The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-05-10
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Special Correspondent
WASu>rcroNr Nov >

WASHINGTON, May 2.
The collectorship of the port of
Brownsville has caused the officials of
the treasury department more trou-
bic and veXation than any dozen
country. Early last fall charges were
preferred against Collector Haynes,
and Immediately number of hungry
Texas Republican politicians hurried
on to Washington with the eXpecta-
ton of being placed in the position
OF the bounced collector. Haynes
was charged with being negligent and
in completely with the horde of
smugglers known to frequent the
Rio Grande, as well as the gulf coast
of Texas. He sent men here to work
in his behalf, and instead
of being deposed, he made
himself firmer with the grand moguls
of the treasury, and was allowed to
continue in office with the chances of
remaining there much better than be-
fore. The Republican wolves that
came here to&isplace him were great
ly exercised at the different action of
the heads of the department and pre-
ferred other charges of a still more
damaging character against Haynes
AT the same time each one of the
sanity Office seekers were Jealous of
each other, and each circulated tales
about the department about the others
equally as damaging as the charges
preferred against the incumbent.
BROWNSVILLE COLLECTOR.
None of them had the stand
ing or influence possessed by
Haynes in Radical circles, and this,
linked with the fact that the COM
plants made against him came from
his personal rivals, doubtless deferred
Folger from removing him. A few
of Haynes enemies still linger in
Washington hoping that they may
yet be able to have him displaced, and
one OF them put in charge of the
Brownsville custom house. Two nota-
BILE members of the gang have recent
ly been spoken about in the STATES
MAN. But the last one of them
might as well abandon all hopes,
for the recent action of the
solicitor of the treasury, Judge
Raynor, shows that Haynes
is stronger than ever at Washington.
The New York and Washington pa
pers have lately been strongly de-
nouncing the state of affairs along
the Rio Grande river. They claim
that at least 100000 is annually rob-
bed from the government by the ope-
rations of smugglers along the river.
Solicitor Raynor, to stop the clamor
and check the smuggling, if any ex-
listed, has decided that the Browns
vile collector of customs has the
authority to arrest smugglers as well
as to seize contraband goods. He
holds that the law is clear that the
collector is authorized to make ar
rests and further to hold the smug-
glerS to bail or put them in Jail.
This is almost placing despotic power
in Haynes hands and shows the
the confidence and esteem in which he
is held by the Republican party. 1t
is foolish for any politician to think
of displacing him unless evidence of
corruption far stronger than that
already adduced can be brought
to bear upon him. He is certainly
safe for the present. Great credence
was at first given by the treasury
officials to the charges against Haynes
and every one thought that his official
days were numbered, but he seems to
have quickly reinstated himself into
the good graces of Folger's depart
ment, and he is safe from the influence
of Col. Bob Taylor, Col. Murphy and
the host of other Republican
colonies who wanted his position.
That corruption existed in the
Brownsville office no one denies,
but whether it existed to the extent
claimed can hardly be possible. An
investigation of all the details of the
office would probably show that it
was conducted with the average hon
ternoon Texas Republican said to
the STATESMAN'S attache that he was
positive both Haynes and Umbden-
stock would go. Little credit was
given to his assertions.
SOME IMPROVEMENTS.
First Comptroller of the Treasury
Lawrence has received communica-
ton from Secretary Teller, of the in
terror department, which states that
an appropriation of $4,000 has been
made in the sundry civil bill to be
applied towards the fire proof recon-
struction of the combustible roofs
over the patent Office build
ing. The offices of the
interior department are located on the
east side of the patent Office, and Tel
Ter is afraid that another disastrous
confiagration may destroy the struct-
ure, hence his solicitude. If the work
is to be done it is of high Importance
that these bonds be made available
Immediately, so that the building sea-
no 10 o1x
tage before the advent of frost. 1t is
feared that Lawrence will, as usual,
resort to his delay tactics and con-
sumo weeks in discussing the legality
of matters. The judge is always the
friend of the treasury and of the
dear people when money is to go from
the vaults for purposes that will not
aid the Republican party.
He already declares that
the fund is not available until the
time specified in the act, June 80,
1889, and that no premature improve
ments, as he is pleased to term it, can
be allowed from the appropriation.
This kind of learned talk is always
to be expected from Lawrence, and
unless pressure is brought to bear
upon him, the work on the much
needed Improvements to the patent
office will not commence until mid
summer.
ACCUSES SECRETARY TELLER.
Senator Hill of Colorado has
opened fire upon Secretary Teller, Of
the interior department, accusing him
/ Of misusing his authority as
cabinet minister by placing
in office Colorado men known
to be scoundrels, also of
being controlled by the railroad rings
in Colorado and other states. The
war of words between the two boys is
growing warmer every day and has
been nothing less than a godsend to
the newspaper row pencil doctors.
Teller is talking calm and collected
while the irate senator is furious and
impolitic Hill asserts that Teller's
object was to secure and maintain
control over the grand old party in
Colorado for his own political adj
vancement and aggrandiZement
and he hints that he has
even worse facts in the background
with which to smear the garments of
the aged cabinet official, as usual
Frank Hatton, of Burlington Hawk
eye fame has managed to work him
self into the row and comes forward
with highly original defense for Tel
Ter. 1t consists apparently and solely
of a committee accusation against
Hill, of having secured his election as
senator by the expenditure of
$4,000 in brides. If this
should be proven-and. be
u Al \