National Republican., 1883-02-09
ON TIE AVENUE.
small rnlI. About Bren and measures.

The avenue man importuned a member Of
the Michigan delegation, who has no aspira-
tions and is not dark horse, for his views
on the senatorial contest in his state, and re-
ceived the. following reply "scnator Ferry
processes the utmost confidence in his re-elcc-
ton when the legislature reconvenes next
Tuesday, but must confess 1 cannot see how
he is going to make it. The men who have
been voting for him may continue to vote for
him, but he cannot bo elected unless the whole
democratic strength goes to him. He can
probably get fifteen or eighteen democratic
and grecnback votes when he wants them,
but when this element rallies to his support
he will lose fifteen or twenty republican
votes. In tho break which will ensue his
following will scatter and he will be left out
in the cold. His only hope is to stand firm,
and, in my opinion, excessive frmness only
means prolongation of the struggle and
ultimate defeat The senator must know
that he is beaten, but he hates to admit it..
His best friends know IL, and they have urged
him to namo his successor and retire. Noma
can be elected who is distasteful to Ferry,
and it may be put down as an absolute Ger
tainty that he will not consent to the eleva-
any way prominent in fighting him. Although
he cannot be elected he is master Of the situa-
tion to the extent that he can dictate terms
before he surrendcrs. Several dark horses
who have been led up and down the quarter
stretch aud specded around the course nave
gone lame to n man, and 50 far rs / am able
to perceive there is no man who fills the
popular eyo ut this juncture. Palmer OF
Detroit might do if he were differently
located geographically, and Representative
Willitts 10 similarly situated. Burrows might
have stood a show If he had not turned in and
fought Ferry when there was no call for him
TO mix in. His freshness killed him. Joe
Hanna posed too soon. Judge Witchey, of
Grand Rapids, Is most talked of as q possi-
bility. He is n personal friend of Senator
Ferry, but he is not a man of special force, and
would not add to the luster of tho state. He
Is physically delicate, cannot make speech
TO save his life, and has no political training
The Christiancy business is too fresh in
the minds OF tho people of Michigan
to tempt them to rob tho bench of u good
judge to make a senator of doubtful quality.
/ do not think he will be chosen. Rcpresen-
tativc Lacey is dark horse of great promise
He has been faithful to Ferry, and has kept
his friends in line for the caucus nominee
from the start, refusing to let them bring him
out at any stage Of the voting, although they
were anxious to give them their active sup
port. Lacey would make creditable SENATOR
and when Fcrry is confronted with the last
ditch-neccssty of naming on heir--itis quite
easy to believe he will select tho member
from the third district Lacoy). That is all
/ know about it,"
80
The secretary of the interior and the senate
committee on Indian affairs are inquiring into
the record of i. j. Miles, who has been reap
pointed agent of the Usage Indian agency
upon the recommendation of Commissioner
Price, and there is possibility that the Sec
retary may ask the President to withdraw
the nomination. About year and half
ago charges were lodged in the department
on behalf of the Indians TO the effect that
they had been stripped Of their rations for
the support of Miles and his relatives; that
the agent had formed cattle ring, COM
posed of his clerks, employees, and him
self, and that this ring had usedl money
belonging to tho Indians for the purchase of
its stock; that the ring cattle were herded on
the reservation by u cousin of Miles, who was
| paid for his service from the Indians funds
that Miles "stood in with trader by the
name of John Flarcr, who is accused of hav-
ing regularly and systematically cOnllscatcd
the annuities when they were paid the In
dams, and that he (BIiles) permitted his
father to speculate in ponies, which were fed
with hay and provender belonging to the In
dian school of which the agent was superin-
tendent. These charges were investigated
by Special Inspectors Smith and Pol
lock, and it is claimed that the
reports in great measure confirmed the allie.
cations of irregularities; but, as the reports
arc held to be confidential communications by
the department, this information is non-ofli.
cial. The commissioner of Indian affairs as
sured those who inquired of him in regard tC
the charges that the agent had made IL I" salts
factory explanation" and would not be re
moved. Secretary Teller did not know o
these charges, and on Prices recommendation
sent Miless name to the President for renom-
inaton. The papers in the case have beer
sent for by the senate committee, it is under
stood.
30
"Brime" was put on the FREQ list in thu
senate yesterday. None of the senators knew
what il meant, and the dictionaries and en-
cyclopedias were silent on the subject. 81
typographical errors are to be put on the FIRE,
list will have no protection" was the de
J spairing utteranco of Senator Hawley whol
the result of tho vote was announced,
%7a
In discussing tariff probabilities yesterday
member who is not given to garrulity oil
the floor, but who is nevertheless in his sea
: when the roll is called, said I" If all the re
publicans were in earnest in their desire II
pass tariff bill the house could wind up til,
business in a hurry; but the trouble is hal
of them arc openly for tariff reduction an,
revision and secretly opposed it. They ar
perfectly willing the discussion should dra
on indefinitely to the certain defeat of tn
. hill Tharn tpar,l,nf,q xsyhn