San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1886-02-18
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 1886.

ED, TREE Thkss'- Inc pTehlucut
and attorney-general have read and
discussed privately and with the
other members of the cabinet the re.
cent publications regarding Mr., Gar
lands connection with the Pan-Elec-
trio Telephone Company. They un'
derstand 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
because the president feels that time
will vindicate the Encouragement,
and because the source and motives
OF the attack upon Mr.. Garland are
understood. The war wagedb by GER
tain newspapers now is well paid for
by the Bell Telephone Company, and
its purpose is to intimidate the ad-
ministration, and thus prevent the
government from carrying out the
programme with regard to suits to
test the validity OF the Bell patent.
But he conspiracy has in no de-
gree discouraged the prosecution of
this suit. 1t will not be delayed any
longer than is necessary for prepare
ton, an array Of prominent counsel
having already been selected to aid
the department Of justice. Solicitor
general 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 de.
termined where the trial will be held.
The Bell Company wants it in Bos-
ton, and others think it should be ar
gued in some western city, where
there has been n previous litigation
or feeling on the subject.
The climax of absurdity was
reached in comparing the Pan.Elec-
trio affair to the "Credit Mobilier".
In the Credit Mobilier business, off
cials were bribed to corruptly act in
their official capacity and give life
and value thereby to corrupt scheme
to fich money from the treasury. In
this atf.ir no one has been wild
enough even to dare insinuate that
the senators and members of the
lower house who invested in Pan
Electric stock, had any purpose of
legisIating the stock into value.
There has been nothing in the Of
fetal OF personal relation of attorney
general Garland to this case, up to
this time, that is not consistent with
the highest integrity and honor. He
has not used his official position or
influence in the slightest degree to
promote the suit against the Bell
Company. On the contrary, when
was made to him to bring
suit. he promptly declined, because
he happened to hold shares in the
Pan Electric Company. In declining
to act, he referred The whole subject
to the soicltor-general, and that Off
cial, who had no stock in either com
pany, found state of things that
warranted the bringing of the suit.
The matter then went entirely out
of the hands of NJ. Garland, and it
is stated by those in position to speak
advisedly, that be knows nothing
about the preparation of the case, or
the plans of the government He
and Mr.. Goode have not exchanged u
word upon the subject of the suits,
md Mr. Garland instructed the chief
clerk of his department to hand MIR.
Goode all letters that are received
bearing upon the matter. The presi-
dent will not even consult Mr.. Gar
land in the selection of a place where
the suit shall be brought.
Ali that you hear about Garland's
resignation is nonsense. Inc preSl- |
lent would not be likely to accept it
f it were rendered. He was satisfied |
months ago with Mr.. Garland's ex-
olanation of his connection with the
case, and the Encouragement then
expressed his willingness to resign if
he administration felt any embar-
'assment over the coming discussion.
But Mr.. Garland will not be driven
)ut of the cabinet, nor the suits pre-
vented, by newspaper abuse.
The great contest between the
president ahd the republican major
ty in the senate threatens to evapo-
ate for want Of earnestness; orrath-
II, because the president will not
his constitutional preroga-
i've at the beck of a few republican
1t would be very awkward
hough, for these senatorial politi-
ians who are SO anxious to make
ONE trouble for the administration,
o abandon their efforts just at this
tage of the proceedings. The coun-
ry has been expecting something
Iramatic. and they feel that they
must not fall too fatty fiat.