The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-06-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, June "a, 1885,


Such were the startling words of
big republican who was prominent
Harrison worker at the Minneapolis
convention. The Harrison people are
just beginning to realize how great a
blunder Reid's nomination was, and
they also have strong suspicion that
they are the victims of a put up job.
that the nti-Harrison men who it will
be remembered controlled the New
York delegation, prepared the whole
scheme in advance so as to make Harri-
sons defeat certain before the people,
if they failed to accomplish it before
the convention. In proof of this they
point to the fact that comttee from
the New York typographical union was
in Minneapolis to vouch for Reds
having turned his newspaper office over
to union men, statement,b by the way,
that was misleading, inasmuch as no
change had at that time been either
made or fully agreed upon. Now, it
cost money to send a committee from
New York to Minneapolis, and the
Harrison folks want to know who sent
those printers and who paid their bills
out there, and if the Reid business was
not prepared in advance, why they
were sent there at all. These are awk-
ward questions to answer.
1t was to talk about this, as much as
about the Cabinet and other vacan-
cies, that Chauncey Depew was sent
for. 1t was not believed that he knew
anything about the inside working of
the Reid scheme, it being thought that
he was imposed on at the time; but
his knowledge Of New York politics
is relied upon to aid in getting to the
bottom of the matter. Reports have
already come IN from all sections stat
ing that members of labor organi-
cations will not support any ticket with
Whitelaw Reid's name on it; they re
fuse to vote for man who for fifteen
years has been one of the most per
sistant and powerful enemies of organi-
zed labor in this country. Friends of
General Grant have also been numer-
ously heard from;they too refuse to sup
port the ticket if Reid remains upon it.
These things have alarmed Mr..
Harrison and his managers, and they
have started movement to get rid o'
Reid. They hope to make the pres
sure SO strong upon him that instead
of writing the usual letter of accep
tance Reid will decline, on the plea oi
important aud complicated personal
business requiring all his attention, oil
or any other plea that may suggest it
self to him; the important thing being
that he decline the nomination.
The scorching report adoped by
a majority Of the House committee or
reform in the Civil Service, which in
vestlgated the charges made by Teddy
Roosevelt of violation of law by Fed
eral officials in Baltimore, is not cal
culated to add to Mr.. Wanamaker's S
comfort during this warm weather, al
though TEDDY" Roosevelt probably
enjoys it greatly, as it is complete
vindication of the truth of his report
1t charges Mr.. Wanamaker with being
either entirely ignorant of the terms o.
the law, or determined that this part
icular violation of it should not bt
punished, and says that the dismissal'
recommended by the Civil Service
Commissioners should have been made
After looking over the calendar anc
seeing that all OF the Appropriation
bills, except the general deficiency
had been passed, and that the House
was long way ahead of the Senate
the democratic Representatives con
cluded that as nearly all of them wish
ed to 20 to Chicago to help nominate
the next President and vice President
it might be a good scheme to give the
Senate chance to catch up. So The
House adjourned from Saturday to
Wednesday, and on "Wednesday i,
will adjourn until Saturday.
Today it is difficult to find demo
cratic Representative. They are al
at Chicago, and a goodly number o.
Senators are keeping them company
Predictions as to the result are now ou'
of order the result itself is too near tc
bother with guessing about 1t. 1t al
ways makes fellow feel bad, too, il
he guesses wrong.
Chauncey Depew has, if republican
officials are to be believed, put Mr..
Harrison in rather awkward predlca
ment. Mr.. Harrison thought to tickle
Chauncey and attach him permanently
to the Harrison camp by rendering
him the vacant Secretaryship of State
having ben informed that Depew's
business arrangement with the Wand
orbits were such that he could not
possibly accept. What was his sur
prise, therefore, when Depew took
lunch at the White House and the
offer was made him, to be informed
that ne wanted little time to consld-
er the matter, instead Of getting the
positive declination that was expected
I tl,.. 4