The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-02-19
Washington Letter.
I Special Correspondence Of the Gold Leaf.]
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 16.

Special Correspondence of the G0h Leaf.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 16.
At the White House the utmost ig-
norance of extra session probabilities
prevails. Mr.. Halford says that there
is possibility, as there always is, of
an extra session, but he saw nothing
ahead to make such an event probable.
Secretary Proctor would not say any
thing about the matter. 1t was learned
at the State Department that there is
nothing new on hand or contemplated
to make an extra session of the Senate
necessary.
That there is a majority in both
branches of Congress in favor of free
and unlimited coinage Of silver appears
to be admitted along with the appar-
ent impossibility of getting some ofthe
silver Republicans in the House to vio-
late the rules of order to secure what
they would wish to secure in an or
DERBY manner. The tactics of the ex-
IRENE silverites are bold and shrewd
and final settlement of the question
is awaited with deep interest.
The sudden death of Secretary Win
dom recalls the fact that two of his
predecessors in the Treasury Depart
ment sacrificed themselves almost in
like manner by over work, Secretaries
Folger, of the Arthur administration,
and Manning of President Cleveland's
administration. In both the latter
cases, however, the incumbents of the
Treasury portfolio were comparatively
inexperienced as to the great amount
Of detail labor of that department,
while Secretary Window in addition
to his services in both House and Sen
ate, had some seven months experience
as Secretary of the Treasury under the
Garfield administration, and under
stood the exact situation. Secretary
Manning tried to live two lives when
no man has but one, and without
warning was stricken with paralysis at
the department. He was carried home,
but failing to recover his health, was
forced to resign his position, and, re-
turning 10 Albany, New York, died
shortly thereafter. Secretary Folger's
fate was hardly less tragical. He re-
signed his position as Judge of the
New York Court of Appeals to accept
the Treasury portfolio. His whole life
had been in legal and judicial occupa-
ton, and the labors of Treasury affairs
were new to him. He undertook to
run that vast department on the ju-
dicial plan, and insisted upon passing
upon every case as if it were matter
of judicature to be determined by him,
self alone. He was indisposed to trust
his Assistant Secretaries or other sub
ordinates, and hence he gave way
under the great load with which he
had burdened himself against the re-
monstrances of his friends. Like Sec
rotary Manning ne fell at his post, and
shortly thereafter passed away.
That the Democrats have brought
comparative order out of the chaos OF
legislation by the superior management
of their leaders, especially the mastery
strategy of Senator German in straDg-
ling the Force bill, is more than evil
dent. If anything in the interest OF
remedial legislation shall be accom-
plished at the present session, the credit
therefor will belong wholly to the
Democrats. The Force bill, with its
illegitimate offspring of the clotu-e
rule, are laid low and have persisted.
If, however, the Democrats in both
branches can secure the passage of the
free silver coinage bill, defeat the sub
sidy shipping bill and prevent the
passage of any partisan legislation in
the interest OF the Republican party,
their good work, although in the mi
nority, will exercise the widest influence
in the ensuing Presidential election.
The present Congress is properly
characterized as a roaring farce, in
Aich the Republican leaders have
T. d the role of tyranny and usurpa-
NO such an extent as to make
ions offensive. There never
Never will be another such
Aor yet another Speaker
I'd kidney of Mr.. Reed.
OF March shall ring
Q the Republican
kEill mark it as