The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-11-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.

ASHlNOlON - y. NOV. y. 1901.
Preposterous as il may sound it is
nevertheless true that some of the
most unscrupulous republicans are
actually seriously entertaining the idea
of stealing the seat in the Senate to
which Hon. Calvin S. Brice was elect
ed by the legislature of Ohio. As yet
this movement is confined to sounding
republican Senators to ascertain if they
will vote to reject Senator Brice on the
ground that he is not citizen of Ohio
Those engaged in this despicable
work suppose that it is secret, and if
on account OF noses, they find that they
cannot control enough votes to succeed
in the barefaced theft, it will not be
openly attempted. Fortunately the
republican majority in the Senate is a
small one, and some of the republi-
can Senators are honorable enough
and independent enough to do wha.
they believe to be right, even to the
extent of defying republican caucus.
1t is these men that will prevent this
political crime, if it is prevented. 1t
is not known what Mr.. Harrison thinks
of this thing, but it is claimed that
Secretary Foster is in favor of it, and
that he is aiding in sounding the Sena-
tors as they arrive here. 1t is difficult
to believe that the republicans in the
Senate, much as they would like to
add one more vote to their rapidly wan
ing majority, will resort to such a
method of doing it. Still, one must
have very short memory who will
dare to predict to a certainty that it
will not be done. But the prediction
may be safely made that if it is done
the honest people of this country will
see that it is followed by the speedy
punishment of those who are guilty.
Partisanship may under certain cir
cumstances be excused, but dishonesty
never. If Senator Brice has not a
clear title to his seat no member of the
Senate has.
Senator Faulkner, who is ccnser-
vative and level headed man, has this
to say on the Presidential outlook: 81
think that if the delegation from his
own State to the national convention
want him nominated, Mr.. Cleveland
will be the nominee. But if factional
differences in New York she'll make it
evident that no citizen of that state
can secure unanimous support, the
chances are that the nominee will be
sought elsewhere, as it is absolutely
necessary that the man nominated
shall be able to carry New York State. y
Representative Mills headquarters
for the Speakership campaign are al
ready open, although the number OF
Congressman in town is as yet small
but increasing with the arrival of every
train. The headquarters Of Messrs
Crisp, Mcmillan and springer will be
opened this week. AS it is just foul
weeks to day to the opening Of Con
gress the candidates for Speaker viii
have to hultle for all they are worth
from now on. The sudden death o
the son of Representative Crisp cast {
momcntary gloom over that gentle
mans prospects, but the activity o
his friends will prevent his temporar,
absence from the scene of action re
sulting in any harm to him.
Among the republicans who are il
hot chase after some of the fat officia
plums soon to be distributed by Mr.
Harrison, is ex-Speaker Keifer of un
savory memory, who is now in Wash
iugton to urge his own claims 70