, 1889-03-07

J"-t nov Port Townsend is in a
state bordering almost on fever heat
over the confirmation or rejection of
Mr. Leslie Cuilom as collector Of Gus
toms. Ever since the ARGUS publish
ed report Of his confirmation by the
senate doubt has been expressed by
many of our leading citizens as to the
truth of the statement. During the
last few days the telegraph operator
has been kept busy sending messages
asking for a confirmation of the re-
port and receiving favorable and un-
favorable replies. Mr.. Cullom has
sent a number of messages to the de-
partment asking if it is really so that
he has been confirmed and the re-
plies have invariably been in the af-
firmative. On the other hand some
OF our citizens who have wagered
their money on the affair, believing
that the report is q false one, have re-
cieved number of kilograms stating
that hr. Cullom has not yet been
confirmed. The ARGUS, a bit worked
up over the matter, wired Senator
Mitchell for iEformotion, but up tC
this writing no reply has been re
ceIved. Unless the matter is disposed
OF very soon we fear there will be an
epidemic of brain fever break out
among the knowing ones and oul
physicians viii have their hands full
professional rates will so up and oul
now prospeToIs Is town will have a set
back. Cassius Lupton walks The
street with dropping head while Act
ing Collector Gullom wears a care
worn expression upon his once class
ie countenance. So far as the GUS
tom house IS concerned affairs are a.
a standstill; nearly every one from
the janitor up has backed his judg-
ment of the department of Washing
ton by putting up his past-due war
rant. No longer do we meet gentle
men with smiling faces dodging il
and out of the customs house alley
the faces are there just the same, 81
is the dodge, but the smile has de-
parted like snow before summer
sun. At the hole in the wall "oul
boys" will meet you with a pleasant
chow de-do", placing each individual
index finger upon each individual
nose, they will tell you that they have
the straight tip and back their opin
ions by bets of from fifty dollars to five
hundred. We ale told that a tele-
gram has been received stating tha'
Mr.. Oullom is not yet confirmed. L,
it a wonder then that we are alnost
distracted! One minute we feel thai
we have scoop in a bit of news anG
next We find we have not. We
would like to known something def
mite, We do not know whether it ii
best to bet the undivided monthly
profits of the ARGUS on the result ol
this affair or build a granite block or
Water street. Since the question
has been a mooted one, the treasury
department has been obliged to take
on an additional force. Senators
Dolph and Mitchell have each been
obliged to procure the services of an
other secretary. Such being the
case We see no reason why we, in oul
efforts to keep abreast of the times
should not employ small by tc
answer the questions that are put tc
us on this deeply interesting subject
In the interest of the health of oul
citizens We want the matter settled
Neither Cullom and Lupton are &C,
climated, and with this trying ordeal
sprung upon them, with the hours Of
Suspense they are now undergoing
there can be but one result should
it continue much longer. On the
other hand, should the telegram:
sent by the officers of the treasury
department at Washington be cor
rect, the reaction will be SO great
that the constitutions % those who
bet that he is not yet Confirmed vii
give way and there VIII be too much
sickness to give our town a healthy
aspect. We are among those who
have bet and Just now we feel thank
full that the summer season is ap-
preaching and we do not have to buy
any clothing. If it was winter timt
We are OF the opinion that we would
make our ulster out of q horse blank
ct. Our readers will notice Will
what extreme grace and elegance WI
neglect to tell them just how VIZ
havo wagered our money. We leav,
them to "read the answer IN tn,
stars"
Several letters from visitors t.