The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1893-04-07
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, APRIL 3, 1898.

Scandals involving the Off: ials of the late
republican administration are coming to the
surface with alarming frequency these days.
One that is almost embarrassing because OF
the nearness of those concerned therein to ex :
President Harrison, is that unearthcd by Sec
retaries Gresham and Carlisle, relating to the
manner in which ex-Secretary Of State Fos-
ter, is squandering the governments money
upon lot of favorites. all on government pay
rolls, that he has taken on junketing trip to
Paris, ostensibly to aid him in the Behring
Sea arbitration. As specimens of this pleas
ure party these two will suffice, giving fair
idea of the whole business: Major Halford
was made paymaster in the army at a salary
of S., 800 year as reward for his services as
Mr.. Harrison's private Secretary, and was Or
del ed to Paris to remain during the arbitra
ton, although no one could see the necessity
for an army paymaster there. Mr.. Foster,
who is U. S. agent at a compensation named
bv himself while Secretary Of State, wiste
the Major to have good time so he ordered
that he should be allowed from the State de-
partment funds Sis, a day for expenses. j..
Stanley Brown, who Was Galfl Ids private
secretary, draws $40, day as regular en-
ployee of the State department., but having or
dered him to Paris Mr.. Foster directed that
he, also, should receive SIS, day for expen-
ses, in addition to his regular salary. There
are number of others treated equally liberal
lv Another scandal exists in the weather blu
reau and Secretary Morton is now lnve 5tica-
ting charges of general cussedness against
some of its most prominent officials that are
almost certain to result in a number of dis
missals. According to these charges the crook
edness began from the time the bureau was
transfer red to the department of Agriculture,
and never stopped
Of hn
reached the republicans holding federal offices
in Kansas are safe to enjoy their snaps for
some time to come, as President Cleveland
has directed that no appointments be made in
that state until it can be satisfactorily arrang-
ed whether the fusionsts or the straight-outs
are to be given control, or division made be-
tween them. While Mr.. Cleveland wants to
do the square thing by both sides it is an open
secret that his personal feelings are all OF the
side of the stralght-outs.
No time is being wasted by fourth assistant
Postmaster General Maxwell. The task OF
putting democrats in charge of all the fourth
class post offices is gigantic, but it will in
time be accomplished. The average of new
uemocratic appointments is already well over
one hundred day, the highest number yet
appointed IN single day by Mr.. Maxwell be-
ing 1SS.
The administration and democrats general
ly are delighted with the March statement of
the condition of the Treasury. 1t was, of
course, known before hand that the payments
for the month would necessarily be unusually
large, but it was not known, or even guessed
at BY ex Secretary Foster that the March re-
ceipts would be some millions in excess OF his
estimates. As result, instead OF the hole
in the available cash anticipat ed on account of
the big March payments 81, 100000, was added
to the surplus, and the free gold, now near the
$4,000, 900 mark, continues 10 accumulate.
Seci etary Carlisle has received many congrat-
ulations upon his first months showing, which
but tends TO confirm the general belief that he
would make a successful Secretary OF the
Treasury.
Mr.. Ellery Anderson, of New York, cred
tied with being the principal author of the tar
if bill recently made public by the Reform
Club, of that city, is in Washington. He says:
"The Reform Club, which has played such
prominent part in the present situation, has
promulgated its tariff reform bill, not with the
understanding that it is to be accepted, but
mainly for the healthy and widespread dis
cussion which will follow"
The silly fight which has been made on Mr..
John E. Risley, the minister to Denma k, has
had 10 effect here, as Mr.. Rlsley has received
his commission and taken the oath OF Office.
He will probably receive his final Instructions
this week, and rlmor says portion of them
will be to open negotiations for the purchase
of Naval station on the island of 81. Thsm-
as, West Indies, from the Danish government
/ President Cleveland told Senator Roach, of
North Dakota, that no faction OF the putty in
any state will receive recognition to the dis
elimination of another faction. but that ability
and character of the applicant will decide al
appointments, BY the way, speaking of SeDa-
tor Roach the impression seems to be general
that nothing more will be heard in the Senate
of Mr.. Hoars resolution to investigate news
paper charges against Mr.. Roach.