Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-11-07
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
(Resular Correspondence of the Standard)
WASHINGTON, d. c., Oct. "a, 1890.
The Republicans in their despera-
ton to save themselves from the de-
feat which seems to be awaiting them
have thrown discretion to the winds,
and the scenes around the departments
remind one of the times when Jay Hub
bell, Dorsey of Star route fame, and
others of the same stripe, were compel
ling the clerks in the Government ser
wee to give up regular percentage of
their salaries to the corruption fund of
the sc. .. r" Money is being openly
demanded of the clerks, and in plain
language they are told that if they lail
to chip in they will lose their places.
The Ohioans and Indianians have Ia
ken the lead in the bull-dozing of the
helpless employees. Mr.. Harrison is
fuily aware of what is going on, and he
says not word to stop this shameful
and outrageous violation of law; the
members of the Civil Service Commits
sion know all about it, and do nothing.
except to draw their salaries. 1t is ap-
parent that if enough votes can he pur-
chased, the Republicans will retain
their grip on the House of Represent
atives, but it is the first time that any
political party has been so open in show
ing its intention TO rely upon the pur-
chase of votes.
The advices received by the Demo
cratic Congressional Committee from
all sections show that it is their unlim-
tied supply of money upon which the
Republicans depend TO carry the doubt
full districts, but the Democrats still
hope that the honor of the American
voters will be proof against the bribery
that will be proffered by the Republi-
cans on election day.
The Secretary of the Interior, who
is accused of being the author of the
insulting letter sent to Mayor Grant,
in answer to his request for a recount
of the population of New York City,
by the chief clerk of the Census Bu-
reau, has refused second request made
by Mayor Grant for q recount, all of
which makes it plain that it was the
intention of the Republicans from the
start to steal at least one Congressman
from the Democrats of New York City.
The same policy has been pursued in
the South where every State is given q
smaller population than it should have,
in order to keep down its Congressional
representation in the electoral college.
The Republicans are playing bold
game, but they may carry it too far.
The facts will be fully exposed by the
Democrats when the apportionment
bill comes up in Congress this winter.
The patronage of the Internal Rev
enue bureau is being used in an un-
scrupulous manner to defeat the cleo
tion of the Democratic Congressional
nominees in West Virginia. Represent
ative Wilson, who has rapidly come to
the front on the Democratic side of the
House by his pluck and ability, passed
through Washington this week. He
said: "The internal Revenue gang are
hot after me, and tho struggle as a re-
suit is close in my district. Men are
drawing salaries from the Government
whose sole duties are to work against
me. have the factsin my possession,
subscribed and sworn to in some cases
and they cannot be controverted, and
in other districts in the State it is equal.
ly as bad" 1t will not be surprising
if Mr.. Wilson makes an exposure ol
this whole business when Congress
meets, whatever the result in his dis
trict may be. 1t will be q national loss
to the Democratic party if Mr.. Wilson
is defeated.
i 1t looks as though Mr.. Harrison's
nerve had failed him and that the ides
of calling an extra session of Congress
for the purpose of passing the Force
bill and the apportionment bill had
been abandoned. It il still possible
that he mav issue the proclamation
; calling it after the election, and very
probable should the Democrats carry
the House, as they will if there is an
honest vote cast, and their voters go tG
, the polls.
There are no new developments in
the scramble for the place OF the lat
Justice Miller on the bench of the Su
preme Court. Attorney General Mil
Ter has returned from his visit to Indi
ana, but it has not transpired whethe
! he succeeded in his effort to make
, bargain that would result in the with
drawal of the opposition OF the Repub
lican lea.lers of that State to his nom
ination to the vacancy. That opposi
ton was strong enough last year to de
feat his aspirations, and if it should b.
exerted it will do it again, but if dea
has been or can be made, the Attorne,
General will get the prize.
The Republican District Attorne,
here has decided that the crime of tn,
recent Republican Postmaster of tn,
House, Wheat, in taking bribes, is no
: punishable under the law, because th,
law does not recognize the status O
Congressional employees. Queer. ISM
it? Dem.
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