Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1889-03-28
WARRINGTON LETTER.
ffrom Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, March Is, 1889.

WASHINGTON, March IL, 1883.
| President Harrison is delivering the nom
nations to congress as fast as he can finish
| them. He deals with the question of for
| eign missions as n housewife makes Gus
tard pie. He begins by laying in the pan
the crust, and he retains the rich elements
to pour in as a grand finale. The most inn
portant positions already filled in the dip
lonatic service are those of minister to
Spain and minister to Italy, as the Japan
ese mission is Of secondary Importance.
The appointment of ex-Gov. Porter to
The Italian mission is acceptable to every
one, and gives the president opportunity
to reward a strong personal friend. The
selection Of Senator Palmer for the post at
Madrid is sineularly inappropriate, in the
light of precedent. For years we have sent
to Spain gentlemen of scholarship and lit
erary attainments. The libraries Of Mad
rid teen with manuscripts relative to the
early history of discoveries in the new
world. Here Prescott. then our minister,
wrote his enchanting stories of the con-
quests. and gave the Spaniards new idea
Of the ability OF North Americans. Even
Perry Belmont, hasty and irrepressible as
he may be, is still man of fine scholarship
aud literary tastes. Senator Palmer is one
Of the most popular and sensible Of million
aires, and would have made-what he so
much desired to make-an excellent secre-
tary Of agriculture. But his knowledge of
literature max be saia TO bs bounded on
ON the other by his bank book. Let us be
thankful that the days when willy Spanish
diplomats made one-sided treaties and
pulled the wool over the eyes of other dip
lomats and interfered in the international
affairs, is over.
The appointment of Mr.. swift to the.Iap-
anese mission is regarded as something Of II
fall-on for his high ambition. Perhaps Cal
ifornia should have had higher representa-
ton. Even the minister to China-if his
being Californian would not prevent his
acceptance by the Chinese court-would be
OF more advantage to the Pacific slope.
However, Japan is so delighted with every
thing American that it may be well to send
them one Of our best after dinner speakers,
and in that way MIR. swifts selection is ex-
cellent.
The selection Of George :. Batcheller Of
New York as first sistant secretary of the
Treasury, evInces desire 10 6est0w OfIIces
upon men who have done active party SER
vice. A week ago it appeared that Charles
+. Coon would certainly have this position.
but he has now missed both first and Sec
aud us.i-tant ratary.Lins Mr. (nnn
was in the treasury department from boy
hood and became IA valuable official, being
an unusually able man. When the Demo-
cratic aslministrat ton numbered him among
the slain, he went to New York city and
entered the employ Of great banking
house. lie rather forgot the rural New
York district where he had been reared, and
lost his residence there. During the last
campaign he gave the Republican party
moral support, but he did not get out and
''hustls." In fact, Mr.. Coon had been SO
long an elegant society figure that it was
quite out Sf his line. lie therefore only
claimed office as IA common, everyday pa
triot and IA man trained in the conduct of
the treasury department business. On this
latter account Secretary Window desired
his appointment. But rs the first assist
ant has the minor appointments practi-
cally in charge, Senator Platt and his
chu,ns wanted a New York man whom they
could control. and so chose Mr.. Batcheller
and left Mr.. Coon I. catch on to anything
else he might unoccupicd.
These New Workers are no less thrifty
than shifty. You will observe that failing
to secure the treasury portfolio, they se-
cure the first assistant, and they do the
same in the interior department. While
still the light holds out to burn New York
may be expected to he peering around for u
chance to do good-for itself.
IL is said with some appearance of truth
that Mr.. Blaine is attempting his old role
of ''thc power behind the throne, and that
Mr. Harrison somewhat objects to the
power being greater than the throne itself.
The plumel knight is said To have present
ell the names Of Whitclaw Reid and Will
lam Walter Phelps for the English and Ger
man missions. To the first proposition it
| is said the president responded that the
position was already disposed Of as he had
promised the English mission to another
candidate some time since.
The time since he -lih of March has been
a whole year OF hard work and patient en-
dur:,nce to President Harrison. Ills pale
| face is paler than ever. and he looks AZ
worn as IA Washington shop girl ut the end
| ,f A,Ioust