Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-03-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.
lFrom our regular eorrespOndsat.l
WASHINGTON, Feb. q, 1888.


Democratic nominating convention be-
ing fixed on June 5th, makes ii two
weeks before the Republican conven-
ton meets. This date was not agreed
upon without struggle, for there Is an
element in the party, which, though
small and rapidly diminishing, still be-
lieves in waiting for the Republicans
to make the issue. The majority Of
the party however, think that the issue
has already been fully set forth by the
President's message to Congress, and
that no other platform Is needed to
make the fight on.
This Is the aggressive element, those
who carry the elections, and thepresent
aggressive condition of the party will
rouse their enthusiasm to an unusual
pitch, will make them think Of the
many national victories won by the
party in ante-bellum days. The Sc
lection Of the great metropolis of the
Southwest, st. Louis, as the place of
meeting was the very best that could
have been made.
The further the Government print
ing office investigation goes the better
it shows for tue Democratic manage
ment of Mr.. Benedict. He has saved
the Government already over 5000, 900
and at the same time done more work
than has ever been done in the same
length of time in the history of the
office.
Quite q number of Republican papers
have been foolish enough to charge
Pension Commissioner Black with hav-
ing shown favoritism In allowing the
amounts ofpensions to soldiers living
in Democratic States. A table has
been issued by the Pension Office,
showing the average pension paid each
soldier in each State and Territory. 1t
shows that the largest average amounts
are paid TO soldiers who are residents
of the States and Territories whic h
have always given Republican majori-
ties. Bring in another Republican
canard.
The worst squelched man in the
House is Mr.. Boutelle, of Maine, the
gentleman who recently got rampant
over the proposition to return the cap
tured Confederate battle flags to their
original owners, and who wanted the
Secretary of War to furnish the House
with detailed statement of every
thing he knew about these flags. That
statement has reached the House. That
is what squelched Boutelle. 1t con-
tanned more information than he
wanted. 1t showed that the Demo.
cratic Administration had taken better
care of the flags than the Republicans
ever did, and further that not Con-
federate flag, with one exception, and
that was loaned to be returned, had
ever left the possession of the War De.
partment under this administration.
The negotiation of the Fisheries
treaty would alone ofitself be suffici-
ent reason for the people to keep the
Government in the hands of the Demo
cratic party. The subject covered by
the treaty has been a constant source
of worry to this country for more than
a hundred years, and many attempts
have been made at settlement, but none
so favorable to this country as the pres
ent treaty.
Mr.. Mills, Chairman of the House
Committee on Ways and Means, says
that revenue reform is making rapid
headway in New England. He was
informed in Providence, r. l., by q
life long Republican, that although
never having cast Democratic vote,
this year he proposes to support Cieve.
land and revenue reform. and that he be.
lieved there were enough men just like
him to carry that State.
Mr.. Springer's bill for the organiza.
tion of the Territory of Oklahoma was
considered by the House on Saturday
but no vote was reached.
There is rumor in society that Sec
retary Bayard and Mrs. Folsom, the
Presidents mother-in-law are shortly
to be married and that Mrs. Folsom,
who is now in Paris, has gone there for
the express purpose of getting her
trouseau.
The Secretary has been interviewed
on the Fisheries treaty. He expresses
himself as entirely satisfied and says
that We got everything that was con.
tended for.
Washington is in mourning for its
foremost private citizen w. w. Cor.
coran, the millionaire phiIanthropist
He was buried this afternoon.
1t is said that Postmaster General
Dickinson is already seriously i'll from
overwork. The Office seekers and their
friends are to blame for it. All those
who had failed to get what they want
ed from Mr.. Villas, pounced upon the
new official, to say nothing of the large
number from his own State who ex-
pected something.
The Presidential party returned
home yesterday morning much pleased
with what they saw and with the cor
dial reception with which they met on
their hurried southern trip.