The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-05-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. D. G, May l. 1891.

- LII
Mr.. Blaine will, am informed, shortly re-
move himself from the danger of being struck
by Presidential lightning by writing letter
declining to allow his name to be considered in
connection with the nomination next year, and
announcing his fealty to Mr.. Harrifon and his
desire to see him nominated. but there is another
danger that he either lacks the courage or in
clination to remove himself from. and which
may prove 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 a leading member of the syndi-
cate that now has the government sealing priv
ilege in BehrinS 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 government to stop all British vessels from
capturing seals for one year if Mr.. Blaine
would make the same pledge for America YES
sells. Last year. before Elkins became interest
ed in the sealing industry. that was what Mr..
Blaine was asking for. but now he doesn't 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 the person of J. STAN
ley Brown, once the private secretary of Presi-
dent Garfield. and now the husband OF Mollie
Garfield, has been selected for duty with the
sealers this season, and Mr.. Elkins and his
parners 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 getting what
| the boys call 'rattled'' over the condition of
| the Treasury. To quiet the alarm created by
the announcement that he intended to extend
| the outstanding AZ per cent bonds at per
cent instead of redeeming them when they
| mature September the 1st, next, he had his
Director of the Mint furnish a statement to the
| press which made it appear that the enormous
sum OF S25s.000.000 was available to pay any
| debts or appropriations This was so absurd
| that MIR. Foster had himself interview ed in
order that he might say that he did not al.
| together endorse that statement. He then pro.
| ceeds to figure out an available cash surplus Of
$7oOOO,OH0 and TO naivelv inform the country
that he also considers the 500 600 900 in gold
which has always been regarded as reserve
held against the $35), GOO 600 greenbacks in cir
| culation. to be available cash and that he will
not hesitate to use it if it comes to a pinch
Notwithstanding these statements, the daily
balance sheet of the Treasury for yesterday
shows a surplus of less than Si2 0OO.C0o
The evident Harrison stampede, which has Sc
in among the big republicans, is exciting the
curiosity of political observers Even Quay
Clarkson and Dudley have announced theil
allegiance to Little Benny and their deter
mlnation to see him nominated. The only reason
that can see for it is that no other man want
the dubious honor of leading the republican
forlorn hope next year.
Representative McMillin, of Tennessee VIII,
is candidate for Speaker of the House, ant
several of his friends held conference thi
week. Mr.. McMillin has been travelling in th
Eastern States, and the presumption is that b.
has been doing little quiet missionary worl
for himself. He declines to talk about his pros
poets further than to say that he is in the ffgh
until the speaker is elected,
Called Back'' is now applicable to ex-Sena
tor Blair. who the Chinese Emperor declines t.
receive as U. S. Minister. Some other diplo
matte position is to be found for Mr.. Blair. VIII
has been ordered to report to the Department
of State.
The joint committee of Senate and House tina
. has been trying to locate the waste of money il
the printing and distribution of public docu
ments has adjourned until June. Its member
have found out enough to make it certain tha
from 15 to 20 per cent of the money now pai
out may easily be saved. The same thing coul
be done in every branch of the Government
the attempt was made by men unhampered an
in earnest.
The report of the Investigation made into tn
antecedents of the Italians lynched at Ney
, Orleans by the U. S. District Attorney of tina
place has been received by the Attorney Gen
! eral and turned over to Mr.. Blaine, who wi
decide whether it shall be made public.