Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1886-07-30
at a5hiaS.oa StanaaTd
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Regular Correspondent.


all Federal ottieeholders to take no
active part in politics during the com
ing campaign. The principle which
he desires to impress upon the heads
OF departments and their suhordinates
is that political action should be kept
free from otiitiAl COERCION He does
not ask them To abstain 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 lawmakers were SO
bueily engaged III the pressing duties
of legislation that there was not much
discussion OF the subject. There are hut
few Democrats who do not sustain the
Presidents ideas, if public expressions
be a criterion. They say it is in ac-
cordance with Mr.. Cleveland's previous
position and demonstrates his consis-
tency. Many of the Republican Sena-
tors even give the President credit for
sincerity, but they express faithlessness
in the power of the order to change
the situation. They say it will be sub
jected to very liberal construction
during the campaign, and that it can
not be enforced because it will fail to
get the support of high Government
officials. This, of course, remains to
be seen.
The Morrison resolution, for dispos-
ing of the surplus in the treasury,
passed the House by the overwhelm-
ing vote of POI to 81, party lines not
being strictly drawn. The resolution
reads as follows: Whenever the sur
plus in the treasury, including amount
held for redemption of United States
notes, shall exceed the sum of $780,.
100000, it shall be the duty of the Sec.
rotary of the Treasury to apply such
excess, in sums not less than ten mil
lions per month, during the existence
OF any such surplus, or excess, to the
payment of the interest-bearing in
debtedness of the United States, pay
able at the option of the Government.
In the debate on the surplus Repre-
sentative Mckinley, of Ohio, was dis
posed to mingle some fun. Said he
O. there is not single thing upor
which this Democratic party agree,
and is in positive accord except getting
offices; not one" Mr.. Morrison inter
posed, and We are getting along only
middling at that" Eyes, you are get
ting them very slowly" said Mr.. Nc
Kinley, and the Democrats laughed
with the Republicans.
Many are wondering what will b,
the fate Of the river and harbor bill
which has nearly reached vote in tn,
Senate, and with which the Senators
have been sitting up late into the nigh
hoping to get through with it ant
thereby hasten the final adjournment
And then they are wondering wha
will become of it when it goes back TO
conference to the House committee
and again when it comes from confer
ence into the House. Congressman
Hatch, of Missouri, oleomargarine'
implacable foe, will not vote for i
when it comes back. He said h
strained his conscience to vote for
the first time, but his moral courag
will stand by him when it come
around again.
Senator Vest made long speech i
!, which he said he had had grave an
reverend Senators buttonhole him an
say that if they did not get this or ths
appropriation put in the bill the
would be beaten in the next election
1t was a case of " Help me, Cassius, {
/ sink" Senators had come into til
chamber and had their amendmen,
put into the bill, and they had the
stood up within three feet of Mr.. We,
and denounced the whole scheme as
piece of unconstitutional corruption
Combinations had been made on til
very floor of the Senate in relation {
this bill. The plan was to help m
put in my appropriation and l wi
help you put in yours. He had SEN
tors come to him and say, Vest, yo
were right in your argument about IL
Kentucky river, but 1 was in the gar
and could not leave the procession.
l had my part and 1 had to let som
body else have his part. And it wou
be so to the end of time.
Commissioner Sparks continues h
vigorous fight against the land THEW
and never stops his good work to r
flute the calumnies that are heape
upon him. The attention of the Ian
grabbers should be called to one fac
however. The General has issue
more land patents since his incun
bency than any previous Commissio,
er ever passed in the same length
time, and his have the merit of bein
honest.
While Republican papers are sayin
that this Administration is pre-em
nently the enemy of the soldier, the
should make note of the fact ths
Commissioner Black has issued owe
one hundred and ten thousand certif
Gates to pensioners since he assume
the duties of his Office, which is tie
per cent. more than any of his pred.
cessors ever issued in the same lengt
OF time. The amount paid for per
sions during the fiscal year Just ende
eycppdad that of <bo ,1.o,:1. 49,. ,