Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-10-12
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Van Allen Matter-The Elections
Billion Cameron's Stand, and
Other Capital Gossip.

to Governor Northern, of Georgia, is sale
to have driven back several Southern
Senators, who were about ready to vote
for repeal, but who now claim that as the
President gives no hope for silver legis
latiOn in the near future, that they dare
not vote for an act so directly opposed
by the vast majority of the citizens OF
their respective States. Yet, the Presi-
dents letter is perfectly consistent with
all his previous declarations on the sub
ject. 1t agrees exactly with his letter OF
thee years ago on the subject, when he
gave his opinions so frankly that friends
and enemies said he had killed himself
politically.
The Van Allen appointment is an un-
fortunate one. Mr.. Van Allen does not
seem to possess single qualification for
the position of Minister to Italy, and it
comes on good authority that the only
claim he has is his contribution to the
campaign fund of last fall. Ex-Secreta-
ry Whitney's letter denied any bargain,
and there is no question but his letter is
generally accepted as the truth. But
that does not dispose of the qualifications
of Mr.. Van Allen. 1t is still question
what the Senate will do with his nomina-
ton.
Mr.. Hornblower's nomination for Jus
tice of the Supreme Court has been very
favorably received. His ability is un-
questioned, and the only objection so far
noted, is that he is corporation lawyer.
Well, most New York lawyers are corpo
ration lawyers, and those that are not
would all like to be.
The bill to repeal the Federal Elections
laws has been on deck in the House for
some time. The Republican side has
not made a very active fight against it
for the reason it is said, that they prefer
not to arouse too bitter feelings just al
this time. The South is sliding out OF
the control of the Democrats, and they
brought up this bill at the present time in
order to arouse sectional feelings and
save their party in the South by the old
war cry. The Republicans seeing the
bill is bound to pass, decided to make no
bitter fight in the House, and to let the
Democrats do most of the talking. The
Republicans have made some able argu-
ments against repeal, but have not graft
fed the Southern members by any very
okf alyo of
made an able effort, and told some plain
facts concerning this bill. Mr.. Breckin-
ridge, of Kentucky, and Mr.. johnson
drifted into personalities little. 1t was
Mr.. Breckinridge's first speech on the
floor sill ce his lawsuit was filed against
him. He certainly showed no lack OF
nerve in the manner that he answered
Mr.. johnson. Mr.. Northway, of Ohio,
who represents the old 18th District, made
his maiden speech in the House on this
bill. 1t was an able effort and proved at
once to the House that the old district
which gave us Garfield and Taylor
has yet tirst-cIass material to send to
Congress. This debate is to close on the
10th, and then the vote will be taken. II
will pass the House, but whether it or
anything else will pass the Senate, is a
question. The administration is said to
be in favor of blocking everything, not
allowing bill of any kind to pass the
Senate until vote is taken on the repeal
of the Sherman act. If so, there may be
a long time ahead of us with no legisla
ton, or there may be change any day.
If the silver men can tie up bill as they
have, what is there to prevent the Repub
licans from holding up tariff bill, or any
other measure, if they so desire? We
shall see what we shall see.
The bankruptcy bill has been reported
to the House from the Judiciary Com
mittee with recommendation that it be
passed. Several changes are made from
the Torrey bill, but in the main it is the
same bill that has failed to pass for two
or three times. The Foreign Affairs
Committee has also reported the substi
tute for the Everett bill. 1t gives the
Cinnamon six months more to register
after the passage of the act. Mr.. Geary,
the author of the present law is dead set
against the new bill. He declares the
bill is clear back-down, and that this
action shows the Government does not
dare to live up to its own laws. The
Banking and Currency Committee is
the bill to repeal the 10 pei |
cent. tax on State banks very carefully. |
or at least they are giving it plenty OF |
time.
The denunciations that have been |
poured upon the head of Senator Dor
Cameron from the people and the press
of his own State, for his recent speech in
opposition to repeal, and in favor of free
silver, do not seem to annoy him in the
least. Cameron seems to think he has
made the effort of his life, and it may
be he knows what he is doing, but to q |
man up tree, it does look like grave
mistake if Don cares anything for his |
future. But the Senators from Pennsyl- |
vania are beyond comprehension any
way, for here is Mat Quay, who did 81
much to elect Harrison in 1888, now
ready to join the Southern Congressman
in voting for the repeal of the tax on
State banks. Quay will vote for the re
peal act, though.
The scene in the Senate the other day
between Wolcott, Aldrick and German |
was very interesting one. It drew
crowd at once from the other end of the
Capitol. Wolcott made the broad accu-
sstion that Aldrich and German Che men
toned no names, but his words wert
such that all knew whom he meant), vert |
engaged in an attempt to force vote in |
the Senate, or at least do something that
might bring about vote. This was
something beyond the bounds of propri-