The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1893-02-24
wAsHiNGTos LETTER.
(From Oui regular correspondent.


%AsHisGroN. Feb I3, 1898. Democrats
in congress are far from being pleased with
the financial outlook. The house ways and
means committee made favorable report
OF Representative Bynum's resolution
authorizing an investigation of the charge
publicly made that Secretary Foster has
made deal with certain New York bank
ers whereby he was TO exchange at par for
gold sc, ,0O0, 900 Of U S bonds. The fact
that New York bankers are seldom philan
thropists, and that they are known to be
furnishing the treasury with cold caused
many people to believe this charge; hence
the necessity for an investigation. The
public wants no secret juggling with the
finances Of the country. 1t is only fair TO
Secretary Foster and the present admins
tration to say that they deny the charge Of
issuing or having promised to issue bonds
for gold. Still it is believed by some that
Secretary Foster, who is now in New York,
is there to break up the deal, became of the
proposed investigation.
''Siiver week" In the house and senate
amounted to nothing more substantial than
to make its certain Tat no silver Iegisla-
ton would take place at the present session.
1t has been repeatedly stated hare within
the last ten days that President eject Cleye-
land had said he would call an immediate
extra session of the next congress If the
present failed to take some action that
would stop the purchase of silver by the
government. but now that congress has by
votes in both houses given notice Of ih
failure to take such action no one seems to
be certain that an early session will be
called, and there appears 10 be doubt in
the minds of quite a number Of democrats
as to whether Mr. Cleveland ever authorized
those statements.
III Mr. Harrison's influence be strong
enough to accomplish it the legislation
necessary 10 the annexation Of Hawaii il 10
be rushed through congress. Mr. Harrison
has decided to send q message to congress
recommending annexation and suggesting
the terms 10 be contained In the legislation.
To many this appears to be as kasty as was
the action Of Minister Stevens in establish
ing proteciorzte, and il Is certainly going
to be done with much less to excuse Il Il
Is assumed 10 be necessary fnr this govern
ment to endorse tie action Of Stevens. and
that being dome xhat occasion Is there for
hurTying annexation2 II is well known that
50 long as Hawaii is under The protection
OF The American flag no European govern
ment viii dare to interfere. There Is
great big nigger concealed somewhere in
this Hawaiian wood pile, and his feet will
be exposed IL there be no undue haste in
the matter.
The talk Of the republicans On the foorz
Of congress and in private on the pension
question is very different Privately they
admit that if something Is not done to
reduce them the payments will soon bank
rups the country. but On the Aoors of
congress they bitterly resis. every attempt
to reduce the amount paid The house
committee On appropriations after careful
confederation has recommended some
amendments to the general pension appro-
priation bills. now being considered by the
house. which would If they became laws
save So. .0o0. 900 year, but the republicans
are doing everything in thsir power to
prevent tie adoption Of these amendments.
One of the amendments provides for
transferring the pension bureau to the va
department and the detail Of army officers
to manage ii, which would remove it from
politics; others provide for suspension Of
pensions paid to widows who were not
married within FIVE years after the close Of
the war; to those having yearly income
Of 500 or more. and. except in cases of
total disability. to alien non residents.
The difficulty the Panama investigation
oommittee has had in getting witnesses to
testify has caused the suspicion to be gen
eral that influences are at work 10 prevent |
the truth being found out The COMMITTEES
has now gone 10 New York to see if any
thing can be got out of the bankers who
disbursed the money. Later they will go
to Indiana TO get ex-Secretary Thompson
statement of what be did TO earn his salary |
Of 81. 900 a year; alsowhat he knows about |
other money spent.