The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-07-22
WaShin gt0n Letter.
WASHINGTON. July I6, 1886.

" ASt1NtfION, y uly 10, 1000.
Nothing has attracted more atten-
ton for some time probably than the
Presidents latest order admOniShing
all Federal Office holders 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 subortiinates
is that political action should he kept
free from official coertion. He does
not ask them to abstain from politics,
hut he draws nice lines of distinction.
They are not to misuse their offices for
partisan ends.
The order created quite n surprise at
the Capitol on Thursday, but our law
makers We're so busily engaged i'll the
pressing duties of legislation that there
was not much discussion of the sub
ject. There are but few Democrats
who do net sustain the Presidents
ideas, ii public expressions be a critic
rion. They say 1t is in accordance
with Mr. Cleveland's $ previous position
and demonstrates his consistency.
Many OF the Republican Senators
even give the President credit tor sin
cerity, but they express faithlessness
in the power of the order to change
the situation. They say it will be sub.
jected to a 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 207 to 81, party lines not
| h.,i, of. ~ n Int,
reads as follows. Whenever the
surplus in Treasury, including amount
| held for redemption of United States
sotes, shall exceed the sum of $780,
600, 900, it shall be the duty of the Sec
retary of the Treasury to apply such
excess, in sums not less than ten mil.
lions month, during the existence OF
such surplus or excess, to the payment
of the interest bearing Indebtedness o.
the United States, payable at the op
tiOn of the Government"
In the debate on the surplus Repre-
sentative Mckinley of Ohio, was dis
posed to mingle some fun. Said he
there is not single thing upon which
this Democratic party agrees and j!
in positive accord except getting of
fees not one." Mr.. Morrison inter
posed, land we are getting along only
middiing at that" +" Yes, you ar,
getting them very slowly" said Mr.
Mckinley, 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 il
the Senate, and with which the Sen
ators have been sitting up late into tn
night hoping to get through with
4 4 a.
ment. And then they are wondering
what will become of it when it goe
back for conference to the Hous
Committee, and again when it come
from conference into the House. Con
gressman Hatch, of Mo-, oleomargar
ines implacable foe, will not vote fO
it when 1t 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 a long speech il
which he had had grave and reveren
Senators buttonhole him and say tina
if they did not get this or that apprO
priation ut in the bill they would b
beaten in Tie next election. 1t was
case of " Help me, Cassius, or sink.
Senators had come into the Cham be
and had their amendments put int
, the bill, and they had then stood u
, within three feet of Mr.. Vest, and lie
, nOunced the whole scheme as piec
of unconstitutional corruption. Com
binations had been made on the yer
, floor of the Senate in relation to thi
| bill. The plan was TO help me put i
my appropriation and | will help yO
put in yours. He had Senators com
TO him and say. " Vest, you were righ
) in your argument about the Kentuck
river, but L was III the gang aud coul
not leave The procession. L had IN
part and L had to let somebody els
= nave his part. And it will be so to til
end of time.
Commissioner Sparks continues hi
, vigorous fight against the land thieve
+ aud never stops his good work to re
f, 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 commission
7, er ever passed ill the same length {
, time, and his have the merit of bein
honest.
, While Republican papers are say
ing that this administration is pre-
eminently the enemy of the soldie
: they will make a note of the fact ths
Commissioner Black has issued owe
one hundred aud ten thousand certit
, Gates to pensioners since he assume
, the duties of his office, which is te
l per cent. more than any of his pred,
cessors ever issued in the same lengt
/ of time. The amount paid for pei
sions during the fiscal year just ende
exceeded that of the previous year b
l So, 900, 900 and President Clevelan
= has signed six pension bills where t
v has vetoed one.