The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-07-08
WASHIN GTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. c., July 8. 1s9

WASHINGTON, d. c.. July 3. 1891.
Mr.. Harrison's enjoyment of his vacation will
uot be enhanced by the knowledge of the fact
that he has made big mistake in bargaining
with Senator Quay for the Pennsylvania dele
cation to the next republican national conven-
tion. as it IS now apparent that Mr.. Quay will
not be able to control the delegation without a
bitter fight, if he can then. Such fight always
leaves bad condition of affairs, as Mr.. Harri
son well knows from personal experience in his
own State, which bodies no good to the Individual
who benefits by the triumph. This state of af-
fairs is specially disquieting to MIR. Harrison
because it has been his policy ever since he
openly entered the field for a denomination, to
avoid anything like a fight in any State, He
wants it to appear that his nom ination is spon-
| taneously demanded by the rank and file of hls
party, in the meantime patronage and promises
are being used for all they are worth to add to
this " spontaneous feeling among the people
1t is very difficult matter to keep anything
secret after it has been discussed with gov
ernment official, be that official the President OF
| one of the heads of departments. Therefore IL
is not surprising that the principal object of the
mysterious visit of Col, Robert j. Ingersoll and
John W. Mackay to the White House last week
should have leaked out. 1t is as yet known to
very few. but one of the number has given it to
me. The two distinguished gentlemen were
here on a subsidy " boode' hunt. They had
already received the endorsement of Secretary
Blaine, and came for that of MIR Harrison, and
there is reason to believe they got it. The
scheme is to lay a cable between some point not
yet decided upon, in the United States and
Brazil, and the expectation OF the promoters OF
the promoters of the project is that the subsi-
dies that will be obtained from this government
and hat of Rrl lZl will ha mo than n 4
lay the cable. The idea is to be popularized by
giving out the statement that the cable. like
subsidized teamships, is necessary before we
can receive the full benefits of reciprocity with
Brazil. 1t isn't considered very probable that
anything involving the payment of subsidy
will be very popular with the House of the
Fifty y-second Congress.
Secretary Rusk assumed, under at of Con-
gress, control of the Weather Bureau last W ed
nesday, and Mr.. Harrison appointed Prof W.
W. Harrington. of the University of Michigan
chief of the bureau. in place of Gen. Greeley
1t is very much feared that this is the first step
toward making partisan political machine
out of bureau that has hitherto been kept
comparatively free from politics.
Another "ex'' has been comfortably provided
for by the appointment of ex-Congressman 81.
monds. of Connecticut to be Commissioner of
dtSnbss III pldSS VI NudIlcS Il MUCnell, OF the
same State. whose resignation was handed in
some time ago. This appointment leaves sew
eral heads very sore. one particularly sore be-
ing that of Chicago man who tn hought he had
a clInch' on the appointment.
Jesse Seligman. the Wall Street banker at
whose house Secretary Foster stopped when he
went to New York several weeks ago to ascer-
tain how much interest the Vail Street people
were willing to pay on the extended four and
a-half per cent bonds, came over here this
week to learn why The announcement carrying
out his orders had not teen made He was
probably satisfied when told that the admins
tration was simply going through the form of
considering the matter for the purpose of bam-
boozling the people. and that in due time the
Official announcement would be made fixing
the interest at the Wall Street figures, per
cent
Mr., Harrison left today for Cape May Point,
where he goes to hear what the wild waves are
saying about his denomination and other things
in which he is interested. Private Secretary
Halford informs the public that the executive
Office will be removed to the same place next
week, and that it will probably remain there
for five or six weeks.
The administration is in pickle with the
was about to capitulate to the knights of Labor
craving and Printing to the seven Knights who
were discharged by Chief Meredith the Fedora
ton of Labor steps up and warns him to do so
at his peril. which leaves him "betveen the
devil and the deep sea- as it were.