Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-10-02
FREELAND, PA, OCTOBER ., 1SG
WASHINGTON LETTER.


Senators Voorhees,, German and Pal
mer, at different times this week took
occasion to defend President Cleveland
from the newspaper charge, which Sena-
tor Stewart mistakenly dignitied by
reading in the senate, of attempting by
the use of patronage to control the
legislative branch of the government.
OF course everybody in Washington
knows as well as these three senators do
that President Cleveland needs no
defense, but there may be people else
where who are liable to be misled by
constant reiteration of the charge
When Senator Palmer told Senator
Stewart that if he would name one sena-
tor who had been controlled by the
president through patronage he would
gladly join him in getting a resolution
passed providing for an investigation,
Senator Stewart did not name a senator.
Why? Simply because he knew of
none. Senator Gorman's few remarks
on the subject covered the case fully.
He said: II am not the mouthpiece of
the president. His patronage l know
nothing of or care nothing for. !
neither have it nor want it. No presi-
dent has ever been so careful to avoid
the appearance of distributing patronage
for his own ends. He has scarcely done
his party justice"
Everybody has heard of that fire.
quently mentioned senatorial
courtesy, but with all due respect to
the eminent and dignifed gentlemen
who compose the United States Senate
1t must be said that senatorial dis
courtesy" more truly applies to the
numerous "tfs" between senators which
have been such feature of the debate
this week. Space forbids their enumera-
tion, but one specimen will give general
idea of all of them. Senator Wolcott
referred to Senators German and Aid
rich as steerers of the senators who favor
the Voorhees, repeal bill, and told of
their having decided to begin next week
holding twelve-hour sessions of the
senate. Senator German in reply said:
This is the first time that have ever
known senator or his agents to listen
at the committee room doors to tell the
senate of the private conferences of
senators on any subject whatever"
The ultimate fate of the Voorhees, bill
is still very much in doubt. Cloture is
two-edged weapon, and although its
present adoption would be of great bene-
fit to the Democratic party it is not prob
able that Senator Platts resolution will
even be reported back from the commit
tee on rules, to which it was referred,
and without cloture there is small prob
ability that the bill will ever be voted
upon without the consent of its oppo-
nents. Can that consent be obtained?
That is question that only the future
can answer, but senators have confidence
that it will be obtained through move
ment now on foot among Democratic
senators who favor the bill. This move
ihOiio SOhbOhiPitttCo 6CtJlhb Jut consent
of the opponents of the bill to the taking
of vote in exchange for the promise of
enough votes to make the passage of a
silver bill, something on the order of
Senator Faulkner's proposed amend
ment to the Voorhees, bill, a certainty
Immediately after the Voorhees, bill is
passed.
The sensational statements concerning
the nomination of Mr.. ]. ]. Van Allen
to be ambassador to Italy will doubtless
be investigated by the senate committee
on foreign relations before his nomina-
ton is acted upon. No one belives that
either President Cleveland or ex-Secre-
tary Whitney was party to any promise
made to give Mr.. Van Allen this position
because of his having made large cam
paign contribution, and an investigation
will probably show that no such promise
was made by ANYBODY, S.