San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-06-16
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tFrom our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, June !, 3 1888.


WASHINGTON, June ~ 1888.
Editor LIGHT.
1t is still the same old democratic
party. 1t can no more change its
methods of campaigning than the
leopard can change his spots. Those
who were looking forward toa straight
fight between the two parties on a
sharply defined issue, are greatly dis
appointed by the action of the st.
Louis convention.
The platform is thoroughly charac-
teristic of the democratic party, which
has not for thirty years had a single
principle of it's own, but has always
relied upon stealing those of its oppO-
nents for use in national elections. 1t
is not pleasing to anybody. Demo-
Gratis do not hesitate to denounce it.
Representative Sowden, of Pennsyl-
vania, a good democrat, says of it:
"The platform is weak. 1t is a strad-
die of the worst kind, and a fraud up
on the people. 1t insults the intelli-
gence of the American people. If the
convention approved the Mills bill,
why did it not have the courage to
say so in the platform? 1t was an ex-
hibition of the most despicable coward
ice and subterfuge."
Representative Brown, of Indiana,
voiced the average republican opinion
of the SO called platform when he
said: "a party that could combine in
one platform the platform of 1884,
which is for protection; the presidents
message, 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 man.
kind"
The platform has not one single
word to say for civil service reform,
the issue upon which the mugwumps
claim to have supported Cleveland in
1884.
The nomination of Cleveland and
Thurman by the st. Louis conven-
ton was received here without Great
ing ripple of excitement. And so
far, have failed to discover the faint
est bit of enthusiasm for the ticket.
On Thursday night small crowd of
office holders got an old cannon and
fired few rounds, but there has been
no other effort at public demonstra-
ton.
The democrats will discover in No
vember next that it isn't red bandan-
mas, but voters that elect president
in this country. And they know now
that the Haunting of million of these
symbols in the campaign is no COM
parisOn in effect to the recent largely
increased republican majority in the
state of Oregon. The one may rouse
enthusiastic ointment, but the other
illustrates substantial results.
Gen. Zachary Taylor is to have
$35, 900 equestrian statute in this city.
He was president, you remember,
from 1S45 to 1S49.
The president has approved the act
of congress providing that pensions
heretofore or hereafter granted to
widows of soldiers of the war of the
rebellion shall commence at the date
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 settlementunder
this law of 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 letter
giving name, pOstoffice address, and
number of the certificate now held by
them, and the claim will be allowed
with as little delay as possible.
Grave fears are entertained among
the republican leaders here that the
Chicago convention will result in
deadlock between three or four of the
most prominent candidates. From all
the information in sight it is pretty
well assumed that on the first few
ballots Mr.. Sherman will have the
lead followed by Gresham, Allison,
Depew, Harrison, Alger and possibly
one or two others. The interesting
question is, where will the votes Of
the lowest candidates 60 in the break
up? G.. A. S.
What Puzzled Ed. Braden.
I'd on &c a io1 III cd