New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-06-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D. O.. June

WASHINGTON LETTER.
i Washington, d. O.. June Is, 1888.
1t is still the same old democratic
party. 1t can no more change its
methods of campaigning than the leo.
pard can change his spots. Those who
were looking forward to straight
fight between the two parties on q
sharply defined issue are greatly disap-
pointed by the action of the st. Louis
Convention in adopting a platform
that means anything the voters may
want it to mean; protection in one
place and free-trade in another.
| The platform is thoroughly charac-
| teristic of the democratic party, which
has not for thirty years had a single
principle of its own, but has always re-
lied upon stealing those of its opo-
nents,. for use in National elections.
1t is not pleasing to anybody. Demo
ocrats do not hesitate to denounce it.
Representative SoWden, of Pennsylva-
| MIA, a good democrats says of it, .'The
platform is weak. It's straddle Of
the worst kind, and fraud upon the
| people. 1t insults the intelligence Of
American people. If the Convention
approved the Mills bill, why did it not
have the courage to say SO in the plat
form9 1t was an exhibition of the
most despicable cowardice and subter-
fuge.''
Representative Browne of Indiana
voiced the average republican opinion
of the so called platform when he said:
ga party thai could combine in one
platform the platform of 1884, which
is for protection; the presidents mes
sage, which is for free-trade; and the
Mills bill, which is nothing, ought to
secure the admiration, if it did not
challenge the support of all mankind. ]"
The platform has not one single word
to say for civil service reform, the issue
upon which the mugwumps claim to
have supported Cleveland n 1884.
The nomination of Cleveland and
Thurman by the St. Louis Convention
was received here without creating a
ripple of excitement. And SO far, l
have failed tie discover the faintest bit
enthusiasm for the ticket. On Thurs
day night small crowd of Office hold
ers got an old cannon and fired few
rounds, but there has been no other ef-
fort at a public demonstration.
Judge Thurman is expected here
this week and a great effort is being
made to get up semblance Of enthusi-
asm to receive him. He is coming to
invite the President and Mrs. Cleve-
land to attend the Ohio Centennial, to
be held at Columbus next September.
The democrats will discover in No
yember next that it is Mt red bandanas,
but voters that elect President in this
country, and they know now that the
Haunting of a million of these symbols
in the campaign is no comparison in
effect to the recent largely increased
republican majority in the state Of Ore
gon. The one may rouse enthusiastic
sentiment, but the other illustrates SUBJ
stantial sesults.
But little business of Importance was
transacted by Congress last week, ow-
ing to the large number of absentees
who were attending the St. Louis Con-
vention.
Gen. Zachary Taylor is to have a $50,
600 equestrian statue in this city He
was President, you remember, from
1S45 to 1S49.
The President has approved the act
OF Congress providing that pension
heretofore or hereafter granted to wi
dows of soldiers of the war of the rebel
lion shall commence at the date of their
husbands death. This law applies to
all widows claims which have been
filed since July 1st., 1880, but not to
those filed previous to that time.
Notice has been given by the Pen
sion office that in the settlement under
this lawlof claims already allowed, no
formal application will be required,
and the services of attorneys will not
be necessary. Widows entitled to
back pension need only write a letter
giving name, postoffice address, and
the number of the certificate now held
by them, and the claim will be allowed
with as little delay as possible.
[oFFIcIAL.
City COatacit Proceedings.