Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-08
THE PERPLExING QUESTION.
Blaine's Friends Have No Intimation of
Gen. Harrison's Purpose.

blafne's Friends Have No Inttmation OF
Gen. Harrison's Purpose.
The Blaine men are still waiting with great
anxiety to hear something from Indianapolis
II is evident that they have not vet received
the assurances they are looking for, nor even
the least intimatiou as to Mr. Blaine's chances.
1t has gradually become known that Mr.. His
cock brought nothing with him from Indian
apolis. He was no more fortunate in this
speet than those who went before him. While
the prevailing opinion is that Mr.. Blaine will
be offered the State portfolio, he and his friends
ARE STILL IN DOUBT.
curious evidence of their frame
OF mind was furnished to-day when one
of the warmest of Mr.. Blaine's confidential
friends, who, it was thought, knew much
Of what is to be done in the matter,
went privately to a disinterested party, who is
on friendly terms with Mr.. Harrison. and
asked II he had got any sort of intimatlon.
and what he thought the President-elect
would do as to Blaine. The question was
asked with an anxiety that showed how much
| In doubt the questioner was.
Renewed efforts are being made by the anti
Blaine men TO prevent his selection and both
sides of the question are being presented ~
Gen. Harrison
WITH PERPLExING EARNEsTNEss OF PURPOSE.
Within the past two or three days the anti
Blaine side of the question has been vigorously
| presented. but Mr.. Blaine's enemies, far as
| can be learned have been no more successful
than his friends in getting any expression Of
purpose or opinion from General Harrison.
One member said to a STAR reporter to-day
| that he knew the President-elect wanted TO
| make Sherman Secretary of State. but that the
| attitude of the Ohio Senator in the matter, and
the pressure being made by Blaines friends
wnIlld EalN in sol taAn
President Cleveland's Opportunity.
To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR.
1t was stated some days ago that the Presi-
dent had determined to reappoint Commits
sioner Webb, but now it is said he has recon-
sidered that purpose in view of various grave
reasons why such reappointment should not be
made. Without entering upon the question Of
| the considerations why Mr.. Webb should not be
| reappointed, permit me to suggest through
! your columns what think would be DISPOSE
| ton of the matter by the President that would
meet general favor by the public. We are now
confronting a momentous period in the history
of this District, when the Legislative as well as
( the executive power will be again lodged in the
hands of the republican party. Under
/ such circumstances it would certainly re-
| dound to the credit of Mr.. Cleveland
| as well promote the material prosperity of
this city, were he to gracefully waive his privi-
lege. and leave the selection of all the District
Commissioners TO the incoming administration.
For many reasons it is manifestly desirable
! that perfect harmony should prevail in the
District government. more especially that Its
| affiliations with the White House should be of
! the most cordial nature, in order to secure the
presidential influence for local improveme nts.
Naturally ii is to be assumed that the appolntees
of Mr.. Harrison (who, by the way, having re-
sided here for many Years. Is no stranger 10 our
needs, and is therefore emincnty qualified to
make judlcious appolntments) would be better
/ able to enlist his good services in our behalf
/ than an appointee of his predecessor; in other
words. Mr.. Harrison would doubtless prefer to
| select himself his own advisers ON District
affairs. As an interesting fact in this connec-
| ton desire 10 call your attention to the fol-
lowing manly. patriotic and Intelligent views
/ of his illustrlous grandfather. President W. ii.
1 Harrison. as expressed in his inaugural address
| March 4, lS4l The italics, 1t may be noted.
are President Harrison's own:
PRESIDENT W. II. HARRISON on DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
among the other duties of a delicate char
acter which the President is called upon to
perform is the supervision of the government
of the territories of the United States. Those
| of them which are destined TO become members
of our great political family are compensated
| by their rapid progress. from infancy to man.
hood, for the partial and temporary depri-
walton of their political rights. Ii as ia ds Dis
| t-ict only. where American citizens are to be
| found who, under a settled system of policy.
| are deprived oflnany important political privi-
leges, without any inspiring hope as to the
| future. Their only consolation under circum-
| stances of such deprivation, is that of the
| devoted exterior guards of camp-that their
| sufferings secure tranquility and safety within.
| Are there any of their countrymen who would
subject them TO greater sacrifices-to any other
| humiliations than those essentially necessary
| to the security of the object for which they
| were thus separated from their fellow-citi-
zens? Are their rights alone not TO be guar
anteed by the application of those great princi-
| pies upon which all constitutions are
| founded? We are told bv the greatest of
British orators and statesmen that. at the COM
| mencement of the of the Revolution. the
most stupid men in England spoke of their
American subjects Are there. indeed, citi-
zens of any of our states who have dreamed
| of their subjects in the District of Columbia?
Such dreams can never be realized by any
| agency of mine.
The people of the District of Columbia are
not the subjects of the people of the states. but
| free American citizens. Being in the latter
| condition when the constitution was formed no
| words used in that instrument could have been
| intended to deprive them of that character IL
there is anything in the great principles of in
| alienable rights, so emphatlcally insisted upon
| in our Declaration of Independence, they could
neither make, nor the United States accept, a
| surrender of their liberties, and become the
subjects. in other words. the slaves. of their for
mer fellow citizens. If this be true, and il will
scarcely be denied by any one who has a cor
rect idea of his own rights as an American
| citizen, the grant 10 Congress of exclusive
| jurisdiction in the District of Columbia can be
Interpreted so far as respects the aggregate
people of the United States as meaning moth
| ing more than to allow Congress the controlling
po,cer necessary 20 afford free and safe exercise
of the functions assigned 10 he general gouev7.-
nelat by Tie constitution. In all other respects.
| the legislation of Congress should be adapted
| to their peculiar position and wants, and be
conformable, 'oah Their deliberate opinions Of
| their o,rn interests"
| In conclusion. venture to assert that an in
telligent agitation of the propriety of the
| adoption of this suggestion will induce the
| President to recognize its force and admit its
paramount importance to the welfare of the
capital EAsTESDER.
The Death Record.
During the twenty-four hours ending at noon
| - L. A. Il a.,