The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-04-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, April 4, 1892

lauded - by republicans for its purity
and honesty-ever since it came into
power. No wonder that Mr.. Harrison,
who, to "render under Caesar that
which is Caesars, is man of great
personal purity and sterling honesty,
is shocked at some of the most recent
exposures. Any honest man would
be. And what makes the matter
worse. is that prominent members of
Mr. Harrison's own party have shown
up some of the worst things. For in
stance, 1t was republican Senator
Manderson of Nebraska-who on the
floor of the Senate proclaimed. and
produced the documents to prove that
the authorities of the Indian Bureau
have for several months been trying to
compel the army officer, who is acting
Indian Agent at Pine Ridge Agency,
to accept and distribute lac, 900
pounds of bacon which has been sent
to the agency by Chicago contractor
and refused by the army officer, because
of its being unfit to eat. How Mr..
Harrison must enjoy reading the let
tiers from the sanity Indian Commits
sioner (who signaized his entrance in
to Office, several years ago, by crea-
ting scandal, in connection with sad
ding his wife's travelling expenses on
the Government, besides getting her a
salary by appointing her his private
secretary to the honest army officer in
behalf of the dishonest contractor.
1t was also republican Senator -
Chandler of New Hampshire who,
as chairman of the Senate committee
on immigration, first directed public
attention to the fact that officials of
the Treasury department had author
lied the expenditure Of $55o,ooo more
than there was any legal authority for
spending, on the buildings, etc, at the
Government Immigrant station on Ell
lis Island in New York Harbor, an
expenditure which the House and SEN
ate Committees on immigration are
now jointly engaged in investigating,
for the purpose of placing the respon-
sibility therefor upon some one official,
if ifposslble. 1t cannot be charged that
politics had anything to do with expos
ing either OF th.se Charming specimens
of official crookedness. The Pension
Office scandal Mr.. Harrison has had
with him so long that he has probably
almost become accustomed to it; but
some Of Raum's admissions, to say
nothing of the testimony of others to
the House Committee now engaged
in investigating that office, must have
made very interesting reading for Mr..
Harrison.
The first step towards tie tariff re-
form, which the democratic party will
ask the voters of the country to en-
durse next November, will have been
taken when the House passes the
Springer free wool bill, this week, and
others will follow in due season. If
the republican Sepate sees fit to refuse
to pass these bills, so much the worse
for the republican party.
Silver rumors are thick just now,
probably because of the agitation in
the Senate caused by the debate
brought on by Senator Morgan's reso
luton and challenge to the Senators
to define their positions. In spite of
all that is said it is very doubtful
the Senate will go to the ex-
tent of voting on Senator Stewards
free coinage bill. 1t certainly will not,
if the influence of the administration
is strong enough to prevent it. The
most interesting rumor is one that says
more than eighty members of the
House have entered into an agree
ment to filibuster continuously on
everything, except tariff bills, unless
he Committee on rules will report an
other rule setting date for the con
,ideraton Of the Band free coinage
Dill. Further than that such a request
las been made of the Committee, the
umor cannot be confirmed.
Superintendent of immigration Ow-
n, the Indiana eX-Congressman whom
Assistant Secretary Nettleton has ac-
used of being unfit for his place and
:areless, if not dishonest, in the hand.
ing of vouchers for Uncle Sans hard
ash, has endeavored to answer the
harges by throwing the blame for
that has gone wrong in his
'fiice on the clerks, and by charging
hat General Nettleton is trying, in
he interests of parties who opposed
he creation of the office OF Superin-
endent of immigration, and has been
rom the time he (Owen) took charge
# that Office, to throw obstacles in the
ath of its work and bring discredit
pon it. 1t is easy enough to believe
hat both of them are telling the truth,
epublican officials are such queer
ot. Mr. Harrison is willing, it is said,
0 sacrifice Owen, who is his personal
riend, and also Nettleton, if that
,ould settle the scandal; but he has
cen told by members Of both the