Middletown transcript., 1886-02-19
Our washington Letter.

| WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, l0S6.-Thert
have been many rumors during
the week Of impending Cabinet
changes. These rumors are periodic
and usually unfounded. The Treasury
andD Department of Justice are the Offices
particularly referred to, and in the case
of the latter, gossip goes so far as to
designate the Attorney Generals sue
sor.
There has been more quiet pressure
brought to bear upon the Administers
tion to effect Mr.. Garland's removal
than the public is aware of. But the
President keeps his own counsel, and
he is quoted as having intimated to an
of1icious friend, after patiently listen
ing to his suggestion on this subject,
that when he desired advice touching
his own business, he would ask for it.
Besides, Mr.. Garland is proud man,
and would not be willing to remain in
his present position day were he not
assured of the Presidents fullest con-
fidence.
AS for the Secretary of the Treasury,
should he conclude to retire it could
scarcely be from dissatisfaction with
his position or with the President, or
for any dissatisfaction on the part of
the President with him, as they have
worked in perfect accord together for
longer period than this Presidential
term. Mr.. Manning has often said,
however, that he only entered the Cab
met to assist the President in inaugu-
rating certain reforms. This being
done, he had no further object in re
naming. He could not desire to make
money while holding so important a
place as that of the Secretary of the
Treasury, and he has often spoken of
a settled purpose to retire from public
life.
During the present week, education
will be the subject of debate in the Sen.
ate and the Fitz John Porter case will
be again dragged through the House.
Representative Swinburne, Of New
York, in speech on the Porter bill,
bore testimony, from personal observa-
tion, to the jealousies which existed
among the officers of the Army and
said jealousy seemed to him to be one
Of the fine arts taught at West Point.
The findings of the court martial in
the case of General Porter, were, he
thought, largely the result of jealousy.
He was followed by Mr.. Houk, of Ten
nessee, who said Porter was guilty of
treachery, and ought to have been
shot.
The discussions which the Blair Ed
ucational bill elected in the Senate
during the last Congress are likely to
be repeated in this. The subject was
exhaustively considered then, and little |
that is new can be said upon it now.
Senator Morgan, of Alabama, is still
in the fore front of the opposition with
a clearer field before him now that Mr..
Garland is not there to confute him,
He still argues that the bill cannot find
a foot hold in the Constitution, and
that it is an unWarrentable invasion of |
the States rights. He does not believe
that the whole country should he taxed
for the benefit of localities, and he pro-
tests that the Government has no more
right to make appropriations for the
public schools of State than for it's
churches or dispensaries.
The Senator said he knew many
would reproach him for opposing a
measure that seemed to be great ben
eft to the people of Alabama but he
prayed God he might not falter in giving
obedience to the Constitution he had
sworn to support. His answer to the
enlightened people of his State would
be that he preferred the spirit of truth,
which dieth not, to the body of error
even though crowned with jewels, for
its bridal with death.
In the course of these remarks, Sen
ator George Of Mississippi, asked him
if Calhoun had not voted for a certain
measure. I" don't know" replied the
Senator from Alabama, land with all
respect for the memory of Mr.. Cal
houn, don't care. Mr.. Calhoun voted |
on both sides of many questions, and
voted sincerely every time"
There were two brilliant events at
The White House during the past week.
Fhe Presidents third state dinner was
held in honor Of the Supreme Court,