The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-06-09
WARRINGTON LETTER

President Cleveland enjoyed his
fishing trip immensely and returned to
the hard work which still lies before
him in tip-top condition. He presid-
ed over a special cabinet meeting to-
day, which was called to consider ways
and means for replenishing the gold
reserve fund, which has been en-
croached on to greater extent than
ever before, in order to meet the de-
mand for gold for export. No danger
is apprehended for the present, and it
was to discuss plans for the future
that the cabinet meeting was held.
1t is claimed by some, but not by
Treasury officials, that under the act
of March II, 1862, which good law
yers who have made careful exami-
nation say has never been repealed,
the Secretary of the Treasury is au-
thorized to issue legal tender notes for
the purchase Of gold "at such rates
and upon such terms as he may deem
most advantageous to the public inter-
ests." Secretary Carlisle thinks he
would have no difficulty in getting all
the gold needed in exchange for legal
tender notes if it were legal to issue
them but no final decision in the
matter is likely to be made until the
gold reserve in the Treasury shall have
been reduced to what Secretary Car
Isle considers dangerously low
amount, and that may never occur.
Having sent a trustworthy agent to
Hawaii to learn the sentiment Of the
Hawaiians, President Cleveland now
proposes to ascertain the sentiment of
our own people towards Hawaii before
fully making up his own mind, by
making public all of the reports made
by Commissioner and Minister Blount.
These reports will be published as
soon as they are completed, which will
probably be in few weeks.
The one question that is every
where discussed is that of pensions,
which seems to grow in importance.
AS might be expected there is any
quantity of fool talk on the subject,
and it is the exception to find a repub.
lican who will calmly discuss the mat
ter they seem to think that the argu.
ment is entirely closed when they
charge the administration with being
antagonistic to the Union veterans. A
striking exception is General H. V.
Boynton, whose radical republicanism
is widely known, and who earned his
title by bravery on the field of battle.
He handles the pension question with
out gloves, and among other striking
truths says: "While in its es-
sence, the pension question is non-
partisan, it is such an easy one to con-
jure with against the democrats that
the moment any one of this party un-
dertakes to correct the abuses which
every fair man sees and admits, a gen.
eral hue and cry is raised at once
that the democrats are at last wreak-
ing their spite and their vengeance on
the old soldiers. No one stops to
think that very large proportion OF
these old soldiers who went to war in
1861, when the question of pensions
was not in the remotest thought
Of any of them, were democrats. Even
democrats forget to make answer that
a great company Of the leading cap
tains Of the Union hosts-Grant, Sher.
man, Buell., Rosecrans, Thomas, Nc.
Clellan, Logan, Butler, Franklin, Sick,
les, Slocum-an unending column ol
such men and their followers-were
democrats. The reputation and hon
or of the G. A. r. are not at stake ir
this matter. By the action Of its high
est officers it has been committed tc
the remarkable proposition that grand
army posts shall not openly discuss
and uphold pension reform. 1t is idle
to make answer to this charge by
pleading technicalities. The G. A. R
now owes it to itself to support ;
searching examination Of the pension
rolls. And when the country is salts
fed that the roll is worthy one, ant
not until then, will the feeling pass
away that pension expenditure is ii
considerable part an unjust burden.
Comptroller Of currency Eckels il
determined that no national bank di
rector shall plead ignorance OF the law
as an excuse for having neglected hi'
duty. He has had a circular prepared
a COPY of which will be forwarded te
each director OF every national bank
containing the laws defining the duties
and obligations Of bank directors, and
penalties prescribed for neglect of du
ty. He says he wishes to impress up