The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-07-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, July 10th, 1sS6.-Noth-
ing has attracted more attention for /
some time probably than the presidents
latest order admonishing all federal Of |
fees to take no active part in politics
during the coming campaign. The
principle which he desires to impress
upon the heads of departments and
their subordinates is that political &C
tioR should be kept free from official
section. He does not ask them to alb
stain from politics, but he draws nice
lines of distinction. They are not to
misuse their offices for partisan ends.
The order created quite a surprise at
the capitol on Thursday, but our law
makers were so busily engaged in the
pressing duties OF legislation that there
was not much discussion of the subject.
There are but few democrats who do
not sustain the presidents ideas if pub
lie expressions be a criterion. They
say it is in accordance with Mr.. Cleve-
lands previous position and demon
strates his consistency.
Many OF the republican senators even
give the president credit for sincerity,
but they express faithlessness in the;
power of the order to change the situa-
ton. They say it will be subjected to
very liberal construction during the
campaign and that it cannot be enforce
ed because it will fail to get the sup
port of high government officials. This,
of course, remains TO be seen.
The Morrison resolution for disposing
of the surplus in the treasury passed
the house by the overwhelming vote of
207 to 81, party lines not being drawn.
The resolution roads as follows
Whenever the surplus in the treasury.
including amount held for redemption
of United States notes, shall exceed the
sum OF 100000 900, it shall be the duty
of the secretary of the treasury to APP
ply such excess in sums not less than
ten millions per month during the exis-
tence of any such surplus or excess to
the payment of the in terest bearing in
debtedness of the United States, paya-
BILE at the option of the government"
In the debate on the surplus Repre-
; sentative Mckinley OF Ohio was dispos-
ed to mingle some fun. Said he, "there
is not a single thing upon which this
democratic party agrees and is in posi-
tive accord except getting offices; not
one." Mr.. Morrison interposed, sand
we are getting along only middling a.
all" eyes you are getting them very
i slowly" said Mr.. Mckinley and the
democrats laughed with the republi
cans.
Many are wondering what will be tn,
fate of the river and harbor bill which
has nearly reached vote on the senat,
i, and with which the senators have beer
sitting up late into the night hoping Il
t get through with it and thereby hasteI
Y to final adjournment. And then they
, are wondering what will become of i
when it goes back for conference to thu
house committee and again when
from the annfarQnaa intO fbi
house. Congressman Hatch of Missou'
ri, Oleomargarine's applicable foe, will
d not vote for it when it comes back. H,
= said he strained his conscience to Vot,
: for it the first time but his moral cour
age will stand by him when it come
around again.
K Senator Vest made long speech il
which he said he had had grave ant
e reverend senators buttonhOle him ant
say that if they did not get this or tina
n appropriation put in the bill the,
= would be beaten in the next election
d 1t was a case of "help me, Cassius. or
sink" Senators come into the cham
e Der and had their amendments put int,
the bill and they had them stood VI
within three feet OF Mr.. Vest and de
J. nounced the whole scheme as a piece O
n unconstitutional corruption. Com bina
tions had been Elade on the very foo
F.. of the senate in relation to this bill
The plan was to help me put in my ap
preparation and will help you put il
t yours. He had senators to come to hin
q and say, "Vest, you were right in you
argument about the Kentucky river Blu
] was in the gang and could not leav
y the procession. | had my part and ha(
to let somebody else have his part
, And it will be so to the end of time.
3 Commissioner Sparks continues hi
u vigorous fight against the land thieve
q and never stops his good work to refut'
the calunanies that are heaped upol
y him. The attention of the land grab
bers should be called to one fact how
; ever. The general has issued more lan(
J. patents since his incumbeney than any
previous commissioner ever passed iI
+ the same length of time and his have
o the merit of being honest.
While republican papers are saying
that this administration is pre- eminent
~ the enemy of the soldier, they should
make a note of the fact that Commits
. sioner Black has issued over one hun
dred and ten thousand certificates t.
{ pensioners since he assumed the duties
= of his office, which is ten per cent. more
: than any OF his predecessors ever issued
o in the same length of time. The amount
paid for pensions during the fiscal yeal
= Just ended exceeded that of the previ-
5 Gus year by $6,S00,000 and Presiden
Cleveland has signed six pension bill
where he hSs vetoed one.