News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1888-07-05
FROM WASHINGTON.
From our Regular Correspondents
WASHINGTON, D. c.,
June %, 1888.

WASHINGTON, D. c.,
June %, 1888.
One of the most important acts of
the present Congress is that approved
by the President on the oath ultime,
inviting a conference at Washington
of the Republics of the Three Americas
and the Empire of Brazil next year.
The primary objects expressed in the
act are the establishment Of an
American Customs Union, frequent
communication between American
ports, the adoption of uniform
system of weights and measures, laws
for the protection of patent rights,
copyrights, and trade marks, COM
mon silver coin, and an equitable
method of settling Interstate dis
putes. AS early as January z, 1884,
Mr.. Townshend, of Illinois, a pro-
nounced revenue reformer, introduced
similar proposition in the House of
Representatives, which, however, was
ruled out. Senator Frye and other
pronounced protectionists have given
their support to this proposal of free
trade between the States of the
Western Hemisphere. And it is an
American policy, in fact, that all can
unite upon. The President gave the
act his hearty approval, and the State
Department is considering the meas
ures to carry it out. 1t is to be
hoped that in making selections for
the ten delegates to represent the
United States the President will
choose competent men representing
all shades of the tariff question, so
that their representations agreed by
the conference may have their due
weight with the Fiftieth Congress,
which will have to initiate and meas
ure that may be agreed upon.
The rumors that have been pub
lished in regard to Mr.. Whitney's
probable retirement from the Cabinet
next year have set the political world
to talking. There seems to be no
doubt that there are some good
grounds for such rumors, while at the
same time the second term of Mr..
Cleveland is far enough off to render
speculation hazardous. There are
those who think and believe that
Secretary Whitney has become dissat-
isfied with his post, and if he could
not get a change of Cabinet duties,
would prefer stepping out altogether
rather than remaining at the head of
the Navy Department. His course
of administration has, to a certain
extent, aroused the half-hidden an
tagonism of certain naval officers, and
many things have occurred which have
indicated internal friction. For ex-
ample, it is said the change in the
accounts of the Department did not
suit the officers, who were obliged oc-
casionallv to wait for their money
somewhat longer than before. Then
there has arisen a renewed strife be-
tween the two elements of discord in
the Navy, the line and staff and each
side has petitioned the Secretary
until he has at times openly expressed
sentiments that showed an ill-con-
cealed distaste of this sort Of work.
One cause has often been alluded to,
the trouble between the Secretary and
the Ordnance Bureau, occasioned by
the slowness with which the armament
for the new cruisers is being made.
The gun factory at the Washington
yard was one of Mr.. Whitney's pet
plans, and its only partial success,
it is said, has irritated him beyond
endurance.
/ saw a communication at the
Post Office Department the other day
that interested me. The writer, a
postmaster in a Southern Ohio town,
enclosed his card, piece of paste
board, illuminated with seven differ
ent colors of ink blended in various
insignias, from the confusion of which
were recognizable cross and a crown,
a halo, sword and what looked like
a cross between a two-headed eagle
and a double-hoofed Goldfish. After
his name, came the simple legend
''32 Q )" while in q lower corner ap-
peared, in all the glory of numerals
and initials, six unpronouncable
names of societies. From among the
blots and smurchings of ink, |
deciphered the following, which is
produced in all fidelity, save that of
penmanship:
GENTLEMAN Il held my quartly
Report to git Justis of pease to
Satifuy to the Sum, but could not see
one they live abut 3 mile frum the
oils hope you will excuse me.
Fraturnaly yures, -
The political clerk will have his
innings from this time until Novem-
Der. There are good many of them
in all the Departments. He is usually
of no account as a clerk, but he looms
up big on politics. He is not con-
fined to either party, and there is as
many of him advocating the claims
of the Chicago nominees as are help
ing the st. Louis candidates. He is
easily distinguished by the wise look
and soiled collar which he wears. He
speaks Familiarity of the prominent
men of the country and hints of
information received by him from
doubtful States which he knows will
settle the case in November. He's
frst-clas fraud. LENox.