The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-02-19
Washington letter.

WAsHINGroN. ID. c. Jan. 9Th, 1902.
Mr. Harrison i far from being rs happy
as nc expected to be after Mr.. BlaIne's
letter was published, if those who profess
10 be his friends know the state OF ms
mind, He expected that Mr.. Blaine
would take occasion in that letter To adj
yocats the nomination of Benz. H, or
at least 10 say good word for him in
some way, and he has got it into his
head that Mr. Blaine by ignoring him
intended to Slight him-he Is very
touchy about the dignity which he APP
pears to think surrounds his person like
a halo. Another thing that he doesn't
like is the freedom with which Senators,
Representatives, and other prominent
men of his party have announced their
preference for some other candidate than
himself He fears that Mr. Blaine in
tends IL throw his influence to that
mysterious some other candidate. and
he is mighty sorry that there was no
truth in the rnmor prevalent day or
two ago that Mr.. Blaine intended resign
ing and going to Bermuda to remain
until after the meeting of the Republi-
can convention. Nothing would suit
him better just now than for Mr.. Blaine
to leave the country for few months
but he does not dare to ask Tor his
resignation.
The Democrats Of the House nave Ia
ken the first step toward turning the
light on in dark places 10y the adoption
of resolutions authorizing Investigations
of the WOTld'S Fair, the crooked Nation
al bank failures at Philadelphia, and
most important of all, the Pension of
ice. The resolution under which the
last investigation Is to be made was re
ported by the Committee on Rules as a
substitute for those offered 10y Represent
atives EnlOe and Cooper. 1t provides for
the appointment of Il select committee of
five to investigate the metlOdS of busi
ness, whether use has been made 10y the
Commissioner of his official position 10
promote his private affairs or for partI-
san political purposes, whether there has
been discrimination made between ap-
picants for pensions or practising at
tOrneyS, whether any Of the clerks have
taken advantage of their positions to
make profits. and whether the civil ser
vice law has been violated by the Com
missioner. On motion of Mr.. EnlOe the
resolution was amended to include the
methods Of the board of pension appeals
This is a big job. but many are wonder
ing why the resolution did not include
The charges which have been repeatedly
made by responsible parties Of fraudu
lent pensioners whose names are carried
upon rolls. Perhaps. however the com
mittee may be able to reach that under
the methods OF business authoriH-
ton.
Y
learning the ropes. \ nephew of his !
w. NJ. Grinnell, has been nominated for |
the vacant Third Assistant SecretaTyShip !
of State
The House Committee on Rivers and |
HarborS having given a number of hear I
lngs 10 interested parties, has now buck /
led down to the hard work of preparing |
a river and harbOr appropriation bill |
that shall toe just without being cXtrav
agant. The bill will not probably APP |
proprlate more than half. if 80 much, a.
the one passed at the last Congress. but |
1t Is the aim Of the committee to pro /
vide all the money for necessary i'm
prOvemcnts thut can bc advantagcosuly /
expended during til" next fiscal year.
The House committee on Immigration
does not agree with the Senate commit
tee on Foreign Affairs, that continual
ton of the present anti Chinese laws, |
which expire by limitation this Spring !
for another period of ten years, Is the
best thing to be done, so it has favOra-
bly, reported bill to the House which |
absolutely prohibits Chinese immigra-
ton.
The much talked Of free coinage bill !
has been favorably reported to the House
from the coinage committee Opinion
differs as to whether it will be acted
upOn at this session. There l. no doubt /
about a very large majority Of the House
being III favor of the free coinage of sill
Yer, but there are many prominent Dem
OcratS, like Mr.. Mills, who do not think !
1t eNpedient TO pass ii when nothing can
be gained aS it Is certain, even if it could |
get through the Senate, the finance com
mlttee of which has this week reported |
adversely on a free coinage bill, that it
would toe vetoed. There are other Dem
ocratS, like Mr. Bland, who think it the
duty of the House to pass the bill
There are lots of rumors Cf rumpus
between Mr.. Harrison and Secretary
Tracy over the latterin preparing for the
war "that never came" Wanamaker *
also said to be in hot water although he
denies il.
The Canadian Commissioners are 90
ing through the farce of holding confer
ences at the State department, knowing
that there Is no reciprocity for them
".