The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1891-09-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
from our Regular Correspondent. I
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11th, 1891.
,r15tor AIrertISer.

From our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11th, 1891.
| Editor Aduertiser:
The administration has through Sec
retary Tracy and Attorney Genera
Miller, won diplomatic victory, with
which Secretary Blaine will doubles:
be very glad that he had nothing tc
do. They have not only prevented
the new Chilian government from de.
manding damages for the seizure OF
the steamer 1tata, which was chased
in the open seas on the strength OF
their opinions and against Mr.: Blaine's
advice, but they have prevailed upon
the representatives Of that govern
ment, whom they merciless.y snubbed
a few weeks ago, to pay the expenses
Of the long and foolish trip Of the
cruiser Charleston, in return for hav-
ing the case against the Itata of viola
ting our neutrality laws, which able
lawyers have said was no case at all,
nolle pressed in the courts. This wor-
thy pair of diplomats are said to be
proud of this victory, but it is one for
which they should really be ashamed.
They have simply taken advantage Of
the desire Of a young and weak gov
ernment to obtain the friendship of an
older and stronger government to COM
pei the acceptance of their position.
Mr.. Blaine with all his faults, would
hardly have been guilty of such a
trick as that.
Representative Mills has gone to
Ohio, where he makes his first speech
next week. Representative McMillin
and Byrum have gone to Chicago,
where they are to meet the rest of the
missionary party, which is to leave
that city next week on its tour to the
Pacific Coast.
Mr.. Harrison will have Republi-
can as well as Democrat 70 appoint
to the Insterstate Commerce Commits
sion, as bad health has compelled
Judge Cortey to resign.
Representative Catchings, Of Mis-
sissippi, thinks the circular recently
issued calling on the colored laborers
of the South to increase their demand
for picking this years cotton crop, is
the work of Republican mischief ma
kers whose object is to make trouble
between the planters and the laborers.
He says the price proposed is exces
sive and unreasonable, being equal to
about one-sixth of the value of the
cotton. "The threat of strike" sand
Mr.. Catchings, "among the farm
hands is not a matter to be lightly
considered. Cotton is a perishable
crop and when it is ripe for picking,
the picking must be done promptly or
there is heavy loss"
Secretary Foster loses no opportuni
ty to boast of there being plenty Of
money in the Treasury to meet all de-
mands, but he doesn't tell how shrewd-
ly he played his cards to prevent a
deficit Every accounting officer Of
the Treasury was some weeks ago
given to understand that the more
they delayed accounts which involved
the payment Of money, the better they
would stand with the Secretary, and
the result is that very little money,
aside from pensions and the redemp-
ton of the four-and-a-half per cent
bonds, is being paid out. Appropria-
tions for public buildings are being
held on every possible excuse in order
to let a little money accumulate IN
the Treasury for show purposes. Fhe
claim agents are wild over the situa-
tion, for they cannot get settlement
on claims that have been passed as
correct, on account of some quibble
which has been raised by some Treas
ury official acting Of course under or
ders from the Secretary. 1t ought
not to be difficult for Mr. Foster to ac-
cumulate considerable surplus if the
policy of paying out nothing is to con-
tinue.
There is one Democratic official
connected with this administration
who has been trying without sue
cess ever since the 4th Of March, 1889,
to retire from Office. His name is
Moore, and he is Third Assistant Sec
retary of State, and a remarkably
we'll posted man on International law.
He was appointed by Mr.. Cleveland,
and as soon as Mr.. Blaine took charge
of the department he handed him his
resignation, but it was returned to him
with the request that he hold it until
it was asked for. It never was asked
for, but it was rendered again short
time ago, and this time it must be ac-
cepted because Mr.. Moore has accept
ed the Professorship Of the Interna-
tional law in Columbia College.
Speaking of the State Department,
the Acting Secretary Mr.; Wharton is
very, very mad at Mr.. Harrison, be.
cause he has, whenever he has desired
to transact any business wish the de-
partment since Mr.. Blaine went away
| dono ca thrnlph Secretary Tracy. thus