The Monitor., 1891-05-01
Washington s.eIIer.
tFrom cur regular correspondent

Washington, April u, 1871.
Co. l. L. Polk, president the National
Farmers Alliance, " ho is in New York on
an educational mission, has sent some news
to Alliance headquarters in this city that
has greatly pleased those interested in the
grow til of that organization. His success
has been far beyo his anticipation, and
was certain that the organization would
soon control the balance of power in New
York state and be in position where it
could dictate terms to the two political
parties.
Senator Reagan's resignation was not
surprise here, as it had been considered
probability for some time, but the appoint
nent of NJ. Hrrace Chiffon as his success
or was not only surprise but decid, d
disappointment to tie Democrats, Who iad
hoped 10 see the honor go t. Mr. Mills. L
must be admitted that these hopes were
act altogether disinteresttd-Mr Mills
removal from the Speak=:ship contest
would have beeh relief 70 bis friends as
well as 70 his rivals
Secretary Blaine refuses 10 talk for pub
lication, but from several OF his friends
learn that be vss very much displeastd
that he should have been used by certain
parties at the recent Republican League
convent On to belittle Mr.. Harrison, his
chief; and it adds to his displeasure to
know that he can say NOTHING that will
not be misconstrued. If be should say
that he isn't a candidate and that he would
not accept the nomination, he knows that
he would be accused ofdecliniDg something
that had not been offered to him, therefore
he contents himself with telling those W no
have right to ask him that he is for the
denomination Of Mr.. Harrison. IL isn't for
me to criticize Mr. Blaine's sincerity, but
viii say that if Mr.. Blaine really wishes
Mr. Harrison to get the nominatioa, he
will certainly get it.
The secret service Off ,ials ofthe Treasury
depart ment have had their ingenuity severe.
ly taxed by the dangerous counterfeit of
the 50 silver certificate, and it is still as
great mystery as ever. The latest theory
is that in some manner an impression in
some soft me tai, or wax, was taken from
the genuine plate in the Bureau of Engrav-
ing and Printing, and that flom that i'm
pressiou the plate was made from which
the counterfeits are printed. Such things
are not possible, though one would sup
pose they ought to be, as was shown way
back in the seventies when the firm OF Jay
Cooke & Co., bankers, had lot OF Govern
ment securities that were counterfeited in
precisely that manner
Secretary Foster has decided 20 give the
holders of the $43, 00O. 900 OF 4g per cent
bonds now outstanding nearly three f0niths
of which are held by the Treasury as secur-
ity for national bank circulation, the option
of having these redeemed between this and
the date of maturity September l, next-or
of having them run at the pleasure of the
government with Interest at per cent per
annum. II Will be remembered that in
1881 Secretary Window did a similar thing
with tie 6 per cent bonds maturing in that
year, continuing t en- at 3 2 per cent.
This action is regarded by many as a bit
Of favoIitism toward the national banks.
but it is claimed that it is to be done be-
cause the money will be needed and that
il is not known yet whether the banks will
care to keep their bonds at a reduced ate
of interest. That is stuff. Not bank
w ill surrender their bonds until they are
obliged to.
San Domingo has an agent here who is
extremely anxious to negotiate recipro-
city treaty with us. He is authorized to
give the United States coaing station in
the Samoan bay, and if the telegraphed
news of our failure to secure coalipg
station from Hayti be true, that may help
him wonderfully in his negotiations.
The count Of the cash in the Treasury
consequent upon the induction Of a new
U. s. Treasurer began this morning and
will take all the time of about seventy five
employees for ten days or thereabouts
Secretary Proctor last week awarded the
largest single contract ever given for har-
Dor Improvement to Dallas, Texas, firm.
1t was for improving the entrance to Gal
weston harbor, and the amount of the bid
was 50, ,469, no. WESTON