Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1893-03-23
wAsHINGToNSLETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent

| the financial outlook, but such is not
the case. Every Democratic member
of the house committee on ways and
means signed the alarming majority
report, made public last week, of the
result of the investigation made by
that committee into the present and
prospective condition of the treasury,
This report states the belief ofits sign
ers to be that a deficit of between
$50, 900, 900 and S40,OOO,OOO will ex-
Ist on July 1st, 1894. There are rea-
sons for the belief that the principal
object of this exaggerated report is to
prepare thepublic for the $50, 100000
issue OF bonds believed to be contem-
plated by the new administration.
The Republicans of the committee
presented a minority report, very con-
servative in it's nature, which entities
them to the gratitude of every we'll
wisher of the country. 1t calls atten-
ton to the figures of the secretary OF
the treasury, which accompany the
report, and says the conclusions ofthe
majority seem wholly unwarranted
and misleading, and concludes with
these sensible words: "In fact there
seems to be an utter lack of evidence
to justify any of the criticisms of the
majority upon the statement OF the
secretary, which shows surplus in the
treasury on June 80, 1894. On the
basis of the statement of the secretary
OF the treasury it would seem that the
amount of either surplus or deficiency
in the treasury on June 80, 1894,
would be very small"
Ex-Secretary Rusk, who is consid-
cred personal friend by every men,
Der OF the department of agriculture,
was this week given a lasting testi-
monial of their friendship for him in
the shape OF handsome silver tea
service. The employees called in body
at "Uncle Jerry's" residence to make
the presentation, which was a great
surprise.
The former members of Gen. Harri-
sons cabinet are fully entitled to the
short period of rest and recreation
which each of them has mapped out
for himself before again taking up his
private business. Every one of them
has worked hard and everyone of them
retires from office with the respect and
good will of their political opponents,
as well as that of their political asso-
| ciates. In fact there never was a
change of administration in which the
kindly personal feeling of the incom-
| ing officials was more remarkably
shown to their retiring predecessors.
There appearss.o he a good natured
rivalry among the new officials to see
which of them can say the kindest
things OF the old officials.
Every man is liable at some time to
change his political opinions, but the
man who changes after the battle,
from the losing to the victorious party,
necessarily places himself under suspi-
cion. There are a good many of this
sort around Washington now.
Mr.. Cleveland has not been in office
a week yet, but he has shown the
office-seeking brigade that he intends
to take his own time in making ap-
pointments, and considerable num-
Der of them have taken the hint, filed
their papers and gone home, to wait
as patiently as they may for the off,
ces that may never come. 1t was
given out early this week that Mr.
Cleveland had determined to allow
the federal officials, such as marstials
court officials and presidential post.
masters, who are appointed for -four
year term to serve out their time be
fore appointing their successors, a
rule which was first established by
President Hayes, and which has beer
generally followed since his admins
tration. If this rule be strictly fol
lowed the new government printer viii
not be appointed until late in April
meanwhile candidates for that very
desirable position are increasing daily
l might almost say hourly. Another
determination which Mr.. Cleveland il
said to have come to has caused lonl
, faces among the walters. That is, that
. he will not reappoint any OF the mel
who want to get the same places they
held during his first administration
unless 1t be some man possessed o
special qualifications for filling SOM
I particular position; if there be an,
such the general public do not know
it.
The Democrats having a clear ma
jority in the senate and no need TO
, the votes of the populists have alread,
1 snubbed those assistant Democrats
/ with the exception of Martin, OF Kan
j sas, who having been made senate
by boss German, is considered as
] Democrat to be taken care Of The,
3 are having a regular monkey and par
I rot time over the reorganization o
{ the senate, several stormy caucuse
r having already been held.
: Mr. Cleveland has given no sign G
D how he stands on the question of Ha
e waiian annexation, and all the mem
e bers of his cabinet are reticent on tn
D subject.
{ Senator Allison, who was chairma
D OF the committee on appropriations
u has made a statement showing tn
+ amount appropriated by the two las
e congresses. The totals are, Eifty-fir
o congress S9SS, All, ,1S3; Fifty-secon
/. congress 81, ,O26, 1922, ,O49.