The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-04-16
80 on - coRRIDoRs,


that there was one Nermonter who did not
share IN the general surprise which thrilled
ali Green Mountainous at Senator Edmunds'
resignation. That Yemonter was Hon. Red
field Proctor. Secretary Of War, ] also feel il
in my aforesaid bones chat he will be Senator
Edmuuds's successor. The reason for this faith
is that my acquaintance with Secretary Proc
tor has impressed me strongly that he is sin
gulRrly clear headed, lar-seeing, managing man
VINO contrives TO get i'm possession OF all the
bottom facts bearing upon anything that he i
interested in, and thus to be in shape Go be
come master of them aud tho situation. Thi,
accounts for his extraordinary success in lie
He has always kept himself better posted than
any OF his competitors, had his arrangements
made for every contingency, and so was ready
when the time came. lie has undoubtedly
had his eye on the Vermont Senatorship for
quite awhile and has been waiting his oppor-
tunity. No man IN the State has more friend,
than he, and they are the right kind OF friends
men OF bis own stamp keen -witted, capable
men, genuine In their friendships, aud with
the ability 10 make their friendship effective
There is a rush OF other names 10 the front
but I'll risk my reputation as prophet upon
these predictions: That Secretary Proctor has
no present thought Of resiguing from the Cab
met TO accept an appointment from the Gov
ernor Of Vermont, to serve until the meeting
OF the Legislature in 1892; that the Governor
will not make such an appointment; but will
soon call the Legislature together in extra ses-
sion, in order to dispose Of the questions Of the
duplicate fsb-hatchery make a requistion on
the Government for Yemout's share Of the re-
funded direct taxes. and 10 convey 30 the
United States the ground for the public build
ing at ST. Adams. These three things furnish
ample reason for an extra session, and the in
torest ON q quarter of a million dollars re-
funded taxes from now until the stated meet
ing Of the Legislature in 1892, win more than
pay the expenses Of an extra session. This
session viii duly elect Redfeld Proctor Sena
Cor, and thus everything viii be done in the
systematic, business-like way that eharactorizes
him.
Sunday, April g. Sir John Thompson and
Hon. Geo L. Foster. members OF the Canadian
Cabinet, and commissioners 10 arrange the
prclimiHaries 10 a treaty Of reciprocity between
that country aud this, arrived in Washington
and Ia the forenoon OF the next day they
called on Secretary Blaine az his residence, in
company with Sir Julian Pauncefote, the Brit
ish Minister They only stayed little while
at MI. Blaiuc's, when they returned to their
hotel, aud announced that they would leave
the city Ia q few hours. As they bad previ-
Ously Cxurest an intention Of staying several
days Ia Washington, this announcement caused
q grcai deal Of surprise, aud il was at once
asserted that they bad been snubbed by the
Secretary Of State and were leaving in anger.
Some Of tie opposition papers became quite
Wild over the matter, and declared that the
insult 10 tue Canadians threw the grievance Of
Italy qnito in the shade.
10 rua subsequently explained that the
previous Thursday Sir Charles Tuppcr had
called oH Mr. Blaine with reference 20 the pro-
posed yisil and was received most courtoously.
The meeting was arranged for Monday but
later AIr. Blaine learned that the President
desired 10 be present at the conference, but
could not unless il was postponed, as he was
about 10 start on his southern and Western
trip. Sir Julian Pauncefote read y agreed TO
the postponemcnt and telegraphed 70 the
Ministers but as they had already left Ottawa
the Telegram did not reach them. The Minis
tiers have returned 10 Ottawa and reported that
they were received with the utmost courtesy,
aud arc well pleased with the President and
Mr. Blaine. Had they not left Ottawa a few
hours DO advance Of the time originally de-
terminrd upon they would not have gone at
all, as they would lave then received the tele-
gram asliug them 10 postpone their visit. As
it is, no lime viii be lost, as any treaty agreed
upon viii have 10 be pigeon.holgd until Con-
Eress meets.
Secretary Proctor has made his thorough.
going business character felt throughout the
War Department When be entered Office the
Department was far behind IN The work Of an.
sWoring the calls Of the Pension Bureau foi
rocord Of applicants for pensions, aud getting
farther behind every day. The records show
that ou July q ls59, there were % 900 Of these
calls from the Pension Bureau lying unan.
Hwerod iu tHo Department, aud 1864 more Of
similar calls from the Second AUDITORS and
other Offices. The complaints from all sides
were loud and many, aud a reorganization WA
at once effected, which promised greater eli
cheney iu ihis branch. The promise has beer
spleudidiy kept. Though the passage Of liberia
pension laWs by Congress has greatly increased
these demands upon the Department, all Tia
arrcan 81 work have been brought up, ia,
great accumulation Of unanswered inquiries
has been ped out aud for the last foul
months more than 81 per cent. Of tho inquiries
have been answered within "a hours OF thcil
receipt Starting with an accumulation O
4DGa unanswered inquiries July {, 1883
30l ,23s more were received between that tim,
and juno 30, 1880, al which latter date ever,
Que bad been answered. This involved thr
answering o. gsl inquiries day, and between
dec. . ESQ., aud Feb 25. 1891, tbc average wa
l,s5l q day. This has not been accompishe,
by increasing the clerical force, which LA
roal.y been reduced. but by the introduction 0
improved business methods
e..
Tho pr3iractcd anxiety a. 10 who Shout,
receive thc appointment Of Third hssistan
Secretary Of the Treasury has been ended b,
dropping The whole list Of ex- Representative
WHO were considered "likely," and who wen
more Or less urgently pressed upon the atteD