The Russellville Democrat., 1891-05-07
THE NATIONAL CAPITOL
James c. Blaine and the Presidentia
 Nomination of 1892.
SECRETARY FOSTER RATTLeD
Over theCondition of the Treasury v ash- tnRton News During the Week
 Just Closed.

WASHINGTON, May 2s--Mr. Blaine will, am informed, shortly remove himself from the danger of being struck by presidential lightning by writing letter declining to allow his name to be considered in connec-
 ton with the nomination next year, and announcing his feaity to Mir. Harrison and his desire to see him nominated, but there is another dan ger that he either lacks the courage or inclination to remove himself from, and which may prove as disastrous l to him as the anchors be once cast to windward by the advice of "bnrn this letter." Fisher.
 This danger arises from his desire to protect the financial interests of his friend, Stephen B. Elkins, who is leading member of the syndicate that now has the government sealing privilege in Behring sea. But for ! this oesire all the trouble might have been avoided for the coming season in Alaskan waters, as 1t is known that the British minister was ready to pledge his government to stop all British vessels from capturing seals for one year if Mir. Blaine would make the same pledge for American vessels. Last year, before Elkins became interested in the seal ing industry, that was what Mir. Blaine was asking for, but now he doesn't wish tc stop the sealing be- cause his friend hopes this season to take an enormous number. A coar- ageous treasury ageut blocked the game last season by stopping the | catch, but 8 more accommodating agent in the person of J. Stanley Brown, once the private secretary of President Garfield, and now the hus- band of Molhe Garfield, has been se- lected for duty with the ssalers this season, and MT. Elkins and his part ners anticipate no trouble in taking all the seals they can catch if Mir. Blaine can only maintain the stdtus quo until the fall.
 Secretary Foster appears to be getting what the boys call "rattled" over the condition of the treasury. To quiet the alarm created by the announcement that he intended to extend the outstanding 12 per cent. bonds at 2 per cent. instead of redeeming them when they mature, Sept. l, next, he had his director of the mint furnish statement to the press which made it appear that the enormous sum of s25s, ,000,0 1000 was available to pay any debts or appro- priations. This was so absurd that Mir. Foster had himself interviewed in order that he might say that he did not altogether endorse that statement. He then proceeded to figure out an available cash surplus of $70, ,000,0 900 and to naively i'm form the country that he also consid- ers the s1Oo, ,ooo, ,o0o in gold, which has always been regarded as re- serve held against the $350, ,000, 900 greenbacks in circulation, to be available cash, and that he will hot hesitate to use it if it comes to 8 pinch. Notwithstanding these state- ments the daily balance sheet of the treasury for yesterday shows sur plus of less than SIP ,000, ,000.
 The evident Harrison stampede, which has set in among the big Re- publicans, is exciting the curiosity of political observers. Even Quay, Clarkson and Dudley have announced their allegiance to Little Benny" and their determination to see him nom. hated. The only reason thst l can for 1t is that no other man wants the dubious honor of leading the Republican forlorn hope next year.
 Representative McMillin, of Ten nessee, who is candidate for speaker of the house, and several of his frienus held a conference this week. Mir. McMillin has been travelling in Eastern states, and the presumption is that he has been doing little quiet missionary work for himself. Il To f1 taIl ok sn poets further than to say that he is in the fight until the speaker is elected.
 "Called Back'' is now applicable to ex Senator Blair, who the Chinese Emperor declines to receive as United States minister. Some other diplo- matic position is to be found for Mir. Blair, who has been ordered to re- port to the department of state.
 The joint committee of senate and house that has been trying to locate the waste of money iu the printing and distribution of public documents, has adjourned until June. Its mem- bers have found out enough to make it certain that from Is to 25 per cent. of the money now paid out may be easily saved. The same thing could be done in every branch of the government if the attempt was made by men unhampered and in earnest.
 The report of the investigation made into the antecedents of the Italians lynched at New Orleans by the United States district attorney of that place has been received by the