Los Angeles herald., 1892-03-10
WASHINGTON NOTES.
GOSSIP PICKED UP AT THE MA
TION'S CAPITAL
Harrison Likely to Be Renominated.
Civil Service Reform Commission.
Commissioner Lyman's Record-Pen-
sion Commits ssioner Raum-Notes.
Special Correspondence to the HERALD /

Special Correspondence to the HERALD.
WASHINGTON, March 2.
The past week has not been specially
marked by events that have transpired
at the national capital
All the surface indications point to
the denomination of President Harrison,
and like good general, he is now en-
gagged in securing up his armor, sharp
ening his swords, overhauling his guns
and preparing the weak points within
his lines in order to be prepared for
the great battle that will follow as soon
as the Democratic hosts march forth
from the Chicago convention. In
several instances President Harrison
has exhibited excellent Judgment in
selecting strong men to replace those
who have not added luster to his ad-
ministration, but there is yet work to be
done in that line.
Take the civil service commission, for
instance. The Republican representa-
tives on this board are Hon. Theodore
Roosefelt and Chas. Lyman. So far as
the acts of the commission are concerned
the above named gentlemen are re-
sponsible for them and the Republican
party in turn is responsible for Roose-
politics has no place in this commission,
but in view of the manner in which it
has been conducted in the past, there
are none 80 bold in avoiding the truth
as to attempt to press that theory.
Therefore the Republican majority of
the civil service commission frames its
policy and sees to it that the policy is
carried out.
Owing to the fact that the much
needed repairs are being made to the
political machine, Mr.. Roosevelt is
temporarily out of the reform business.
His voice is still for reform, but he is not
using it at the present time. Therefore,
Mr.. Charles Lyman is practically the
sole representative of the Republican
party on the civil service commission.
1t will be recalled that Mr.. Lyman's
conduct as civil service commissioner
was the subject OF a congressional inves-
tigation, and it developed that Mr..
Lyman was guilty of conduct unbecom-
ing true reformer. The investigating
committee 80 found, and it's finding was
duly reported to the president. The
committee was appointed by Speaker
Reed, and majority of its members
were Republicans. Yet, Mr.. Lyman is
still in Office as the representative of the
Republican party.
Does President Harrison think it good
policy to carry Lyman through the ap-
preaching campaign? If the Demo.
cratic orators and Democratic news
papers should happen to turn their
attention to Lyman they would make
things rather uncomfortable for the ad-
ministration, and it is case that can
not be defended. The report of the
committee is plain enough, and while
the president is engaged in making re-
pairs, why not overhaul the civil service
commission?
The investigation of Pension Commits
sioner Raum before Democratic COM
mittee will doubtless be more thorough
than that which was conducted by the
whitewashing combination of the bill
lion dollar congress. The administra-
tion of the pension bureau under Raum
has been scandalous, and it is to be
hoped, in the interest not only of good
government, but of honest pens oners.
that the truth will see the light.
The result OF the Democratic caucus
IN Washington is disappointment.
The Tree coinage men seem determined
to force their measure to the front. They
were unwilling to confer unless the anti
free coinage men would agree to abide
by the decision of the majority. They
insisted that numbers should govern.
The silver question is not to be settled
by. party discipline. 1t is question of
principle concerning which there is a
wide difference of opinion among men,
bers of both parties. As national or
ganization the Democratic party has not
spoken on the subject. Therefore the
free coinage men have no right to de.
mand, or their opponents to consent to,
| an agreement which would commit the |
party to the free coinage side of this is
sue. The party has the right to speak |
for itself and congressman elected on |
other issues have no right to settle it |
| one way or the other.
The free coinage men ought to recog-
nize the fact that their opponents have
offered to meet them in spirit of con-
cession. They are not only opposed to
free coinage, but are in favor OF repeal
ing the Sherman act. The Democrats
OF New York have twice announced
themselves in favor of repeal. The
anti-free coinage men are willing to
yield their desire for affirmative legisla-
tion for the sake of referring the silver
issue to the people, and the free coinage
men should meet them in the same
spirit and consent to postponement of
a controversy that, if persisted in at this
time, will endanger Democratic success
in the coming presidential campaign.
Everybody will wish for Mr.. Harrison
q restful and pleasant sojourn at Vir-
glnia Beach. He is entitled to yaca-
ton of even greater du ura tion than that