Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-02-20
Washington Letter.


ing the week of impending Cabinet
changes. These rumors are periodic
and usually unfounded. The Treas
ury and Department Of Justice are
the offices particularly referred to,
and the case of the latter, gossip goes
so far as to designate the Attorney
Generals successor.
There has been more quiet pressure
brought to bear upon the administra
ton to effect Mr.. Garland's removal
than the public is aware of. But the
President keeps his own counsel, and
he is quoted as having intimated to
an oficious friend, after patiently lis
tening to his suggestion on this sub
ject, that when he desired advice
touching his own business, he would
ask for it. Besides, Mr.. Garland is a
proud man, and would not be willing
to remain in his present position a
day were he not assured of the Presi-
dents fullest confidence.
AS for the Secretary of the Treas
ury, should he conclude to retire it
could scarcely be from dissatisfaction
with his position or with the Presi-
dent, or for any dissatisfaction on the
part of the President with him, for
they have worked in perfect accord
together for longer period than this
Presidential term. Mr.. Manning has
often said, however, that he only en-
tered the Cabinet to assist the Presi-
dent in inaugurating certain reforms.
This being done, he had no further
object in remaining. He could not
desire to make money while holding
so important a place as that of the
Secretary of the Treasury, and he has
often spoken Of a settled purpose to
retire from public life.
During the present week Educa-
ton will be the subject of debate in
the Senate, and the Fitz John Porter
case will BE again dragged through
the House. Representative Swim
burne, of New York, in a speech on
the Porter bill, bore testimony, from
personal observation, to the jealousies
which.existed amongthe officers of the
army, and said jealousy seemed to
him to be one of the fine arts taught
at West Point. The findings of the
Court-martial in the case of General
Porter, were, he thought, largely the
result of malice. He was followed by
Mr.. Houk, of Tennessee, who said
Porter was guilty of treachery and
ought to have been shot.
The discussions which the Blair
educational bill elected in the Senate
during the last Congress are likely to
be repeated in this. The subject was
extensively considered then, and
little that is new can be said upon ii
now.
Senator Morgan, of Alabama, is
still in the forefront of the opposition
with clearer field before him now
that Mr.. Garland is not there to con-
flute him. He still argues that the
bill cannot find a foothold in the con-
stitution, and that it is an unwarrant-
able invasion of the States rights.
He does not believe that the whole
country should be taxed for the bene-
fit of localities, and he protests that
the Government has no more right to
make appropriations for the public
schools than for its churches. and dis
pensaries.
There were two brilliant events at
the White House during the past
week. The Presidents third state
dinner was held in honor of the Su.
preme Court, and the first card recep.
ton of the winter was given TO the
Diplomatic Corps. To this both
Houses Of Congress was invited, be.
sides the officers of the army and
navy, the judiciary, and various Other
officials in Washington.