Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1891-05-08
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Irregular Correspondence of the Standard
WASHINGTON May1 1901

w ASlI1NGTON, May /, 1891.
Mr.. Blaine will, / am informed,
shortly remove himself from the dam
ger of being struck by Presidential
lightning by writing a letter declining
to allow his name to be considered in
connection with the nomination next
year, and announcing his fealty to Mr..
Harrison and his desire to see him
nominated, but there is another dan.
ger that he either lacks the courage or
inclination to remove himself from,
and which may prove as disastrous to
him as the anchors he once cast to
windward by the advice of "burn this
letter" Fisher.
This danger arises from his desire to
protect the financial interests of his
friend stephen B. Elkins, who is lead
ing member OF the syndicate that now
has the government sealing privilege
in Behring sea. But for this desire all
the trouble might have been avoided
for the coming season in Alaskan
waters, as it is known that the British
minister was ready to pledge his gov
eminent to stop all British vessels from
capturing seals for one year if Mr..
Blaine would make the same pledge
for American vessels. Last year, be-
fore Elkins became interested in the
sealing industry, that was what Mr..
Blaine was asking for, but now he does
not wish to stop the sealing, because
his friend hopes this season to take an
enormous number-a courageous
Treasury agent blocked the game last
season by stopping the catch, but a
more accommodating agent in tie per-
son OF J. Stanley Brown, once the pri-
vate secretary Of President Garfield,
and now the husband of MOllie Gar
field, has been selected for duty with
the sealers this season, and Mr.. Elkins
and his partners anticipate no trouble
in taking all the seals they can catch,
if Mr.. Blaine can only maintain the
status quo until the fall.
Secretary Foster appears to be get
ting what the boys call "rattled" over
the condition of the Treasury. To
quiet the alarm created by the an
nouncement that he intended to ex-
tend the outstanding per cent. bonds
at 2 per cent. instead Of redeeming
them when they mature September
the first, next, he had his Director of
the Mint furnish statement to the
press which made it appear that the
enormous sum OF $25S, 100000 was
available to pay any debts or appropria-
tons. This was so absurd that Mr..
Foster had himself interviewed in order
that he might say that he did not al
together endorse that statement. He
then proceeds to figure out an avail
able cash surplus of $40, OOO, 900 and to
naively inform the country that he al
so considers the $lOO,OOO,O0O in gold,
which has always been regarded as
reserve held against the $3.50, OOO, 600
greenbacks in circulation, to be avail
able cash and that he will not hesitate
to use it if it comes to pinch. Not
withstanding these statements the
daily balance sheet OF the Treasury for
yesterday shows a surplus of less than
$12,OO0,OOO.
The evident Harrison stampede
which has set in among the big Repub-
licans is exciting the curiosity of polit-
ical observers. Even Quay, Clarkson
and Dudley have announced their al
legiance to Little Benny" and their
determination to see him nominated.
The only reason that l can see for it is
that no other man wants the dubious
honor of leading the Republican for
lorn hope next year.
Representative McMillin, of Tennes-
see, who is candidate for Speaker OF
the House, and several OF his friends
held a conference this week. Mr.. Nc
Millin has been travelling in the East
ern States, and the assumptions that
he has been doing Il little quiet mis-
sionary work for himself. He declines
to talk about his prospects further
than to say that he is in the fight I'M
til the Speaker is elected.
"Called Back" is now applicable to
ex-senator Blair, who the Chinese
Emperor declines to receive as L. 5.
Minister. Some other diplomatic po-
sition is to be found for Mr.. Blair, who
has been ordered to report to the De-
partment of State.
The Joint committee OF Senate ana
House that has been trying to locate
the waste of money in the printing and
distribution Of public documents has
adjourned until June. Its members
have found out enough to make it GER