Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-12-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular COrrespondeat.l
WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 1888.

" ~fNHH ~ @RNos
Mr.. Cleveland and all the members
of his Cabinet have gone into tempor-
airy seclusiOn in order to prepare their
annual reports for Congress. These re-
ports will differ from those usually
made inasmueh as they will give a
general resume of the Democratic ad-
ministTation for the affairs Of each of
the Governmental Departments for
four years. Copies of these reports and
of the Presidents coming message
based thereon should be carefully read
by every Democrat in the country.
The President has taken hand in
the dispute between Senator Blackburn
and Judge Rucker. He has no recOllee-
tion of ever having seen Judge Rucker,
and is positive that he never used any
such language as Rucker ascribes to
him. The weight of common sense is
all on Mr.. Cleveland's side in this mat
ter. Does any one suppose for a mo-
ment, even allowing that Mr.. Cleve-
land had doubts about the sincerity of
Governor HIPS and Tammany Halls
support, which he never at any time
had, nor has he now, that he would
have given expression of those doubts
to perfect stranger, as Judge Rucker
was, five days previous to the election.
Not at all. This disposes Of the ques-
ton at issue between Senator Black
burn and Judge Rucker and proves the
latter to have been in the wrong, but it
does not wipe out the hard things they
have said about each other. 1t is said
that a challenge has already been sent.
Everybody here is anxious to know
what the outcome will be. Both men
are expected here shortly.
Mr.. Morton, the -President-elect,
paid Washington an unexpected visit
last week. He came ostensibly to look
after his real estate investments here,
but before leaving he held several con-
ferences with prominent members of
his party.
Hon. Perry Belmont, recently ap-
pointed Minister to Spain, is here to re-
ceive his final instructions from the
State Department before going to his
post. 1t has been intimated that Mr..
Blaine would attempt to prevent the
confirmation of Mr.. Belmont's nomi-
nation by the Senate, in order to be re-
venged upon that gentleman for the
clever manner in which he, as chair
man of the House Committee on For
eign affairs, exposed Mr.. Blaine's ma
nipulation of South American affairs
during the Shepherd investigation
some years ago. Perhaps Mr.. Blaine
would like very much to do so, but the
fact must be remembered that there are
quite number of Republican Senators
who heartily dislike Mr.. Blaine, and
who would much rather do him an in
jury than favor. Mr.. Belmont is
sure to be confirmed, whether Mr..
Blaine tries to prevent it or not.
. Newspaper men here are pleased at
the selection of Mr.. HalfOrd, editor of
the Indianapolis Journal, for President
elect HarrisOn's private secretary. Mr..
HalfOrd will be fortunate if he succeeds
in Making himself as popular as is Col.
Lamont.
One would think the Republicans
ought to be satisfied with the result of
the recent election. But they are not.
Quay and Dudley. in the language of
the street, want the earth and all there
in.' They will attempt, through both
State and Federal courts, to change the
result in Virginia. Ben Butler and ex-
Senator Henderson are said to have ad-
vised this course. Little BILLY Ma
hone is happy over this determination
on the part of Quay and Dudley. 1t
will prevent, for time at least, his re-
turn to the obscurity WI rh he.so rich
ly deserves, and he also I,rpes to make
this case peg upon which to hang his
expectation of future favors from the
Harrison administration.
There is a new arrival at the house of
Col. Lamont, 1t is a girl, and has been
named Francis Folsom in honor of
Mrs. Cleveland.
Mr.. Cleveland has some very good
army berths to dispose of as soon as he
gets chance to decide who shall have
them. There are five appointments in
the staff, all very desirable positions,
also three cadets-at-large to send to
West Point.
1t seems that every Republican Con-
gresham who arrives here has candi-
date for Harrison's Cabinet, and will be
mad if his man is not selected. A little
figuring will show how many mad men
there will be in Congress when the Cab
met is announced.
1t is said here that Senator Sherman
gan, prevented his getting the Repub-
lican nomination for president, and
that he is determined that Alger shall
not go into Harrison's Cabinet if he can
prevent it, and he thinks he can.
Another Republican Senator who is
not pleased with the outlook is Don
Cameron. Gray has served notice on
him that he shall not be allowed to
controle the federal patronage in Penn
sylvania. That is little job that Quay
has reserved for himself Senator Blair
Is also worrying for fear Harrison will
oppose his Educational bill.