Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-03-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Written and compiled for the HERALD.

w ~1tO@-L%NNA 4 O<AN 49, = \ @@@ts
[ Written and compiled for the HERALD
WASHINGTON, D. c., March 10.-The
President signalized his return to Wash
ington from his short hunting trip by an
act of Justice that entities him to the
praise of all fairminded men. During
his absence one Albert Ordway, who
manages to make very good thing, a
"snap" indeed. ont of being Brigadier
General Of the National Guard of the Dis
trict of Columbia, Indexer OF the old
Congressional Record and the holder of
several other sinecure positions for which
kind old Uncle Sam foots the bills, issued
an official order disbanding the battalions
of colored troops attached to the District
National Guard for the alleged reason
that the appropriation made by Congress
for armory rents was insufficient for all,
and that the two cOored battaliOns, be-
ing unattached to regiments, could be
best spared.
This order of course raised a rumpus in
the city; it was talked of everywhere
and by everybody, and it was generally
condemned as unjust, because of the
GOOD record of the colored militia. As
soon as the President returned the matter
was laid before him, and he at once said
"Thls shall not be carried out if it shall
he thown that it IS absolutely necessary
10 dsband a portion of the District
militia no color line shall be drawn in
selecting the commands to be dropped. "
Now little Ordway, small in size and
smaller in intellect, is trying to Eek
plain" his action, which may be the cause
of his losing some of the "snaps" he has
enjoyed so long that he has reached that
period, almost certain to come to men
who have for years drawn big money for
nominal services, Of believing that the
place belongs to them personally.
Attorney General Miller, to whom was
referred the question of the Presidents
right to appoint the nine u. S, Circuit
Court Judges created by the last Con-
gress during the recess of Congress, has
rendered an opinion In which he claims
that the President has that right. The
same question arose during the Cleveland
Administrations, and Solicitor General
jerks gave an opinion similar to that
Just handed the President by the At
torney General and upon the same
grounds. The President has not given
any intimaton of whether he will make
the appointments now or wait until Con-
gress meel S again, but it IL believed that
he is now considering the matter and
that he will make a definite decision on a
short time.
Treasurer Huston, who has been more
lied about than any member of the ad-
ministration. is back at his official desk
quietly attending to his business. 81 DO
not know" he said today, chow long |
shall retain my Office. Ny resignation
was rendered to the President February
"a, and right here wish to say that it
was not the result of any hard feeling
toward the President or any member of
his administration, but because | wished
to give up the office, which l shall gladly
10 as soon as my successor has been
named" Speaking of national politics,
Mr.. Huston thinks it is high time that the
Republicans were actively organizing aud
working for next years campaign.
No President ever had a higher idea OF
the rightful prerogatives of his position,
or was quicker to resent any invasion OF
them than is Mr.. Harrison, although he
does it always in an lnoffensivc manner
Here is a case in point There is a va
cancy in the Office of Surveyor General of
Minnesota and Col. BucNley of that
State is prominent candidate therefor.
Tho other day several Minnesota Repre-
headed by Mr.. Hall, who
acted as spokesman, called on Mr.. Barrl-
son in behalf of Col. Buckley. After
prasing that gentleman highly, Mr.. Hall
closed by saying: 81 do not ask you to
make the appointment, for know that it
is a Senatorial ppoint"-meaning that 1t
belonged to the class of appointments
usually made on the accommodation OF
the Senator'S. The President looked at
him quzzically for moment, stepped up
close to Mr.. Hall and placing his arm
around that gentleman's shoulder said {:
~ beg your pardon, Mr.. Hall, it is
appointment"
There is no doubt where Senator Cullom
stands as to the Republican nominee next
wear. He had just come from private
conference with the President when he
was asked for some political views. lie
replied: L have just had a talk with
the man who will be nominated Ivy the
Republican party next year, and who
Will be elected"
1t is expected that the programme for
the Presidents Pacific Coast trip VIII
shortly be announced. Invitations are
pouring into Washington from cities all
along the expected route that desire the
honor of entertaining the distinguished
party.