Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-12-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.

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Written and compiled for the HERALD
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec, 1.-The Pres
dents selection of Hon. Stephen B. Ell
kins, of West Virginia, to be Secretary of
War is generally recognized here as the
most important nomination, from politi-
cal point of view, made since the session
of Congress opened. 1t furnishes indispu-
table evidence that there is perfect un-
derstanding between the President and
Secretary Blaine, and unQuestlonably adds
great political strength to the administra-
ton, as Mr.. Elkins, IN addition to being
the possessor in an unusual degree of ex-
ecutive ability is one of the shrewdest
politicians IN this country. Aside from
the few gentlemen who were pushing
candidates of their own for tie position
the appointment is entirely satisfactory to
the Republicans, and equally satisfactory
to the Democrats.
Wednesday of this week Congress will
adjourn to January 5, for the Christmas
holidays, and it is expected hat Mr.. Crisp
will on that day announce the committee
assignments. He hopes that the joys of
the season will help to assuage the many
disappolntments among the Democratic
mem bers before they will have an Oppor-
tunity to display their chagrin on the
floor of the House. This adjournment
might as we'll have taken place on the day
that Crisp was elected Speaker, as the
House has since then done nothing but
adjourn for periods of three days.
The friends of Representative Mills feel
that Mr.. Crisp has added insult to injury
by writing note to Mr.. Mills asking him
to take the second place on the Ways and
Means Committee, instead of offering him
the chairmanshlp, which, they say, he
would have declined anyway. Mr. Mills,
in his answer to the note of Mr.. Crisp, de-
clned serving on the Ways and Means
Committee, and said that he had NO
preference as to other committees. He
will probably be made chairman oil the
committee on Commerce.
There Is quite howl among the South
ern members because the craftsmanship of
the two most important committees--WaYs
and Means, and Appropriations, are to 60
to Northern men. it being about settled
that Springer and Holman will secure
these two pumbs but the opposition will
not give up hope until the appointments
are actually made.
If the adage ale who hesitates is LOST
be true Mr.. Crisp is lost almost beyond
hope of ever being discovered. From
the day of his election to the present time
he has done nothing but hesitate, although
he cannot hesitate much longer as he has
promised almost positively that be Will
announce the committees on Wednesday.
Senator Paddock, has originated a
scheme which speaks we'll for both his
business sagacity and his largeness of
heart, and Secretary Rusk has entered
into hearty cooperation with him to car
ry the idea out. 1t is proposed that the
farmers OF the great corn raising States
of the North West shall contribute train
load of corn, which shall be carried to
Russia free of freight charges, and be pre-
sented to the starving peasants of that
country, who, by practical denomination,
will then know that American corn IS a
first-class food product, knowledge that
we have been yainly trying to impart to
them for a number of years.
Naval officials will not admit that
war with Chill is among the probabilities,
nevertheless the Naval Department is
taking the preliminary steps necessary to
get in readiness for such a war. Not only
have all of cur available war vessels been
ordered to the Pacific, but arrangements
are being made which Will give the de-
partment the control of large number OF
merchant vessels at short notice should
they be needed. Yet all this IS regarded
as merely precautionary, as those who
ought to be posted are of the opinion
that Chill will apologize as soon as she
finds that we are in earnest
1t now looks as if Secretary Fosters
Christmas gift would be restoration to
health, as he daily improves and his ply
stefan says all the dangerous symptoms
have disappeared.
The Democrat tic Senators from Indiana,
are making themselves ridiculous in their
efforts to work up sentiment against the
confirmation of the nomination of Judge
Woods of that State to seat on the
bench of the new Circuit Court. There
isn't the slightest probability that a single
Republican Senator Will vote against
Judge Woods.