Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1886-02-26
WasHfNGT0N LETTER.
Washington, Feb. Sth, 1856.

Caolnet the recent publications. regard
ing Mr.. Garland's connection with the
Pam Electric Telephone Company.
They understand the whole affair, but
the President expressed the wish that
his official household should take no
part in the controversy at present, nor
say anything for publication.
This policy of silence is adopted be
cause the President feels that time
will vindicatc the Attorney, General,
and because the source and motives of
the attack upon Mr. Garland are un-
derstood. The war wagcd by certain
newspapers now is well pail for by
the Bell Telephone Company, and It's
purpose is to intimidate the Admins
tration and thus prevent the Gov
ernment from carrying out the pro
Crane withregard to suits to test the VII
idity of the Bell patent.
But the conspiracy has in no degree
discouraged the prosecution of this
suit. 1t will not be delayed any long
er than is necessary for preparation,
an array of prominent counsel having
been alleady selected to aid the De-
partment Of Justice. Solicitor Gener
al Goode will conduct the suit, and ex-
Senator Thurman, Mr. Lowery of New
York, an electrician specialist, and
Messrs Eppa Hunton, JEFF. Chandler
and Whitman of this city will assist
1t has not yet been determined where
the trial will be held. The Bell Com
pany wants it N Boston, and others
think it should be argued in some
Western city where there has been no
previous litigation or feeling OH the
subject
The climax of absurdity was reached
in comparing the Pan Electric affair
to the "Credit Mobilier" In the
Credit Mobiler business, officials were
bribed to corruptly act in their official
capacity and give life and value there
by to corrupt scheme to tilch money
from the Treasury. In this affair no
one has been wild enough even TO dare
insinuate that the Senators and mem
bers of the lower House who invested
in Pan Electric stock, had any purpose
of legislating the stock into value,
There has been nothing in the Off
cial or personal relation of Attorney
General Garland to this case up 10 this
time, that is not consistent with the
highest integrity and honor. He has
not used his official position or influ-
ence in the slightest degree to promote
the suit against the Bell Company.
On the contrary, when application
was made to him to bring suit he
promptly declined because he happened
to hold shares in the Pan Electric Com
pany In declining to act, he referred
The whole subject to the Solicitor Gen
eral, and that official, who had no stock
in either company, found a state Of
| things that warranted the bringing of
| suit.
The matter then went entirely out
of the hands of Mr.. Garland, and it
is stated by those in position to speak
advisedly that he knows nothing about
the preparation Of the case. or the
plans Of the Government. He and
Mi. Gooae have not exchanged word
upon the subject Of the suits, and Mr.
Garland instructed the chief clerk of
his Department to hand Mr.. Goode all
letters that are received bearing upon
the matter. The President will not
even consult Mr.. Garland IN the se-
lection Of a place where the suit shall
be brought.
All that you hear about Mr. Gar
lands resignation IS nonsense. The
President would not be likely to accept
it if it were rendered. Ho was salts
fed months ago with Mr.. Garlands
explanation Of his connection with the
case, and the Attorney General then
expressed his willingness to resign if
the Administration felt any embar-
assment over the coming discussion.
But Mr. Garland will not be driven
ont of the Cabinet, nor the suits pre-
vented by newspaper abuse.
The great contest between the Pres
ident and the Republican majority in
the Senate threatens to evaporate for
want of earnestness or rather because
the President will not surrender his
constitutional prerogative at the beck
Of few Republican managers. 1t
would be very awkwark, though, for
these Senatorial politicians who are SO
anxious to make some trouble for the
Administration, to abandon their
efforts just at this stage of the pro-
ceeding. The country has been ex-
pecting something dramatic, and they
feel that they must not fall too fatty
flat. ).
PATENTS GRANTED.
Patents granted to citizens of the
Pacific States during the past week,
and reported expressly for THE REVIEW
by G. A. Snow l. Co. Patent lawyers,