Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1893-01-26
From our regular Correspondent.l
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. Is. 1898.

| WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. l6, 1898.
| The President has almost, but not quite
made up his mind that he possesses the
authority, without further Congressional
legislation. to withdraw the privileges now
enjoyed by the Canadian Pacific Railroad.
! The matter has been discussed at several
Cabinet meetings, aud If the President
finally concludes that Congressional action
is unnecessary he will make no recon-
mendation 10 his message which he will
send to Congress with the Information
| concerning this matter which has been
! gathered by the executive department of
| the government, but will at about the same
time issue an ordcr-possibly proclama-
I tiUn-withdrawing certain privileges,
among them the carrying of imported mer
chandise through the United States under
consular seals, which puts large sum of
money in the pockets of the Canadian Pa
/ cifc Railroad people without any cores
| pending benefit to this country or its citi-
| zens
Representative Burrows of Michigan,
thinks there is something in the charges
which have from time to time been made
against the whiskey trust. of defrauding
the government out of large sums of mon
ey by the use Of poisonous drugs as adul-
terants, and of violating the laws In other
ways, and he has introduced resolution
in the House providing for an investiga-
tion of the charges by a special committee
Of hve the same committee also to ascel-
tain and report the names of all persons
connected with the trust. 1t is believed
that If this resolution be adopted and the
investigation be thoroughly made it will
uncover great scandal, involving many
men Of prominence, not only 10 public but
also in private life, including more than
one man Of high scientific attainments.
Many members of Congress are kicking
themselves for having been so gullible as
to swallow that silly story about Senator
Hill ard boss Croker having Quarreled,
and Murphy, Croker and Tammany having
decided to desert Hill and cast their lots
in with Cleveland. Truly it was a story
for the political marines. and was un-
doubtedly given out with the full consent
of Hill and Croker. The object aimed at
WAS In plain view of those with eyes pierre
ing enough to see through the haZy veil
OF mist which usually surrounds the politl-
cal movements OF the Democrats named.
Having had its own way in the nomination
OF L. S. Senator, greatly to the humilia-
ton Of one, G. Cleveland, who. IL should
not be forgotten, will soon have the dis
tribution Of many offices, Tammany con
cluded that 1t would be great idea 10 pre-
tend that it had quarreled with Hill, the
maker Of Murphy. 1t would soothe the
wounded dignity of Mr.. Cleveland, and
ante election promises made to Tammany,
and would not hurt either Hill or Tammany.
1t may be set down as certain that when
ever Hill chooses to make fight Of any
Senate, the vote Of Murphy win be at his
| Disposal.
The slowness with which the regular
Appropriation bills are being reported to
the House makes many believe that chair
man Holman OF the House Appropriation
committee, was In earnest when he said
the other day that unless certain legisla-
tion-presumabv the free coinage Of sill
ver-was passed at this session he would
feel justified in forcing an early extra ses-
sion of the next Congress by causing the
failure Of some of the Appropriation bills.
II would however be very dangerous
precedent for a chairman OF the House
committee on Appropriations to deliber-
ately delay Appropriation bills TO force an
extra session.
Mr.. Cleveland is a shrewder politician
than many people are disposed 10 believe.
An evidence of this WAS given when be
sent trusted personal friend to sound
Senator Morgan of Alabama, to ascertain
whether he would accept the portfolio of
the Secretary of State. Now, Senator Nor
gan Is. and was all during Mr.. Cleveland's
first administration, an outspoken oppo-
nent Of number Of Mr.. Cleveland's ideas,
particularly those on finance. At the same
time he is one Of the best posted Demo
Gratis in public life on our foreign rela-
tions, and is as vigorous in his American
ism as the most ardent Republican would
ask that the Secretary of State should be.
III Mr.. Cleveland could get him to become
his Secretary of State he would at one and
the same time secure an able and capable
adviser on foreign matters and remove
! dangerous Democratic o. ponent from the
Senate. There is q doubt, however, as to
whether Mr. Morgan would be willing to
associate himself with the Cleveland admin.
istration, although the honor of being
Secretary of State is not one to be lightly
refused.
All things come to an end, even the de-
bate on the anti-option bill, which is to
be voted on Wednesday. 1t will of course
be passed.