San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-10-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 1888.

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Senator Allison has settled a dis
puted point, which was caused by an
error in the senate tariff bill, that
made it appear that coal was to be on
the free list. Mr.. Allison says that it
is the intention of the republican
members of the senate committee on
finance, to put all coal upon the dutl-
able list, as now provided; the tariff
upon coal to be made IS cents ton,
and upon coal slack 80 cents ton.
Chairman Barnum, of the demo-
cratic national committee, spent Fri
day and Saturday in this city, en-
gagged in what, to me, appears no Wnlt
better than highway robbery. Inc
day before his arrival he mailed circu-
lar letters to all government employees
here, telling them that he wished
them to call upon him at his hotel on
Friday and Saturday, for the purpose
of making campaign contributions.
Those who called upon him were
plainly informed that he wanted 5per
cent of their annual salary for the
democratic national committee; they
were further informed that those who
did not come up with money asked
for, need not expect to retain their po-
sitions under democratic administra-
ton. To leave no doubt in the minds
of the clerks as to the authority
which Mr.. Barnum has to carry out
his threats in case of their refusal to
contribute, they have been informed
by their superior officers that they
must contribute or 60. The demo-
cratic party must be desperate in
deed, when itresorts to such means as
this for the sake of raising a few thou
sand dollars.
The show of the city just at present
is sixty Sioux Indian chiefs, who are
engaged in a grand powwow with the
officials of the interior department
concerning the proposed treaty by
which they are to sell the government
IL 900, 900 acres of their present re-
servation.
Mr.. Cleveland has pardoned J. H.
G. Wilcox, formerly second lieutenant
Seventh cavalry, who was undergoing
a sentence in the penitentiary for du-
plicatlng his pay accounts. Election
day is drawing near, and democratic
voters are getting scarce.
The investigation ordered by the
senate into the purchases of seeds by
the Agricultural Department, will not
be commenced until December, owing
to the impossibility of getting a quo
rum of the Senate Agricultural COM
mittee together before that time.
Mr.. Thurman was so feeble during
his visit here last week, that he could
not stand the fatigue of public re-
cepUion which was rendered HIM by
the local democrats. He promised to
attend, but suddenly left the city and
sent his apologies. His son, who ac-
companies him every where, was
afraid the old gentleman would break
down.
1t is a difficult matter for those
having business before the depart
ments here to find a secretary in his
office these days. They spend about
four-fifths of their time making stump
speeches for free trade, and the other
one-ffth in preparing the speeches.
There is rumor that no successor
to Bishop" Oberly will be appointed
on the civil service commission, Mr..
Cleveland having decided that the
commission was useless body, owing
to the practical suspension of the civil
service law by the officials of the pres
ent administration, from the presi-
dent down.