San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1886-03-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Mar. 13, 1886

begun. Although all the discussion
which could be crowded within tn
next twelve months would notremovt
the question at issue from the cate
CORY of vexed political problems, the
people will be glad to have the sub
Iject thoroughly aired and both par
ties to the controversy relieved o
their surplus energy and prepared to
settle down to real work of the ses
sion. However widely opinions may
differ as to the merits of this case
there will be n general approval if the
debate shall produce, as one of its
indirect results, the throwing of ex'
ecutive business open to the public
There is no logical reason why exec
utive business should be treated as il
it was asacred mystery, while legisla'
tive and judicial business is conduct
cd under the eyes of the people who
create the government, pay taxes for
it's maintenance, and fight battles in
| Iitsldefense. All three should stand
on the same footing. The masses
of thepeople can generally be trusted,
they do not abuse the confidence of
the few whom they elect at once to
serve and rule over them. There
may have been o time, early in the
history of the republic, and while
popular self-government in America
was still in the experimental stage,
when prudence dictated the distinc-
ton now observed. But that day is
long past. The star chamber is an
unsavory historic reminiscence. Its
methads are repugnant to the taste
and unsuited to the needs of peo-
pie who have learned the arts of sov-
ereignty.
The death of Senator Miller, of CAL
ifornia, leaves vacant one of the most
important committee chairmanshipsin in
the senate-thdt of foreign relations.
Senator Sherman holds the position
next to the chairman and at meet
ing of the committee to-day presided.
Next in order is Senator Edmunds,
with Mr.. Frye and Mr.. Evarts fol-
lowing in the order named. AS Sen
ator Edmunds holds the chairman
ship he most values-that of the ju-
diciary-of course he would not
it, Senator Sherman when
he was elected president pro tempore,
resigned the craftsmanship of tho
library committee, but as it is COM
paratively unimportant, he made no
srcrifce. It is no secret that he
would gladly have accepted the
foreign relations charm anship at the
time Senator Miller was chosen. 1t
has not been the custom for the pre-
siding officer to hold committee
but there. is no rule to
prevent it, and it has been dcne,
in the case of Mr., Edmunds,
who, during his entire service as pre-
siding officer, held the Judiciary chair
Senator Frye, who comes next on
the committee to Mr.. Edmunds, is
chairman of the committee on rules,
but he would probably very willing
ly surrender that to become the head
of the foreign relations committee.
Mr. Evarts, it is understood, would
not object to the position, and be-
cause of his eminent position there
are some who are inclined to give it
to him, Notwithstanding his brief ser
vice in the senate. Mr.. Evarts has
no craftsmanship.
In political sense the chairman
ship of this committee bids fair TO be-
come of more importance even than
in the past, especially should there
be any protracted conflict between
the Senate and the administration.
The Secretary of the Treasury did
not appear before the House com
mittee "Wednesday in response to the
invitation, nor was Mr..
Jordan present. Both gentlemen all
dressed letters to the committee, max
ing excuses on account Of the press
of departmental duties. The Secre-
tary acknowledged the receipt OF
copies Of the various bills to prevent
the contraction Of the currency, which
were sent him and saws: ''In reply /
beg most respectfully to say that my
time is so fully occupied by the cur
rent business ofthe department il is
impossible for me 10 make such study
Of these proposed measures now as
their importance calls for, and begs
the indulgance Of the committee for
not being present He and also
that he would be glad 70 furnish the
committee any information he pos
se-se1 add they sought
NJ. Jordan asked the committee TO
come and see him ~ his ofbce, and
they decided 10 do 50. l.