The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-02-03
WASHINGTON LETTER
WAsHINCToN, Jan. 80, 1898.

place. Therefore it was not sur
prising that his telegram of coincidence
should have been among the first re
ceived by the widow of James G..
Blaine, the American statesman. AL.
though differing widely in many of
their ideas there was one bond of
sympathy between them, one promin-
ent trait in the character of each of
them that the other cou d admire
without forgetting their political
difference, and that was the intense
Americanism, which was the keystone
Of MIR. Blalne's great popularity. and
which makes Grover Cleveland the
most popular living American, to-day.
And therein lies lesson that should
not be lost upon men ambitious of
popularity and power. There never
was period in the history of our
country when sturdy, uncompromising
Amercanism was more highly ap-
preciated by the masses than it is
now.
Mr.. Blanes funeral, which was
held to day at the Church OF the
Covenant, was by request Of his
family made as simple as possible.
'rhe pail bearers were all intimate
personal friends of the deceased and
the services at the church were con.
fined to the reading of the Presby-
terian burial ritual and prayer
by the pastor. With the exception of
an organ dirge before and after the
short services, played by Walter
Damrosch, the husband of one Of Mr..
Blaines daughters, there was no
music. Not one tenth of the people
who wanted to attend the funeral,
could get in the church. and very
large crowd remained outside during
the services and afterwards followed
the remains to Oak Hill cemetery
where the interment was made, Mr..
Blaine having requested that he be
buried there by the side of son Walker
who died suddenly several years ago.
There was much disappointment here
because the funeral was not public,
and at the Capitol. Congress ad-
journed from Saturday to two o'clock
this afternoon to give its members an
opportunity to attend the funeral, and
all Of the Government buildings were
closed to-day.
Unless there is great change in the
present opinion of the democratic
Senators nothing short of a cloture
rule. which the Senate refused to
adopt when the Force bill was under
consideration, will enable the re-
publicans to confirm the nomination
of the republican successor to the late
Justice Lamar, whom Mr. Harrison is
said to be determined to nominate.
The democratic Senators are
unanimous in the belief that this
vacancy should be filled by a demo
crat and they will not allow a vote to
be taken on the nomination of a re
publican unless compelled to do so
by cloture rule.
The House committee on Rules
has set aside February and 10 for
consideration of the Andrews bill fer
the repeal of the Sherman Silver law.
The general impression seems to be
that vote will not be reached, al
though number of the friends of the
bill express confidence in its being
passed.
If Postmaster General Wannamaker
holds the reception to the employees
of his department which was to have
been held at his residence tonight
the invitations to which were with
drawn on account Of the death Of Mr.
Blaine he will retire from office with
the personal illwill of nine -tenths of
the white employees of the depart
ment. The reason is not difficult to
locate. In sending out invitations
for the reception he included all of
the negro laborers, watchmen, mess
engers, and scrub women on the de-
partment pay roll, and the white clerks,
particularly the females, object to as
sociating on terms of social equality
with the negroes.
Considerable interest is felt as to
what position the administration will
take on the petition of the provision,
al Hawaiian government for annexa-
ton to the United States. What.
ever view Mr.. Harrison may take of
the matter it is hardly probably that
any action will be taken by the present
Congress.
The House Ways and Means COM
mlttee is putting in some hard work
studying and digesting the Treasury
statement furnished by Secretary
Foster last week, and Senator
Carlisle has taken a copy of it over to
President elect Cleveland.
Senator Carey has given notice of
two amendments to the House bill
for the admission of New Mexico;
Il 1 II