Omaha daily bee., 1888-12-04
THE FAMOUS BENET CIRCULAR
Is the Secretary OF War the Real
Author2
COMMENTS ON THE MESSAGE.
Cleveland Accused OF AnarchistiC
Scnttmrnts-Partics Who Aspire to
Manderson's Position - Dele
rate Chords Amendment.
W~AsnINGToS BUREAU The OMAHA BEE,
5l3 FOURTEENTH STREET,

Around congress to-day there were many
conjccturcs as 10 what answer will be made
by the secretary Of war TO Senator Hale's
resolution, adopted last October, calling for
an explanation Of the issuance of the noto-
rious Benct circular letter, directing the
removalo Of women and children in the arse
nails ana armOries, to make room for demo-
Gratis. General Bcnet told the correspondent
of the indianapolis journal six weeks ago
that the circular was issued upon the direc-
ton, or at the suggestion, of Secretary Endi-
colt, but he stated subsequently,, IN order to
extricate the secretary from the hole into
which he had placed him, that he 0Benct)
was alone responsible for the order, and that
he conceived IT himself. The latter ex-
PLANTATION was made, of course, for the pur-
pose of relieving the administration of the
odium which the responsibility would cast
upon it. Now that there will be no neces-
sity of shielding the administration
Bcnet, it is said, feels like indicating hlm-
self, in order that he may not be in bad
repute with the new administration. Some
curiosity is expressed as to whether Endi-
colt or Benet will assume the responsibility.
on THE MESSAGE.
No better commentary on prcsidsnt Clevc-
lands message could be desired than that
given by the members of the house during
the reading of the document this afternoon,
when the democrats applEuded certain fca-
lures and the republicans Kissed other por-
tons. When the reference to the surplus in
the treasury as not being intended to force
free trade was read the democrats immedi-
ately began n vigorous applause and the re-
publcanS gave vent to u stage laugh that
drowned the hand c~lapping. The contrast
between the demonstratiOnso II the two sides
was so great that lnvoluntarily almost every
eye turned toward Mrs. Cleveland and her
mother, who sat on the front seat III the dip
lomatic gallery. They looked serious. With
very few eXccptions-and those are among
the protectionist neutrality-suspicious. as to
the merits of the message are confined with
in party lines. Tbs democrats gen
orally are glad that the president
has again proclaimed in favor of free
trade, and, as Chairman Mills puts it
this evening, ARE proud to see the president
still flying the flag of REFORM Mr.. Mills
does not believe the free trade uttcranccs of
the president in his message Il year ago had
anything to do with the change of public
opinion as to the aims of the democratic
party, or that they contributed to MIR. Cleve-
lands defeat. He heartily endorses all the
president has ever said about tariff reform
and free trade. The two Disadvantages, who
are democratic members of the house com.
mittec on ways and means, heartily APP
plauded the sentiment of the message as it
was read, and dcclrred that it is the best
document ever sent to congress. They, too,
are g%ratified TO see that MIR. Cleveland's
stand on the tariff has not been shaken by
the recent election. They join Mr.. Mills in
declaring that the representatives of the
democratic party in congress do not intend to
alter or amend the tariff platform, hut say it
will stand as a land mark for future com
paigus. They are in favor of simply reaf-
tirming the platform in the next
tor Ransom, Of North Carolina,
expressed the views of the democrats in the
upper branch of congress when he said: "ltis
the abIest of them all, and shows that our
leader Is standing by his guns" The repub-
leans in both houses use some very vigorous
language in denouncing the message. Sen
ator Allison this evening said ait is I'M
PATRIOTIC The senator has special refer
ence to the second paragraph in the message,
which casts serious doubt upon the wisdom
of the foundation of our republic, because it
is founded upon the freedom of the people,
He thinks the president has struck a very
cruel blow at the American form of govern
ment, simply because its citizens did not re-
tain him in power,
Senator Sherman said at contains moth
Ing new, except certain forms of complaint
Senator Cullom said: "Mr. Cleveland
seems determined to go out with a buster.
He is disappointed, scolds severely and APP
pears to doubt not only the wisdom of the
present people, but the trainers of our con-
stitution.'
Representative Mckinley, of Ohio, said:
at is u post mortem examination of the
democratic platform"
III hAo' " Shl'. SllNis
'Thc message is a motion for a new trial,
but the court has no jurisdiction and the YER
diet Will have to stand"
These views give a good idea of those ex-
pressed by all men in congress, who have so
far given uttcrance to their opinions of the
message. In some quarters there is great
Indignation over the cOmmunistic and an
archistic sentiments of the president, and
several members of congress go so far as to
say that Johan Most and his followers can find
texts in the presidents message to fire the
hearts of their converts for years to come.
The soldiers are also indignant. They re-
gard the language of the president, where he
refers TO pensions, as 'gratultles granted
upon no other real ground than the needy
condition of the applicant, or for reasons less
valid" as nm unnecessary insult To the vet
Grams, nut they add that it is only in the line
that he has followed ever since he went to
the white house, and that in the future it
will cause the soldiers to stand more sUlidly
together than they have ever stood.
THE ~MANpERsON SUCCESSION.
All of the Nebraska delegation, with the
exception of Congressman McShanc and
Laird, were in their seats at the opening of
the session to-day, Senator Henderson and
Representative Dorsey having arrived here
several days ago, and Senator Paddock reach
ing the city on Saturday by way of New
York. There We're many inquiries on the
floor of the senate respecting the probable
tiles of the Henderson succession. The IN.
complete reports, rs To the composition OF
western legislatures, have made IL very diff
cult TO eastern men to learn the exact situa-
tion. Senator Henderson was heartily con
graduated over the overwhelming republican
majority, which seems 10 assure his re-clec-
ton. The senator himself expressed quiet
confidence in the outcome TO several of his
friends. He is said TO have intimated that il
would not be necessary for him to return TO
Nebraska during the legislative session. This
is probably the best evidence of the complete
satisfaction which Senator Henderson feels
over the situation.
a prominent Nebraskapolitician expressed
the opinion this evening that there would be
ut least five senatorial candidates in the
field in the coming contest in that state, and
that among them would be Representative
Dorsey. He named as the contestants, ex-
congressman Valentine, Judge Crounz,
Governor Saunders, Governor Thayer and
Judge Reese, Of the supreme court, and
added that the friends of Judge Croft. of
Omaha, were urging strongly upon that
gentleman 10 allow the use of his name. He
added, that in his opinion, the senatorial
contest next January will not be entirely
devoid OF interest, and while General Man
derson's success AT present seemed assured,
he might find II TO his interest 10 take a trip
TO Lincoln before the elimination of the
struggle.
G%IFFoRD's AMENDMENT.
Delegate Clifford, Of Dakota, has prepared
an amendment to the law, providing for the