San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-04-03
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
A San Antonian in Washington-His
Journey there and View of
the Situation.
WASHINGTON March 30


WASHINGTON, March 80.
Editor LIGHT:
To one who has been cooped up in
San Antonio for several years, there
comes a pleasant surprise when he is
conveyed by the morning train, as
the writer was on the 18th inst, out
of the expanding city limits into
blooming and budding country. The
surprise is the more pleasant because
of the change from the rush and roar
of the city to the quietude of the fields,
either growing over with the promise
Of a harvest or lying fresh from the
pillow awaiting the seed. To leave
San Antonio thus and see it reaching
out eastward over the hills, fills one
with faith in her future as the great
metropolis of West Texas. Our next
surprise was to see the country along
the line of the Sunset eastward so
backward, both in the line of tillage
and forest growth. While the winter
has been as mild as a spring, eth er
the rains or something else have re-
tarded both. But strange as it may
seem, we found farming in the same
stage of progress all along our line of
travel from San Antonio up to Louis
vile, KY, and I'm fact the change
was very slight even from Louisville
on through the Virginias to the Poto-
mac. And 1 am informed that this
strange spring-like weather pre-
walls Oh up into New
York. For some cause I'M
explained, winter this time, has
proven as huge failure, as Cleve-
land, president.
Another surprise to a Texan is to
see the great army of aspirants
thronging the hotels here. 1t is not
a common rabble, but it is made up
of men with histories. Many Of them
don empty sleeves; some halt upon
crutches, while a few do both. On
the lappels of their coats the badges of
loyalty are conspicuous, and in fact,
those without them are the eXcep-
tons, and even the exceptions are the
young men, sons of fathers who did
loyal service a quarter of q century
ago. AS the appointments are made,
the various aspirants depart, the few
happy, the many disappointed. But
so far, we have heard of no croakers,
The old soldiers take their failures
with a heroism worthy of them
selves. A few days since, l fell in
with Colonel Boyd, of Missouri, and
the well known Jehu Baker, of Ill
inois, both applicants for the Vene-
Zuela mission, and both warm per-
sonal friends. Neither could be in
duced to say harmful word Of the
other. The selections of Fred Grant
for Austria and RObt. II. Lincoln, for
st. James, was surprise to the
politicians. In the case of Lincoln, it
is said that the president only sent
for the Illinois senators an hour or so
before he sent in the nomination.
They will find their ordeals severe,
but their appointments will be en-
dOrsed by the nation at large,
as worthy tributes to their illus
trious fathers. The Texans are here,
and we think will not find cause for
complaint when the offices are award
ed. All departments seemed inspired
with the old motto, festina lente. The
splendid experience of the president
enables President Harrison to avoid
unpleasant complications. The only
exception so far is the appoin tment of
Murat Halstead to Berlin. Halstead's
efforts to secure thorough investiga-
ton into Standard Oil-Payne's cleo
ton as senator of Ohio, led him to at
tack the motives of some senators, and
they now have their say; and it is
the old story over again: He laughs
best who laughs last" 1t is thought
now that H. cannot be confirmed.
Yet you know the press has fellow
feeling for a member of the press, and
senators may yet feel it prudent not
to antagOniZe power so mighty as
the press.
About three days in a week the
president has to face about three hun
dred hand-shakers, a molly crowd of
aged veterans with their canes, moth
ers with their babies, and misses with
their beauX, but he meets them hero
ically, even cheerfully. TO the
writer's three words. "San Antonio.
Texas he responded: "Thank you,
glad to see you" 1t is now supposed
that the senate will adjourn by the
3rd of April. r. M.
THE Times of this city seems to
doubt the appointment of Mr.. Paul
Fricke as marshal Of western Texas.
That doubling Thomas says:
at begins to look as if the senate
might adjourn without confirming the
nomination of Paul Fricke to be
United states marshal for the western
district ofTeXas. Besides the opposi-
ton of Southern senators, two repub-
licans are ssid to be recalcitrant.h
The Times ia refarred tO the Galvas-