The Portland daily press., 1888-04-04
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
The Methodists, President Cleveland
and the indians.
Intrigues Among the Democrats
Alarm Mr.. cIeveIand's Friends.

Intrigues Among the Democrats
Alarm Mr.. CIeveIand's Friends.
Stories They Tell of Senators Who 60
a Fishing.
WASHINGTON, April 3.-The annual con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal church
in Philadelphia, March goth, adopted resolu-
tions protesting against the action of the gov
ernment in excluding the use of their lam
guage in the education of the Indians, espec-
tally the exclusion of the Dakota Bible
among the tribes where 1t was formerly
used. The President has written letter in
response, saying that the action OF the con-
ference has greatly surprised and disappoint-
ed him. He quotes the rules OF the Indian
bureau upon the subject and shows from
them that "the rules referred to have been
modified and changed in phraseology to
meet the views of good men who seek to aid
the government in its benevolent intention.
1t was supposed that their meaning was
quite plain and their purpose satisfactory.
There need be no fear that, in their execu-
tion, they will at all interfere with the plans
of those who sensibly desire the improve
ment and welfare of the Indians. At any
rate, until it is demonstrated that these
rules operate as impediments to Indian ad-
vancement, they will be adhered to-, while
the government will continue to invoke the
assistance of all Christian people
and furthering this very important
and interesting part Of the labor
"The government seeks in its management
of the Indians to civilize them and prepare
them for contact with the world which neces-
sarily accompanies civilization. Manifestly,
this point of view than knowledge of the
English language, and all efforts of those
having the matter in charge tend to an ult1-
mate mixture of the Indians with our other
people, thus making one community. equal
in all those things which pertain to American
citizenship. But this ought not to be done
while the Indians are entirely ignorant OF the
English language 1t seems to me 1t would
be cruel mockery to send them into the
world without this shield from imposition,
and without this weapon to force their way
to self support and independence. Nothing
can be more consist then than to insist upon
teaching English in Indian schools"
The Supreme Court.
When President Cleveland appoints new
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, that
tribunal will stand as to its political .antece-
dents Republicans six. Democrats three.
OF 1.-THE Republicans, two justices, Messrs.
Miller and Bradley, and of the Democrats
one, Justice Field, are ALREADY more than 20
years of age, so that in spite of the robust
health of the first and the last, and the wiry
constitution Of Justice Bradley, it is very
likely in the course of nature the next Presi-
dent will have to appoint their successors.
If they should all be Republicans, the fun
damental principles that have governed that
high tribunal for the last quarter Of a CEN
tury would be likely to prevail as much
longer, but if they should all be Democrats,
the court would be controlled by men who
opposed every important step Of that peace
able revolution which was the natural fruit
age Of the war and of universal freedom. 1t
may be true that all parties now accept these
questions as settled, but it IS grave ques-
ti0n for the people Of the United States to
solve, and one which they will have to de-
eide in the next national election, whether
the time has yet come when they care to en-
trust the Interpretation of the recent amend
ments to the Constitution of the United
States aud the enforcement of the laws
made under them to men OF Democratic an
tecedents.
Mr.. CIeveIand's Supporters Alarmed.
The intrigues to defeat the denomination of
the President are beginning to attract the at
tention of his friends here. They feel that
the logic of the situation so irresistably de-
mands the denomination of Mr.. Cleveland
that nothing but blind folly can prevent it,
They realize that the disappointed office
seekers are banded together in many states
to defeat it and that they have the covert
support of many Senators and Representa-
dotiO hou oil
ways been regarded in making appointments.
In New York the supporters of Governor
are intriguing to get control of the State
committee and elect majority of the State
delegation. They argue that they can go
to st. Louis with majority of the New
York delegation against the President it will
be easy work to convince the delegates from
the South and West that Cleveland cannot
carry his own State, and that Hill can. In
New Jersey powerful combinations are
forming against the President, and in Penn
sylvania RandalPs supporters are supposed
to be putting in their work in the same way.
The news which comes from Massachusetts
is not entirely reassuring, and the friends Of
the President say that nearly half the men
most frequently mentioned as delegates are
either his open or secret enemies. One OF
the embarrassing features of the situation is
the refusal of these men to plainly declare
their purposes. Some of them are more anx-
ious to be made delegates than they are to
antagonize the President. These men are
not dangerous if influenced by men of abili-
ty and conviction, but convention made up
in large part of these men and with an active
minority of bitter opponents of the Presi-
dent might soon be transformed into de-
cided anti Cleveland gathering. Huddled
together in st. Louis and gathering courage
from each others support, they might be led
into the supreme folly of defeating Cleveland
and putting in nomination some man who
descended to the level of their own ideas.
The friends of the President are watching
the situation with interest and are surprised
that In some districts his strong supporters
do not make their influence more actively
felt.
Washington Tales of Senatorial An
gIers.
The fishing season is near at hand. Con-
gressmen with piscatorial instincts are get
ting their tackle ready for the sport. Among
the fishermen in the Senate, Mcpherson OF