Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-10-16
Washington Letter.
From our Regular Correspondent.

W hshinS'on Il now passing the
tedious moments that precede tho
political AMI social opening. The
President has long since resumed
bis arduous routine Of offics work
and hand shaking. The Cabinet
members are sll back, as are most
Of the employees of the different
Government offices. The Depart
men,s are remal kably well up with
their work Less complaint is heard
than has been known FOR years.
Political gossip is confined to the
campaigns in New York, Virginia
and Ohio, and to the resignation OF
tho two Republican Civil Service
Commissioners.
Attorney General Garlands con-
noction with the Bell telephone
suits comes in for a good deal of
comment and discussion. The At
torney General reached the city yes
tcidny and said that the first intima-
tion he had received of the connec-
ton Of his name with the suits was q
Telegram he received while ut Little
Rock, Arkansas, stating that the n.
Y. Tribune would make an attack
upon him. and offering the columns
Of the New Orleans Times Democrat
for any reply he might choose to
make. He replied to the message
of the 7imcs- DcmocrM that he had
not heard of the suit before and
knew nothing about it. He bad not
granted any authority to institute
such sui, aud was not aware that one
had been brought. He said: Il
own stock IN the Pan T. ectrc Com
psnv and was one of its first organ
lzers. 1t was started to introduce
Rog,J y invention and is an honor
able company. know nothing fur
ther about the matter, but Solicitor
General Goode was Attorney Gen
-ral in my absence and perhaps he
can give the desired information.
"Ou the 9th of August Attorney
Genera! Garland left Washington"
said Mr.. Goode, leaving me in
charge Of the department. Several
DAYS after there came to me, in the
regular course Of business, a COM
mu,ica, ion from Mr.. McCorry, the
United States Attorney for the West
ern District Of Tennessee, requesting
permission 10 use the name OF the
United States in suit to be brought
in that district 10 vacate and annul
tho Bell telephone patent. Several
afiidavits accompanied this commu-
nication, charging that the patent
had been obtained by false sugges.
ton, concealment of facts and collu-
sion with an examiner of patents by
the name OF Wilbur. After an ex.
animation of the papers submitted.
l became thoroughly satisfied that
prima .fdcie case had been made for
the vacation Of the patent. aud, in
asmueh as the matter could only be
tested in the courts by suit in the
name Of the United States, I granted
tho desired permission. The Su-
preme Court had repeatedly shown
that . patent can only be annuled
by the head Of the Department of
Justice. Mr.. Garland never in any
way mentioned the matter to me,
and had no knowledge whatever of
tho action taken by me. If any mis-
take has been committed assume
the whole responsibility"
Before leaving the Attorney Gen.
erals Office learned positively that
,he statement made by Senator Hoar
in his speech before the Springfield
Convention that every faithful ser
want Of the Department of Justice.
from the law. clerks down TO the
char-women, have been removed in
violation o; the civil service laws is
not true. No less than forty-seveu
old employees Of the office have been
retained, while the removals number
eleven. aud they were confidential
positions.
A number Of prominent New York
Democrats were at tho White House
yesterday and had long talk with
the President. They expressed
themselves as we'll satisfied with the
interview. The object was to de.
nounce the Mugwumps and to per.
suade the President to give them the
cold shoulder. They told the Presi-
dent he had gone quite far enough
in his concessions to the Mugwumps,
that they could not be depended on.
and that he should make no further
efforts to please them. They argued
that the appointments thus for made
in the Slate NJ Naw VOrE waro oof a
source Of strength TO the party.
The President listened very faith
fully TO the arguments of his New
York friends. He is willing TO do
all ho can, but he still adheres TO his
resolution to not directly interfere.
He says he will not make appoint.
msnts for the mere purpose of Of.