894 The attempted war scare this week was a decided “fluke” and if it be chargeable, as many believe, to the Nicaragua canal lobby, it was a “bad break” oi the part of the lobby. The tin ger of suspicion certainly poinL that way. It was not until the eonimittee representing the bankrupt Nicaraqua canal com pany went to London, ostensibly In searsh of British capital, but really to “bluff” congress, that England stirred up things by announcing a sudden change of policy, which was followed by a visit from the Nicaraguan minister to Sec. Gresham and a frantic appeal for help to keep Johr Bull from swallowing Nicaragua, canal and all. Of course Nicaragua wants the canal built, and the lobby has impressed its officials with the idea that the tie best way to get it done by t lis government is to put oul tle impression that England is after it. There is no more danger of a war with England, ex eept of words, than there is of a prize fight between President Cleveland and Senator Hill.

It is rumored that President Cleveland will propose an extended use of silver as money ir his message. The idea that it is only western and southern men who favor silver is erroneous Representative Curtis, of New fork, says: “When we have a financial system established, ii will have to include the free and general use of silver. There cat be no makeshifts or half wa\ measures, for nothing short ol the general use of silver wib satisfy the people or 'fulfil the requirements of trade.” • • • If all Congressmen, or even a majority of them, ' thought, ae Representative Phillips, of Pa., toes, several very troublesome questions might be permanently settled. For instance, he said “I have long been an advocate of a plan to take the tariff out of politics. A non-partisan com mission of experts should bt appointed to deal with this sub ject. It is too bad that we shoud be periodically torn to pieces over the tariff, and that our ousiness interests should suffer from such constant agitation. Jo European country is so un wise. But after all, the tariff ind the silver question are bui minor issues. There must bt something else done to meet the changed condition of the times and to conserve out agricultura imd industrial interests, which nave been suffering for a long period. The people are discon tented and restless; they see vasi fortunes piled up by a few mer; and gigantic corporations levy ing tribute on the whole country. Something ought to be done, and lone quickly, in the way of wise, liberal up-to-date legislation, that will get us on the right track as a government and keep us there. The truth is, our legislation does not meet existing conditions. Laws that answered well enough one hundred and eighteen years ago when the nation was newly born are antiquated now. In recognition of the fact that our laboring men and agriculturists should have fair play, I would suggest that a commission composed of an equal number of these two classes, with a like representation of business men, be authorized by congress, to formulate some plan of legislation and reepmmend the enactment of such statutes as would be apt to bring relief and do exact justice among all. This seems a practical step in the right direction, and I expect to advocate some such measure, for it is something that cannot longer be delayed with safety.” • • • A number of members of the present House who failed to be

re-elected have demonstrated the wisdom of their constituents in retiring them from public life, by applying, by letter, to tlm Sergeant-at- Arms of the House for their mileage money to be forwarded to them, stating that they did not intend to come to Washington during the short session of cougress. Mileage, as most people know, is allowed Senators and Representatives to pay for their transportation to and from Washington at every session of Congress, and, although the Sergeant-at-Arms knows that most Congressmen travel on passes, the mileage is always paid when applied for in person. But he draws the line at paying mileage to men who remain at home, and has so informed the would be shirkers. And that isn’t all. These men may find themselves unable to draw their salaries for the remaining three months of their term, if they do not come to Washington and attend to their duties. • • • A plan is being talked up by the opponents of the income tax to kill that law by refusing to appropriate the money necessary to carry it into effect. Secretary Carlisle estimates that $500,000 will be needed and he will ask congress to make an appropriation of that amount for the purpose. It is claimed b\ those who are on the deal that i will be comparatively easy ti defeat the appropriation, if i can be done without a recore vote. The law has strong and ajert friends in both Sonar,e and House who are as good parlia mentarians as there are in con gress and they will see that tht appropriation gels a fair chance to become a law, and that if it is defeated it will be by an open vole.