St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-13
BACK FROM WASHINGTON.
Congressman WasEburn Talks of the Netc
Administration and of Vari0Ms HAT
Sa,. Of D,.bIjc Tnforesf

Congressman w. D. Washburn had just
ner he had taken with his family for many
days. Always amiabe he could not then be
otherwise last night, and when GLOBE re-
porter corraled him in the library of his
princely house he divided his cigars and told
his little story with characteristic affability.
He had only arrived in Minneapolis in the
afternoon, coming direct from New York.
81 know very little that would be of inter-
est to the people of the Northwest" he said,
''beyond which has already been told fully aud
completely in the public papers. My public
career is ended, and am back among my
family and friends again. Now then, what
do you want?''
"Of course you attended the inaugural
festivities. What were your impressions OF
President Clevelands"
VIEWS OF THE NEW ADMINISTRATION.
81 was very agreeably disappointed in
the new president and the impressions got
of him were decidedly favorable. At the
inaugural my chair was only few feet from
him and heard every word of his address
with perfect distinctness. While it
was not paper Oh any
remarkable brilliancy, it was all sound
doctrine, characteristic of the man and l
believe sincere. 1t was the official announce
ment of the course he had already outlined
and his utterauces were in the channel ex-
pected. His new career has not been suffi-
GENTLY long to determine how far his
practice will bear out his professions of the
civil service idea, but it is generally believed
among the Republicans that he will adhere to
them. Of course, Democrats will succeed
Republicans, in the various official positions,
but believe the number will be very small
of good Republicans removed from Office,
simply to give place to Democrat, though
equally good. In my Judgment, there will
be fewer removals than will please the ma
jority of bis party"
''How did the cabinet appointments strike
you?''
THE CABINET OFFICIALS.
sThe appointments were generally very
well received and the new council is COM
posed of men of unusual ability. The choice
Of Manning and Lamar, however, was quite
severely criticised in many quarters. Man
ming, while man of undoubted ability and
genius, is the boss machine politician OF
New York, and to put him at the head of so
important department as the treasury
was, I think, a mistake. OF
course his close friendship and near relations
with the president brought him the position.
Manning made Cleveland governor and
afterward made him president, may say. AS
of Lamar, while man of talent, he has not the
executive ability necessary to the conduct of
the vast details of the interior department.
The other appointments gave general salts
faction, especially that of Gen. j. G. Black
to the head of the pension bureau"
After some desultory conversation on gov
ornamental affairs, Gen. Washburn spoke of
the defeated river and harbor bill and its re-
lation to the upper Mississippi reservoir.
''The original estimates" said he, "gaye US
$4,000, but every amount was scaled down
by the committee to about 25 per
cent. and the bill failed altogether. The
amount for the reservoirs was put at S35, 900,
though it matters very little now what it
was.'
THE REAGAN BILL.
''What are your views on the interstate
commerce bill!"
The Reagan bill? Oh, that's an old story,
a last years bird's-nest. Of1course l was
against it most heartily, as it would have
been the utter destruction of the interests of
this section of the country. 1t passed the
adopted which was entirely different 1t was
the Culom substitute aud provided for the
appointment of commission. 1t then
came hack to the house and under the rules
went to the table, where it remained until
the end of the session, without the possibility
of action -
You would have supported it!"
Undoubtedly. The Culom bill was
good one, but the Reagan bill was ruinous.
We need, very badly, some judicious inter
state commercial legislation"
THE MINNEAPOLIS GOVERNMENT BUILDING.
At the mention of the new government
building for Minneapolis a bright smile
chased itself across the features of the cou-
gresham. 1t was by the hardest kind of
work he had secured an extension of the
maximum expense, and he was proud and
happy over it. ''The first estimate, ''he said,
''was only about $3.50, 600 and it has been
increased to about $500, 200, or nearly
5000, 900. About $500, 900 of this sum is
now available, and work will be commenced
and vigorously pushed. Proposals for the
construction of the basement stories will be
asked for in few days, and considerable
work will be done before the summer is
ended.''
In speaking of various matters, Gen.
Wasbburn said, in reply to question, that
the removal of Judge Carey as register of
government lands at Duluth and the APP
pointment of Gen. Hartley was done at the
instance of Senator Sabin. perhaps in
payment of political debt, but really !
don't know" Before saying good night, he
was asked about the Anoka mills and re-
ode