Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1889-01-04
washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 2Sth.

capitol every day this week, except
Christmas day, engaged in per-
fectlng tho amendments which
the committee on finance has de-
cided to add to the Senate tariff
bill before its final passage, Jan
2Ist.
Senator Stanford spent his
Christmas in New York, but Ee-
fore leaving Washington he made
the pages of the Senate happy Ey
presenting each of them FIVE
dollar bill. This has been regu
lar Christmas custom of Mr.. Stan
ford since he became senator.
Chairman A. 7. Britton, of the
inaugural Committee, has, 10y re-
quest OF Gel. Harrison, engac ed
suite OF rooms at one of our most
prominent hotels for the accom-
mediation of the Presidential party,
which is expected to consist of
Gen. Harrison and wife; Russell
Harrison and wife; J. r. Mckee,
wife and children; ex-senator
Saunders and wife; E. w. Halford
wife and daughter. The date of
their arrival here has not yet been
definitely determined, but they
are expected about week before
Inauguration day. 1t is expected
that MIR. Cleveland, in accordance
he precedent established by
Andrew Jackson, and faithfully
observed by all Of his predeces-
sors except two, will call at Gen.
Harrison's hotel for the purpose
of escorting him to the Capitol to
be sworn in.
The talk for and against Mr..
Blaine as the next Secretary of
State is rapidly assuming a vicious
tone that does not promise well
for harmony In the republican
party for the next four years. The
sooner Gen. Harrison puts stop
to the whole business by announc-
ing the Cabinet, the better it will
be. This state of affairs is deeply
regretted by conservative republi-
cans, who are neither for nor
against Mr.. Blaine. I had q lonp
and interesting conversation with
a prominent Republican Senator
on this subject last night. After
exacting a promise that l would
not use his name, this gentleman
said: "The Blaine and anti-Blaine
talk that many republicans are
now indulging in is bound to be
injurious to the republican party,
and for that reason alone 1 am ex-
tremely sorry to see it. You know
that l have never been what is
known as a Blaine man, that is, / |
have never been one of those who
refused to see any faults in the
statesman from Maine. But at the
same time [ have recognized Mr..
Blaine's great ability, as well as
his eminent services to the repub-
lican party. Personally, l should
prefer to see Senator Sherman
Secretary of State, but looking at
the matter striclv from a party
stand point, l think Gen. Harrison
will made G. great mistake il he
does not invite Mr.. Blaine to ac-
cept the position. My reason for
this opinion is, first, Mr.. Blaine's
high qualifications for the position,
second, and principally, Mr..
Blaine's large personal following
in the party. No other man in this
country has so large or so infuen-
tial following as Mr.. Blaine has
in the Republican party, and to
refuse recognition to such a great
number of influential republicans
would, in my opinion, be very in
udicious to say the least of it, and
cannot believe that man of {
Gen. Harrison's experience and
knowledge of politics will make
such mistake. Mr.. Cleveland
warning in that re-
'pect. He attempted, and in fact
lid make up his cabinet without
consulting the wishes of his party, {
md the result was that when he a
leeded the help of his party many J
# them deserted him and he was I
lefeated. Other precedents might b
'e mentioned showing the disas- F
er which always overtakes the
resident who attempts to go
gainst the wishes of a majority
f his party, but l cannot think
hat they are needed. l know Gen.
harrison well, and know him to be
close student of of political his y
Dry, and not likely to make any e. e.
laring mistakes in selecting his j
abinet. My only reason for not III II
lshlng my name used in connec- c.
on with these views is that | have d'
lily made up my mind not to in
ude my opinion upon Gen. Har-
son while he is engaged in max
g up his cabiLet, unless he shall
lmself ask for it.
The congressional recess and
hristmas have not stopped the III III
tive canvass for the speakership es