, 1889-08-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Aug ,, 1889.


Tn. order issued by Po,tmHstrr Cen
sraI Wanamakcr fixing the rate which
shall be charged by telegraph companies
for transmitting Government messages
at figure which makes reduction OF
1000 per cent, is generally regarded as
far from an ultimatum on that subject.
A veIing question, which has come up
Us p rssi5le contingent before the con-
troyersy ends, Is whether the company
will have the legal right to refuse to send
government messages if their bills are
not duly settled, the order of the post
naster-generai having laid up such bills
until rate of compensation is deter
mined upon.
Department officials seem 10 be con-
yinced that Mr.. Wanamaker's order fix
ing She rates for the companies to charge
will have to be respected If II Is enforced
though there is a great deal of doub: rs
20 its being adhered to. They base this
conclusion on the experience of the de-
partmeut with railroad companies which
10 past time have objected to the rates
established for carrying the mails, IN
every instance OF this kind, they having
been obliged to accept the official rullHg.
however unjust they might regard the
action.
Room No. Al at the Ebbitt house vas
the Mecca of a number OF politicians
last night, and especially those who hail
from the state of Ohio. The occupant
of the room was Corgf essmau William
j, Mckinley, one If OGI0'S foremost
statesmen and q candidate ot the 8uck-
eye state TO: tho speakersbip Of the next
house. Major Mckinney WAS at home
to all who called during the early art Of
the evening, and when yOur corr spoHd-
ent put in an appearance he was :uT-
rounded by number of his constItu-
snts, who are Temporarily IL the city, and
ono or two loca' admirers.
81 am iu tue c.ty for d few days only
said ths Champion Of protection to tbe
American indu tries, as he tnrned f.oLn
his group of callers for a few DoUents.
~ have been spending the past few
weeks at a Pennsylvania mouutiau re-
sort, have not seen the newspapers, and
hence am not posted op political affairs"
In response to query as TO the speak
ership of the ueYl house, he replied
snow you have got me-" but the
major could not suppress one OF his
most innocent smiles as he continued: :
~ ara not making the least effort i'll that
direction, feeling that if | am wanted Tor
that PLACE my coileas ues viii make their
desire known without any advice from
me-"
"There is story going the rounds to
the effect that the president has decided
10 Oall an extra session of congress and
hss sent for the candidates FOR speaker,
that he may make known his decision
and consult with them, thus giving them
all fair show"
"Thai's good story" The Ohio con-
gresham laughed heartily this time.
EAnd l suppose | am the first man on
She ground, according to the same au:
thoTity. Well, if there is any arrange
meDt like that [ am very much afraid
that have been left out in the cold
know absolutely nothing concerning she
plans of the administration in this re
speat."
The reported seizure of the English
sealing vessel Black Diamond, by the
revenue cutter Rush, has not caused the
excitement among the officials of the
state, navy and treasury department that
slch 30 incident might be expected TO
create. Beyond the brief dispatch OF
Tuesday from the commander of the
Rush reporting the sc zure of the Black
Diamond, the treasury department has
received nothing cnnceriDg the matter.
Within the past few days half dozen
letters have been received from the com
mRnder OF the revenue vessls on the seal
ing grounds, but nope OF these give any
Information concerning the movements
OF ssalers or the condition Of matters
about Bearing straits. Some IT these
letters were dated as late as July !. They
relate to nothing but routine business
matters.
Acting Secretary " harton said yester-
day that the state department had re-
eeiyed no definite information about the
seizure. lie thought that The British
legation at Washington would lay tie
matter before tue Department. in a month
or so.
The president and Secretary Haiford
returned to the White House lat. yes
tsrdsy afternoon. The president will
be here about a week, and then 90 to
Bar Harbor fhe nffice-seeEers expect
that week TO be given to them esIecial
pickinRs, aud they hope that a number
Of appointments viii be made immedi-
aieiy. Several consular appointments
are expected.
Bark Northwest, from San Francisco
for Port Madison, callided in the bay