National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-20
breakfast Table Letter to tho President.

breakfast Table Letter to tho President.
Mr.. PRESIDENT This country is thirsty for
craftsmanship. Moore said "The minds Of
some Of our statesmen, like the pupil of the
human eye, contract themselves the more the
stronger lightthere is shed upon them"
We are abundanlly supplied in men who
are In manner only statesmanlike. They
hold places that statesmen should fill! The
Withholding information from the legislative
department is not the act Of statesman, but
OF Caesar. If tho controversy is long con
tinued 1t win become the contest between the
people and Caesar, and history will so write IL.
The issue between yourself and the Republic
cans Of the Senate is not only made, but do
cided. As Chief Executive Of the executive
departments Of government, you have refused
10 permit your subordlnates to furnish the in
formation or papers sought. Any further dis
cussion will not change the opinions OF either.
You have appealed to the people, the people
must try the issue. In the interim the duty of
senators will DO to pass on your nominations,
confirming them when the information Is suf.
iclent to justify 1t, and whenever unable to
satisfy themselves Of the propriety Of n nomi-
nation they will, of course, fail to act on 1t.
In this condition this question will go TO the
people in the congressional elections OF this
fall. II a majority OF the popular branch be
elected who support your administration tho
victory will DO yours the reverse would sorl-
ously impair your prospects for reelection to
the Presidency in 'ss.
Secretary Manning, your political and splr-
itual adviser, most sagaclous politician, with
some evidences OF statesmanship, understands
the situation full well.
As n political move the appointment OF
Matthews, colored man and ward poll
tician from Albany, was perhaps proper, not
withstanding the District clamor, and would
have been wise had he not displaced by craft
and cunning OF men in authority the greatest
man OF his race. As IL Is, Matthews can be
made useful in manipulating the colorcd vote
in the close congressional districts.
There is another question that will be pre-
sented to the people this fall, namely, Has q
citizen, residing in state that deprives him OIL
franchise, of privileges OF education and
fair pay for a fair days work, the right to emf
crate to a state where he can obtain these ben
6tsH lift is not unconstitutional, under Demo
cratic construction TO do so, then 1t wonld be
legal to form land and emigration societies Ia
help them.
Did It ever occur to YOU Mr.. President, that
such move might break the "solid south
before 1887
II the House OF Representatives refused ia
pass the Senate educational bill, 1t might re-
suit in the movement indicated.
Mr.. President, you aro not always wrong
eousness of the Bell telephone patent, you did
, right. 1t only remains for you to say to the
government counsel what Grant said to Sheri.
! dam Push things" BY the way, Speaker
Carlisles Pan. Electric committee doesn't seem
to pan out. The Democratic conspiratorS
formed that committee TO smirch your admin.
istration, From tho present outlook there is
not so much Pan-Electric as the surface digging
promised. Yet they may strike oil, as in Ohio.
A great many people are wondering why
should advise you to recommend In your first
message government aid TO the Eads ship
railway corporation. Some say 1t was the
work of the Democratic Campaign Committee
and 1t is simply another of those heavy load
which you have been compelled to shoulder
on account of pledges made to carry the cleo
ton. This is another question that will q
into the congressional campaign this fall
The farmers OF the Pacific coast will ask, wha
kind Of Craftsmanship is this, that gives mo
nopoly to ship-railway corporation, thu
power to tax wheat IS a ton, orc cents
bushel, when men versed in the arts of gov
eminent and commerce could construct plai
OF governmental rail highway across thu
Isthmus OF Tehuantepec that would transpor
1t at 81 a ton, or 8 cents O bushel, from ship /,
ship.
What is needed is the advice ola railroat
engineer, not the theory ola hydraulic engi
neer, which latter win cost In execution fou
times as much, and when its stock and bond
are watered ten times as much as the Unitet
States and Mexico could constructa rail high
way. If, however, eargoes can be transferre'
in bulk cheaper and quicker than by breakin
bulk, the company can afford to charg
less toll than overa rail highway.
In celebrating your forty.ninth birthday, o.
Thursday last, did 1t occur to you that in you
exalted position you would add honor and lus
ter to itby inviting one of your fair countrywo
men to share in its distinction? Married or singl
you will receive the congratulations, advice
and best wishes in your arduous duties @
statesmanship OF
THE NATIONAL REPuBLLcAN.