The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-03-28
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Mar. %, 1889

President Harrison doubtless feels that hav-
ing been elected solely because he was grand
son he is obliged to recognize the claims of the
sons of eminent fathers. Ii was for that reason
probably that he gave Walker Blaine his present
prominent position and has now nominated
Fred Grant to be United States Minister to Aus
tria. But no matter what influences caused him
to make these appointments it is truly to be
hoped that he will make no more of the same
sort. Neither of these young men have ever
succeeded in making a living for themselves, and
while there would be no objection to give them
81 200 positions. there is very decided objec-
ton to seeing them given positions out of all
proportions to any ability ever displayed by
them.
Mr.. John C. New, Dudley's partner in the
Indiana steal, has gotten his reward. He hc S
been appointed Consul General of the United
States at London, position which is said to pay
better than any other under this government
And Whitelaw Reid, the editor of the New
York Tribune has obtained the wish of his heart.
He has been nominated Minister to France. His
appointment has stirred up considerable feeling
among certain class of Republicans who have
never forgiven him or the Tribune forsupportlng
Greeley in 1879. 1t is also remembered that IN
1876 Reid in his fight on Blaine printed the Null
fgan letters and everything else discreditable to
Blaine that he could get hold Of However, il
Blaine can forgive him, all others may hold their
peace.
Wanamaker poses as head of the Postoffice
Department, but Clarkson is expected to do the
work. The Office of the Postmaster General is
nothing more than the private office of John
Wanamaker's Philadelphia store The two are
connected by private telegraph wire SO that
cheap John" may be kept informed as to the
state of business at the " five cent counter, and
other bargain departments of his establishment
A gentleman who has known Wanamaker init
mately for many years says of his appointment
to the Cabinet: John Wanamaker knows the
value of newspaper advertising better than any
man living. with probably the single exception
of P. 7, Barnum, and the whole business from
ent, is, l am satisfied regarded by him a
strictly business transaction whereby he pays out
SO much money and obtains in return an unlim-
tied amount of valuable advertising in every
newspaper in the United States. He don't care
a snap about being Postmaster-General except
for the newspaper advertising it gives him. When
his name begins to drop out of the papers dur
ing the coming dull season, expect to see him
create bug sensation by having some sort of a
row in the Cabinet, and then resigning. thus CIV
ing himself another boom in the advertising line
Wanamaker's first appointments were ex-Post-
master General Tyner, of Indiana, to be Assist
ant At orney General for the Postoffice Depart
ment and j. Lowrie Bell. of Pennsylvania to be
Superintendent of the Railway Mail Service.
The Republican clean clean sweepers are
already disgusted with Harrison for his slowness
in making appointments. They are particular
as to where they do their complaining, as they
are not anxious to have them get back to the
White House yet. They still hope.
The latest Republican scheme for reduaing
the Treasury surplus is to double the salaries OF
Senators and Representatives. The Senate has
been already sounded on this question, and is in
favor of it, as might be expected.
The employees of the Agricultural Department
have presented ex-Secretary Coleman with a
handsome antique oak hall clock, eight feet high,
as a token of the esteem in which he is held by
them.
Harrison and Blaine are, in the language of
the street urchin, " in the SOUP The trouble
came through the nomination of Eugene Schuy-
Ter to be Assistant Secretary of State. A more
Objectionable man to the Senate it would have
been hard to find, and it is surprising that the
President and Mr.. Blaine should not have known
this. Schuylers principal offense was book
C .lled " American Diplomacy written by him
some years ago. in which he took occasion 10
criticse Gen. Grant, then President in a very
severe manner. also Mr.. Washburne, at that
time Minister to France, and also the Senate Of
the United States The President was inform
ed that the domination would be rejected unless
withdrawn. Blaine cabled ike fact to Schuyler,
who is in Europe, and the latter declined the
nomination.