The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-09-18
Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON. u, c. Sept. 18th. 1891,
The administration has through Sec1'e-
tary Tracy and Attorney General Mliter,
won a diplomatic victory, with ~nlch
Secretary Blaine will doubtless be very
glad that Ire had nothing to do. They
have not enly prevented the ner Chlllan
government from demanding damages
for thes seizure of the steamer ltsta, which
was chssSad in the open sess on the
strength of their opinions and against
Mr.. Blaine's advice, bat they have pre-
called upon the representatives OF that
government, whom they mercilessly
scrubbed IA few weeks age, to pay the ex-
penses of the long and foolish trip OF
the cruiser Charleston, in return Tor
having the case against the Itata of vio-
iating our neutrality laws, which able
LAWYERS have said was no case at all,
nOHe pressed in the courts. This worthy
pair of diplomats are said to be proud of
this victory, hut it rs one for which they
should really be ashamed. They have
simply taken advantage of the desire of
young and weak government TO OBJ
tain the friendship of an older and
stronger government to compel the ac-
ceptance of their proposition. Mr.
Blaine with all his faults. would hardly
have been guilty of such trick as that.
Representative Mills has gone to Ohio,
where he makes his first speech next
week. Representatives McNillin and
Bynum have gone to Chicago, where
they are to meet the rest of the mission
airy party, which is to leave that city
next week on its tour To the Pacific
Coast.
Mr.. Harrison will have a Republican
as well as Democrat to appoint to the
Interstate Commerce Commission, as
bad health has compelled Judge Cool
ey to resign.
Representative Catchings, of MisSis-
sippi. thinks the circular recently issued
calling on the coiored laborers of the
South to increase their demand for pick
ing this years cotton crop, is the work
of Republican mischief-makers whose
object is to make trouble between the
planters and the iaborerS. He says the
price proposed is excessive and unrea-
sonable, being equal to about one sixth
of the value of the cotton. The threat
of strike said Mr.. Catchings," "
among the farm hands is not matter
to be lightly considered. Cotton is
perishable crop and when 1t is ripe for
picking, the picking must be done
promptly or there is heavy loss.
Secretary Foster loses no opportunity
to boast of there being plenty of money
in the treasury to meet all demands, but
he doesn't tell how shrewdly he has
played his cards to prevent a deficit
Every accounting officer of the Treasury
was some weeks ago given 10 understand
that the more they delayed accounts
which involved the payment of money,
the better they would stand with the
secretary, and the result Is that very lit
tie money, aside from pensions and the
redemption of the four-and-a-half per
cents bonds, is being paid out Appro-
priations for public buildings are being
held up on every possible excuse in or
der to let a little money accumulate in
the Treasury for showing purposes. The
claim agents are wild over the situation,
for they cannot get settlement on claims
that have been passed as correct, on ac-
count of some quibble which has been
raised by some Treasury official acting
of course under orders from the Secreta-
ry. 1t ought not to be difficult for Mr..
Foster to accumulate a considerable sur
plus if the policy of paying out nothing
is to continue.
There is one Democratic official con-
nected with this administration who has
been trying without success ever since
the 18th of March, 1889, to retire from
office. His name is Moore, and he is
Third Assistant Secretary of State, and
remarkably well posted man on interna-
tiOnal law. He was appointed by Mr.
II
took charge of the department he hand
ed him his resignation, but it was re-
turned to him with the request that he
hold it until it was asked for. 1t never
was asked for, but it was rendered again
"A short time ago, and this time it must
be accepted because Mr.. Moore has ac-
cepted the ProfesSorship of International
Law in Columbia College.
Speaking of the State department, the
Acting Secretary Mr.. Wharton Is very,
very mad at Mr. Harrison, because he
has declined to transact any business with
the department since Mr.. Blaine went
away, done so through Secretary Tracy,
thus ignoring the acting Secretary en-
tirely.
General John C. Black, ex-Commis-
siOner of Pensions, is in Washington
this week, in attendance upon the meet
ings of the board of managers of the
National Home for disabled volunteer
soldiers, which are heing held at the
War department.
Democrats here regard FaSsett as an
easy man to defeat for the governorship
of New York. 1t will be sufficient for
the people to know that he is Tom