San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-12-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2l. 1891.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2l. 1891.
The presidents selection of Hon,
Stephen, B. Elkins, of West Virginia,
to be secretary Of war is generally re-
cogniZed here as the most importa
nomination, from political point of
view, made slice the session of con-
gress opened. 1t furnishes indisput-
able evidence that there lie perfect
understanding between president and
secretary Blaine, and 1t unquestion-
ably adds great political strength to
the ad ADMINISTRATION, as Mr.. Elkins, in
addition to being the possessor in an
unusual degree of u executive ability,
is one of the shrewdest politicians in
this country. Aside from the few
gentlemen who were pushing candi-
dates of their own for the position
the appointment is entirely satisfae.
tory to the republicans, and equally
unsatisfactory to the democrats.
Wednesday of this week congress
will adjourn TO January 5. for the
Christmas holiday, and 1t Is expected
that Mr.. Crisp will on that day an
nonnce the committee assignments.
He hopes that the joys of the season
| will help to assuage the many dis
| appointments among the democratic
mem bers before they will have an
| opportunity 10 display their chagrin
on the floor of the house. This adj
| journment might as we'll have taken
| place on the day that Crisp was elect
ed speaker, as the house has since
then done nothing but adjourn for
! periods of three days.
| hn ri 10 Of tot
feel that Mr.. Crisp has added insult
10 injury by writing a note to Mr..
| Mills asking him to take the second
place on the ways and means COM
| mittee. instead of hfferirg him the
Craftsmanship. which, they say, he
would have declined anyway. Mr..
Mills, in his answer to the note of
Mr.. Crisp, declined serving on the
was and means committee, and said
that he had no preference as TO other
committees. He will probably he
made chairman on the committee on
| commerce,
There is quite howl among the
southern mem hers because the chair
mspship of the two most important
committees-ways and means, and
appropriations, are to go to northern
1
SpriD ger and Holman will secure
these two plums, but the opposition
will not give up hope until the ap-
pointments are actually made.
II the adage "He who hesitates Is
lost" be true Mr.. Crisp is lost almost
beyond hope of ever being discovered.
From the day of his election to the
present time he has done nothing
hut hesitate. although he canDOs
hesitate much longer as he has prom
ised almost positively that ne will
announce the committee on Wednes-.
day.
Senator Paddock, has originated a.
scheme which speaks well for both
his business sagacity and his large
ness of heart ana Secretary Rusk has
entered into hearty corporation
with him to carry the idea out. 1t is
proposed that the farmers 81 the great
cJrn raising States OF the North West
shall contribute train load of corn,
which shall be carried to Russia, free
of freight charges, and be presented
To the starving peasants of that coun-
try, who, by practical de mon tratioD,
will then know that American is q
tirst-class TODD product, a knowledge
that we have been valnly trying to
impart to them for a number of
years.
Naval Officials will not admit that
war with Chill is among the prob
abilities, never heless the Navy de-
partment is taking the preliminary
steps niece ssaTy to get in readiness for
such war. Not only have all of our
available war vessels been ordered to
the Pacific, but arrangements are
being made which will give the de-
partment the con troll of large num-
Der of merchant vessels ct short no.
tice should they be needed. Yet all
this is regarded as merely precaution-
ary as those who are to he posted are
of the opinion that Chilli will apollo
giZe as soon as she finds that we are
in earnest.
II now looks as if Secretary Fosters
| Christmas gift would be restoration
to health, as he daily improves and
his physician says all the dangerous
symptoms have disappeared.
The democratic Senator from Indi-
ana, are making themselves ridIcu-
lous in their efforts 10 work up q SEN
timent against the confirmation of
the nomination of Judge Woods of
| that State to a seat OH the bench of
the new Circuit Court. There isn't
| the lightest probability that n single
| repu blican SeneJor will vote against
Judge Woods. r.
4 Splendid Company.