Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-12-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular Correspondent. !
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 25, 1889.

| WASHINGTON, ID. e., Nov. %, 1889.
Secretaries Noble and Tracy have
! locked horns again for q fight. and
many think the result will be the re-
! tirement of one or the other of them
from the cabinet, perhaps both. To the
student of politics a contest between
| two such meh cannot fail to be very in
teresting, representing as they do the
extremes of the Republican party. Mr..
Noble was selected personally by Presi-
dent Harrison for his present position
and has always belonged to the conserva-
tive or silk stocking wing of the Repub-
lican party; while Mr.. Tracy came into
tive of the craftiest politician in the
country-Ex-Senator It. G. Platt, of
New York-and belongs to the working
wing of the Republican party. Presi-
dent Harrisons's personal inclinations
are all undoubtedly with Mr.. Noble,
but owing to his susceptibility to the
influence of the powerful members of
his party it is doubtful which Secreta-
ry he will in the end sustain. The
trouble between the two gentlemen
comes from the Pension Office, which
continues to be q veritable thorn in
the side of the administration. Secre-
tary Noble has asked for the resigna-
ton of five of the prominent officials
whose pensions were re-rated during
Tanners regime. One of them happens
to be special friend of Secretary Ira
cy's, and that gentleman advises him to
refuse to resign and promises his help
to aid him in keeping his POSITION.
The result is that not only Mr.. Tracy's
friend but the other four officials whose
designations were asked, have refused
to resign, and they, together with all
other re-rated officials have formed a
combination and propose to fight fol
their places, and as all of them have
friends-some of them big ones-Mr
Noble will find that he has undertaken
a large contract. Mr.. Noble in asking
for the resignation of these officials was
undoubtedly endeavoring to do the ad'
ministration a service by trying tc
stave off a Congressional investigation
into the Pension office and its methods
but it is likely to result in bringing
about that very investigation.
There is little outward change in the
} Speakership campaign. Mr.. Reed left
hurriedly for New York last Thursday
evening and the rest of the candidates
have been puzzling their brains evel
since to find out what he went for. They
are all afraid of Reed though they will
assure you that they have got hin
beaten. Mr.. Blaine, who has not beer
, personally friendly towards Mr.. Reet
for some years, promised that gentle
mans friends last summer that III
would do nothing to prevent his beins
elected Speaker. He has kept tina
promise up to this time, though grea
} pressure has been brought to bear ol
, him in behalf of one of the other can
! didates. The caucus will be held mex
Saturday and unless Mr.. Blaine shal
break his promise my next letter vii
q chronicle the nomination of Reed 70
$ Speaker.
p Gen. Crook, the Secretary ofthe Wa
, and Capt. Pratt, superintendent of tn
Carlisle Indiana school, expect to visi
), Mt. Vernon barracks, Alabama, durin
q the latter part of December for the pun
r pose of deciding whether Geronim
and the other Apache Indians now con
fined there shall be removed.
Verify the Democratic cup of joy
g full almost to overtlowing. Malone an
d Foraker have been put on the shell
n and now comes news to the Republica
!. Senators that ingalls, will probably b
;, defeated for reelection to the Senate
y "Too good to be true" is the geners
K Democratic comment on the last item
The local Republicans are very niue
n worked up over the rumor that Bruce
h the negro ex-senator, is to be appointe
- Recorder of Deeds for this city. If prC
: testing to the President will preven
It the appointment will not be made.
n Hon0rs are now easy between Sen;
If tor Quay and Mr.. Wanamaker, as tt
Il President has followed the Quay sla
~ in making the rest of the Philadelph
l. Federal appointments.
r 1t begins to lock as though Presidel
le Harrison proposed to pigeon-hole IL
a report of the Civil Service Commissio
handed him nearly a week ago.
. recommends the prosecution of sever
l. office holders for violating the la
or against soliciting campaign contrib1
tions from office holders. The Con
n mission is anXiously awaiting the Pres
= dents decision in this matter.
/ A strong effort will be made this Wi
< ter to have Congress adopt the Enclis
~ idea of postal saying bank, to be col
g. Quoted by the Post-of1ice Department