The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1889-03-29
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, March -, 1889


President Harrison's appointment of Corpo-
al Tanner TO be Commits sioner of Pensions is
4 great victory for the ring of Washington pen
sion sharks, all Of whom are rejoicing At their
prospects for growing rich during four years OF
Tanners favorable decisions. Preparations
are being made 10 Hood the country with cir
cu!ars inviting every eN soldier, including
those who have been refused pensions to
make applications for them.
Within All hour after Tanners nomination
was sent TO the Senate, one agent here ordered
100000 circulars printed, and bought fifty
baskets oi champagne 10 celebrate his brilliant
victory. Conservative people are somewhat
alarmed al the appointment OF Mr.. Tanner,
who has long been known to favor the giving
Of indiscrimiuate pensions TO every soldier who
served three months in the Union Army
Our pension list is now nearly 100000, 900 a
year, anu it will be in Tanners power to
largely increase that amount by decisions I'M
der the present laws. There is some talk of
trying 10 defeat his confirmation by the SEN
ate, but ii would hardly be possible, as every
X publican will vote for him-tliey dare not
do otherwise.
A gentleman who is thoroughly familiar
with Pension office practice aud who also
knows MIR. Tanner we'll, said to-day 1.-The
fiscal year beginning the first of next July
will show a deficiency in the Pension appro-
pration of from SlO.ooO0OJ 10 $50. 900 600
owing To the construction Tanner will put up
on existing laws, and It's dollars TO pennies
that when the estimates are made for the fis-
cal year-ao9l that pensions will be put
down for AT least S2O0.o0O,000. "tireat Scott
And the war was over twenty five years ago.
All the poor newspaper men will have 10 be-
come pension agents and get rich That's
the best thing l can think of.
The Irish element in the Republican party
although small has just shown its power by
preventing Whi,elaw Reid's being appointed
Minister tn England. Reid had set his heart
on going to London, but he got left, although
he was nominated Minister To France AS a
compensation for his RULED feelings.
President Harrison has issued = proclaim A.
lion opening up portion Of Oklallama Terri
tory Ia settlement. There is no good rraso,
why it should not have been been issued two
weeks ago.
Justice Stanley Matthews of the Supreme
Court, whe has been sick since last Summer
was OH Wednesday last reported to be conva-
descent. On FRIDAY he died. And then the
| truth came out. HIS f,Inliy knew Of his dan
gerous condition and had no hope of his recov.
| cry. but decided to keep ii from the public a.
| long as possible. 1t is almost impossible IL
| get the truth about n prominent mau who hap
pens 10 get sick in Washington. Just VIII,
| the public should be fooled is ques;io
| that has never been satisfactorily answered
and it would seem to be about time to stop ly
the late Justice took place this afternoon from
the family residence. II was attended by thu
| President and Cabinet, the Supreme Cour
| and the Senate. After the services the re
mains were placed on = special train an,
started for Glendale. Ohio, accoinpspied b,
| Tie Supreme Court.
i lively fight has beer, going among III,
| Republicans over the position Of Public Print
er. In order to narrow the lines somewha
Mr.. Harrison has announced that the positio,
shall 90 TO the West. II is difficult to saw VIII,
will win in the final rounds which are now on
but the impression is that Mr.. Merridith, O
Chicago. or o'burne, Of California is the com
ing man.
The negro callers al the White House hav
been quite numerous Of late, but so far tn
President has given the colored brother moth
ing at all, and he is getting somewhat discour
aged.
Gen. Badean is ing to prevent the coniir
nation Of Fred. Grant. who has been appoint
ed Minister 10 Austria, but there is little pros
pect OF his succeeding. Fred Grant is not
brilliant man by airy means, but he has no
openly been guilty Of anything disgracefu
while Badeau, by his action in suing the wifi
Of the man who raised him from abject power
~ to aftluence aud kept him up for years, foi
feited the respect of honorable men.
The Senators are growing restless about ad
journment, and il is not likely that they vii
remain longer than about April 9Th, as that
about the time set for several Of the junketin
committees TO get started on their excursions
All the clerks in the First Assistant Post
master-ieneral's office are working tire
hours day extra time owing to the immens
number of applications: for the fourth ella:
post-oificies which are pouring in.
John {. New, the man who helped TO stea
Indiana. has gotten the best paying berth un
der this Government. He has been app1inte
| Consul General al London.