The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-04-29
THE DEMOCRATIC PRESS.
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON. D. G.. April "a. 1891.
The news of the snubbing given Mr.. Harrison
by the National Republican League Convention
Cincinnati caused no surprise here. where every
one who is at all posted on political matters
knows the contempt felt fer the present occupant
of the White House by the leaders of the repub-
lican party. chief of whom is Mr.. Blaine who is
now believed to have Intentionally deceived Mr..
Harrison when he promised him that he would
not oppose his nomination. 1t is now conceded
that Blaine may have or dictate the republican
nomination next year. and if he allows Mr.. Har-
rison to be nominated. it will be simply because
he will have become convinced of the impossi-
bility of felecting republican.
gentleman who is a warm personal friend :
Mr.. Harrison tells me that he is not the dupe
Mr.. Blaine to the extent imagined by that gem
tleman and his friends. and that if after careful
observation of the political field he does not
think he can be re elected, he will refuse to al
low his name to go before the next republican
convention. That may be Mr.. Har rison's inten-
ton. but it would be impossible for man with
his overwhelming egotism to believe that he
could possibly be defeated. So that it may be
put down as certain that he will gladly take the
nomination. if Blaine will let him have it. That
is where the uncertainty comes in. Will Blaine
let him have it?
The effect of the legislation of the billion dollar
congress is beginning to be felt at the Treasury
department. and already Secretary Foster ha
began to scheme to how he can get the $780,
OJ0.OOO that must be repaid the 1st of July for
pensions. He has decided to utilize the S1s.OOO.-
600 in silver half dollars now in the Treasury by
depositing them in the National banks. thus
making them available for the Governments
current expenses.
Another item. aside from the Congressional
appropriations becoming payable after July /.
that is taxing Mr.. Fosters ingenuity to provide
for. is the S5OOO0.000 ~ per cent bonds that will
mature in September. Although it has for some
weeks been given out that all of these bonds
would be taken up at or before maturity. l have
it on good authority that it is the present inten
tion of Mr.. Foster to allow those in the honds of
the National banks to remain outstanding at a
reduced rate of interest, if the banks will con-
sent to it. Whether he can legally do this with
out the passage of special funding act of Con-
gress is a debatable question.
Nobody has ever had much confidence in the
honesty of Secretary Tracy's alleged reform in
the employment Of the foremen and master me-
chanics of the navy yards of the country. and
now that it has been endorsed by Senator
Chandler. there isn't an atom of confidence left
in it.
If Jerry Simpson isn't careful somebody will
cndrke uln Will pelug III tue pay u Inc W ASH
ington agents lobby. He made a speech here
this week in favor of the Government paying the
Union soldiers or their heirs the difference be-
tween the tvalue of the greenbacks paid them
during the war and of gold. He says it will only
take So. 100000 to do it. Onlyl
It has leaked out through the State depart.
ment that the administration is extremely
anxious to dispense with the services of Fred
Douglass. minister to Hayti. because of the mess
he has made of the negotiations for coaling
station ON the island for the United States. II
fears. however. to dismiss him now lest it may
effect the negro votes in next years convention
The remnants of the Sixth Massachusetts regi-
ment. of which Lieut.. Gov. Jones. of New York
was commander when it was attacked by the
mob in the streets of Baltimore in April, 1861
visited Washington this week and was royalty
entertained. They left for home this morning.
The Senate Finance Committee has designated
as subcommittee to investigate the working Of
the Mckinley tariff law. under the resolution
adopted by the Senate at the last session. Sena-
tors Allison, Aldrich. Hitchcock. Carlisle and
Harris The subcommittee begins work next
week. and it is already apparent that an attempt
is to be made to make republican campaign
thunder. but the two wideawake democrats
Messrs. Carlisle and Harris-will see that their
end is held up.