San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-12-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular Correspondent


WASHINGTON u. G. Nov. 90, 1880
Secretaries NOBLE and Tracy have
locked horns again for fight, and
many think the result will DO the
retirement OF one or tho other OF
them from the cabinet, perhaps both.
TO the student Of politics contest
between two such mon cannot fail
to be very interesting, representing
NJ they do tho extremes OF tho re-
publican party. Mr. Noble was
selected personally by President
Harrison for his present pos.tlo',
aud has always belonged to tho con-
servative or silk stocking wing of the
republican party; while MIR. Tracy
calne into the cubinet as the personal
representative of the craftiest poll
tician in the country-Ex-Senator L.
G. Plat, OF New York,-and belongs
TO tho working wing of the repubii-
can party. President Harrison S
personal inclinations are all undonbt-
odly with MIR, Noble. but owing to
his susceptibility to the i..Huence OF
the powerful members of his party
il is doubtful which Secretary he
will in the end sustain. The trouble
between the two gentlemen comes
from the Pension Office, winch con-
tinues to be veritable thorn in tho
side OF the administration. Secro-
tary Noble has asked for the reslgnt-
ton of five of the prominent officials
whose pensions were re rated during
Tanners regime. One of them hap
pens to be 0 special friend Of Score
tary Tracy's. and that gentleman
advises him to refuse TO resign and
promises his help to aid him in keep
ing his position, The result is that
not only Mr.. Tracy's friend but the
other four officials whose designations
we're asked, have refused to resign,
and they, together with all tho other
re-rated officials have formed q
combination and propose TO fight
for their places, and as all OF them
have frionds-some of them big
ones-Mr. Noble will find that he
has undertaken large contract. Mr.
Noble in asking for the resignation
of these officials was undoubtedly
endeavoring to do tho admlnlstra,
ton service by trying to stave OIL
Congressional investigation into
the Pension Office and it's methods,
but it is likely to result in bringing
about that very investigation.
Gen. Crook, the Secretary OF War,
and Capt. Pratt, superintendent OF
the Carlisle Indian school, expect to
visit Mt. Vernon barracks, Alabama,
during the latter part CT December
for the purpose of deciding whether
Geronimo aud the other Apache
Indians now confined there shall be
removed.
The local republicans are very
much worked up over the rumoi
that Bruce, the negro ex-senator, is
to be appointed Il ,cor, er of Deeds
for this city. If protesting to the
President will prevent, the appoint
ment will not be made.
1t begins to look as though Presi,
dent Harrison proposed to pigeon
hole the report of the Civil Servic
Commission handed him nearly
week ago. 1t recommends the prose
cution of several office holders fol
violating the law against soliciting
campr en- contributions from office
holders. The Commission 10 anxious
ly awaiting tho Presidents decision
in this matter.
A strong effort will be made thi
winter to have Congress adopt thu
English idea of u postal savings
bank, to be conducted by the Post
Office department.