The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1889-09-26
WASHINGTON WRIT.
What is Going on at The Seat of Govern
ment.
From our Reoular CbrrespondeAt. !

From our Regular Crrespondeat.]
WASHINGTON. D. G., Sept. 19.-
The Pension office muddle still fur
nishes the Republicans with worry
and the Democrats with amusement.
The trouble seems to have been tn
find representative G A. r. man
for Commissioner who was willing tn
reverse the metho1s Of Tanner in the
conduct of the Office. Elk Represen-
tative Warner, of Missouri, to whom
the position was first offered, was
rather inclined to accept, but after
spending a night with President Har
rison at Deer Park, and finding out
what was expected of him. he declin
ed, and it was given out that he could
not afford to give up his private busi
ness. The real reason was that he
would not agree to conduct the Office
on any other method than that adop-
ted by Tanner. Then the position
was rendered to G. S. Merrill, of
Massachusetts,, and it is understood
that he has accepted it with all the
conditions imposed by President Har
rison. Gen. Merrill is an ex-com-
mander in-chief OF the G. A. R., but
he is very conservative on the pension
question and has always voted with
the minority of that organization in
opposing the proposed service pension.
The present acting Commissioner of
Pensions, acting, it is supposed, under
orders from President Harrison, has
revoked the orders of Tanner allowing
all pensioners receiving less than 81
per month to be examined upon ap-
plication for re-rating, and the one
making the evidence of a single pri-
vate sufficient to prove original disa-
bility. The administration has taken
the back track on the pension ques-
ton. In the meantime Tanner is
waiting to receive the appointment Of
Recorder of Deeds for this District,
which his friends claim was promised
to him if he would resign, while the
citizens here irrespective of party are
up in arms against his getting this
position, which President Harrison
has promised them should not be
given to any one not a citizen of the
District of Columbia. President
Harrison's position is far from bed
of roses.
The white clerks in the navy pay
division of the Fourth Auditors Office
are in bad humor because Secretary
Wiadom has appointed negro chief
# that division. Those who remain
under him deserve no sympathy.
Tanners friends are starting a
movement to drive Secretary Noble
out Of the cabinet. They want ex
Representative Golf, of West Vir-
ginia, to succeed him. But Mr. Clark,
sons friends will probably have some
thing to cay about that.
The Civil Service Commission has
written letter to the postmaster at
Minneapolis scoring him for violat
ing the law in making appointments
in his Office.
Representative Cutchings, Of Mis-
sissippi. thinks that the only legisla-
ton of Importance which will be pass
ed at the coming session of Congress
will be the repeal of the tobacco tax,
and that can only be passed with the
assistance of Democratic votes.
Secretary Tracy is getting on very
dangerous ground. He is considering
the advisability of building the two
5000 ton cruisers provided for by the
last Congress in the Government
navy yards. Mr.. Tracy means we'll,
but if he escapes the political strikers
he will do well. 1t does not require
very long memory to remember
what attempting to build vessels i'll
Government navy yards few years
ago cost the people. Better stick to
the contract system.
Representative Bynum of Indiana
expects very lively session Of Con
gress. He says: I'VE have lot to
worry the Republicans about. and we
will be very apt to make it interesting
for them"
Members and Senators are getting
very plentiful around Washington.
They recognize that the session OF
Congress which begins in December
will be long one, how long no man
is at present in a position to even make
an intelligent guess, and they come
e~rir I" make preparation for It, The
absence Of decided opinion ON both
sides DIS to what will ur will not be
done is very marked.
Judge Gr"ff, of Nebraska, is the
new Commissioner Of the General
Land office. His appointment was 9
great disappointment t. number oi
aspiring gentlemen.
Senator Sherman still fingers here
and there are people who say that
Foraker would prefer his staying
here. He fears the assists snce of the
Senator more than he does his absence
and has not yet asked him to take
any part in the Ohio campaign
Somebody must have been whispering
something in the governors ear.
Northarn "fHv;lisat;on-n