Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-03-26
From our regular Correspondent. |
Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., March l6, 1891.
The President signalized his return to
Washington from his short hunting trip
by an act of justice that entities him to the
praise of all fair-minded men. During his
absence one, Albert Ordway, who man
ages to make very good thing, a snap
indeed, out of being Brigadier General of
the National Guard of the District of Co.
lumbia, indexer of the old Congressional
Record and the holder of several other
Gle Sam foots the bills, issued an official
order disbanding the two battalions of
colored troops attached to the District Ma
tional Guard for the alleged reason that
the appropriation made by Congress for
armory rents was insufficient for all, and
that the two colored battalons, being
unattached to any regiment, could be best
spared.
This order of course raised rumpus in
the city, and 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: This
shall not be carried out If it shall be shown
that it is absolutely necessary to disband
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
"explain" 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
places belong 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 Congress
during the recess of Congress, has rendered
an opinion in which he claims that the
President has that right. The same ques-
tion arose during the Cleveland admins
tration, and Solicitor General jerks gave
an opinion similar to that just handed the
President by the Attorney General and up
on the same grounds. The President has
not given any intimation of whether he
will make the appointments now or wait
until Congress meets again, but it is be-
lieved that he Is now considering the mat
ter and that he will make definite decis-
ion In a short time.
Treasurer Huston who has been more
lied about than any member of the admin
istration, is back at his official desk quiet
ly attending to his business. Il do not
know" he said to-day, ''hOw long shall
retain my Office. My resignation was tend
ed to the President February "a, and right
here wish to say that it was not the re-
suit of any hard feeling toward the Presi-
dent or any member Of his administration,
but because wished to give up the Office,
which shall gladly do as soon as my sue
cessor has been named" Speaking Of ma
tional politics, Mr.. Huston thinks that it
is high time that the republicans were &C.
lively organizing and working for next
years campaign.
No President ever had higher idea of
the rightfnl prerogatives Of his position.
or was quicker to resent any invasion Of
them than is Mr.. Harrison, although he
does it always in an inofensive manner.
Here Is q case in point: There Ia yacan-