Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-04-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Written and compiled for the HERAI

Written ana compiled for the HERALD.
WASHINGTON, April "a, 1S93.-What
isn't knewn about the manner in which
the finances OF the United States are
managed would make big book, while
what is known, if it be fair to judge by
newspaper publications, could be put in q
| fraction of column. The idea seems to
be general that the Secretary of the
Treasury In sort of Gear and that nc
appeal can be taken from his decisions
concerning the use OF money belonging tC
the government. Nothing could be further
from the actual condition of things
while he Is necessarily given some dis
erection as to what may be done in certain
directions his actions are restricted by
law to q greater extent THAI perhaps
those Of any ether member of the cabinet
and the things about which be may use
his discretion are fewer than those which
a cashier of a well Differed bank may do
and even In those he must have the Presi
dents consent. The danger that can be
done by a Secretary of the Treasury lies
not in what be does, for he can do nothing
that 10 not authorized by law, but in what
he does not do. He may, either through
ignorance or bad judgment, or upon bad
advice leave undsne things which he il
authorized by law to do, but not in
specific words compelled to do, and there
BY bring trouble. A case in point was
when the gold reserve fund reached the
limit which has been established by Gus
tom, not law, of $1O0 100000. This gold
was accumulated by the Treasury under
the specie resumption act, to redeem such
legal tender notes as might be presented,
and ever since the Treasury notes, which
state on their face that they are redeem
able ia "coin," have been issued they also
have been redeemed in gold upon prssen-
tation, although there was no law giving
their holders the right to demand gold
for them. At a cabinet meeting Sec
Carlisle proposed that ne moro Treasury
notes be redeemed in gold, and he YVES
supported by Sec. Gresham and Attorney
General OlHey, but was overruled by
President Cleveland, and gold was still
paid cut for them, although the reserve
fund had to be used to do it. Either
policy would have been lawful; it wa'
simply question of discretion and the
Secretary had to give way to the President
The reserve fund is again intact and there
is gold enough on hand in addition thereto
TO meet all immediate demands an there
are promises of more from Western and
and Southern bankers.
The investigation of the condition OF
the four NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., New Mexico
Oklahoma and Utah-now seeking ad-
| mission to the Union as states, which the
Senate committee on Territories was d.
rected to make, will be made by sub
COMMITTEES, which will leave Chicago
about June 10 aud give about a month to
the work, which includes visits to promi-
nent points in each of the territories
named.
The fnal and positive refusal of the
Austrian government to receive Max
Judd, q native Of Austria, as U. S. Con-
sul General at Vienna, is ne reflection
upon Mr.. Judd, nsr upon Mr.. Cleveland
for having appointed him, but it adds
another argument, and a strong one, toe,
to those advanced by many conservative
people. against the sending of native of
any foreign country to that country as 40
official representative. in any capacity, of
the United States. 1t is perfectly natural
that any foreign born American citizen
should cherish an ambition TO return to
bis native country az an accredited agent
of the country of his adoption, but ex-
psrisnce has proven that such appoint
ments are oftener embarrassing to this
government than otherwise.
The recent decision of Judge Kicks at
Toledo, Involving the rights of labsr
organizations, is to be brought before the
US. Supreme Court on a writ of habeas
corpus for the release of engineer Lennon,
who was sentenced to prison under that
decision. The labor organizations will
be ropreseDt ted by Mr.. E. w. Harper, of
Terre Hsuts, Ind. counsel for the Brother
hood of Locomotive Engineers, and ex-
Congressman Frank Hurd, of Ohio. The
arguments will be made if possible, and
1t is hoped the decision handed down, this
week. The point is to get a decision
from the Supreme Court in order that
Congress may at it's next session amend
the law. if necessary TO protect the rights
Of eysrybsdy concerned.
Politics will now take back seat for |
a few days, IN order to give the Column
bus Celebration chance. This celsbra-
ton which will only end with the close
Of the Worlds Fair, began last week with
the assembling in Hampton Roads of the
war vessels that are to take part in the
Naval Review in New York
harbor this week. In connection there
With the present Christopher Columbus,
otherwise and more generally known as
The Duke OF Versgul, is in Washington
With his wife and daughter, as official
.uests OF the United States. Today the
Duke aud his party were formally receiv-
d by President and Mrs. Cleveland, and
N Wednesday they will 90 to New York
nth President Cleveland and bis cabinet,
There they will enjoy the honor of being
he only foreigners aboard OF the U. 8.
!. Dolphin, on which the President and {
abInt will perform their part OF official
- L.