The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-06-02
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1898.
WASHINGTON LETTER
WASHINGTON, May, 90 1893.

ing republicans retained In office ?
That is a question that has puzzled
the President, the members Of the
cabinet and the heads of the import
ant bureaus of the Government, and
also at times very much embarrassed
them. For instance, democratic
Senator or Representative goes to the
head Of department or bureau and
asks that republican chief Of di-
vision be asked to resign and one Of
his constituents, a democrat, be ap.
pointed to the place. He is confront
ed with letter from democratic
Senator or Representative, sometimes
with letters from several of each, in
sisting and in some instances actually
demanding that the republican chief
be kept in Office. You may imagine
the embarrassment that follows. If
this practice is kept up some sensa
tional disclosures may be made when
Congress meets, by those democrats
who believe that positions as impor-
tant as chiefs of divisions ought to be
held by democrats, if democratic ideas
of economy and reform are to be
thoroughly carried out in the work of
the Government in all its branches.
They claim that democratic Senators
and Representatives have no right to
allow personal friendships for republi-
can officials, which is supposed to be
the reason for their endorsement, to
stand in the way of filling the impor-
tant Offices with democrats, to say
nothing of the bad effect the retention
of these republicans will have on the
working democrats who have applied
for these places, believing themselves
entitled to them. These make no
complaint when place they are after
is given to another democrat, but they
do not like to see republicans retained
in the places they think ought to be
filled by democrats.
Is man who is able to earn liv.
ing at manual labor and who suffers
from no wound or disability incurred
while in actual service entitled to a
pension from the Government Sec.
Hoke Smith has decided by repeating
a ruling of TIE last administration as
to the construction that the Pension
Office shall put upon the disability
not of service origin" clause of the
pension act of 1890, that he is not,
and common sense would seem to be
on the Secretary's side. In future no
man will be granted a pension under
that law unless he establishes The fact
that he is unable by reason of his disa-
bllity to earn a support by manual
labor. There will, of course, be a
concerted howl from the pension
sharps over this ruling because it will
reduce the pension payments some
thing like $2o, 700, 900 a year. and
their fees in a corresponding ratio
but the tax payers will not object to
this saving, particularly when it is
made without depriving any old sold
Ter who is unable to earn living be-
cause of his disability of a pension.
Senator Vorhees, who has just re-
turned from his constituents, says
there is no complaint among the dem.
ocrats of Indiana because Of the slow
ness Of President Cleveland in making
appointments that they are perfectly
satisfied that he is doing his full duty
in wise and patriotic manner, recog-
nizing the fact that there are other
things requiring his attention besides
patronage.
Sec. Lamont, Attorney General
Olney, and P. NJ. G. Bissell left
Washington on flying visits to their
respective homes on Saturday, but
they will all be back at their desks
early this week.
The trial of Prof. Briggs for heresy,
which is now going on before the
General Assembly of the Presbyterian
church, in session here, is attracting
the greatest public interest. It seems
to be generally believed that he will
be found guilty, but there is much
doubt as to the punishment the as
sembly will decide to inhict upon
him.
Ambassador Bayard has received
his last instructions from Sec. Gres
ham and he will start from New York
next Saturday for London.
Among the new democratic official,
who will assume their duties this week
are Solicitor General Maxwell, U. S
Treasurer Morgan, and COMMISSIONS
of Customs Pugh.
The demand for gold for expor
has again brought the gold reserve
fund several millions below the $Ioo.
10000 line, but Sec. Carlisle is Sc
rene and says he sees not the slightes
indication of any financial breakers
ahead, at least not for the immediate
future.