Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1893-03-02
From our regular Correspondent
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, d

WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. 20, 1898.
The President is as proud of the legis-
lation which placed the finest ocean steam
ships in the world under the American
flag as Of any single accomplishment Of
his administration, and 1t Is his intention,
unless something occurs to prevent, to go
over to New York on the 22nd-itting day
for such deed-in order to raise with his
own hands the stars and stripes over the
magnificent steamship New York. The
President expects to be accompanied from
Washington by his entire cabinet and
can get away and other officials. The U.
S. cruiser Chicago, now In New York har-
Dor, will fire the national salute Of twenty
one guns, as "old glory" reaches the mast
head of the New York.
The treaty for the annexation of Hawaii,
which was sent to the Senate last week.
has been fsvorably reported from the COM
mittee on Foreign Relations, and although
there is some opposition in both parties it
is regarded as certainty that more than
the necessary two-thirds will vote for its
ratification.
Both the President and Secretary Foster
have become convinced that the recent and
continued demand for gold is largely arti-
fetal, manufactured for the express pur-
q -
and for that reason they have both arrived
at the conclusion that no bonds shall be
issued during this administration.
Senator Sherman's amendment has been
adopted by the Senate, authorizing the Sec.
of the Treasury to issue $50 900 900, in 3
per cent. i've year bonds whenever in his
discretion it becomes necessary to keep up
the Treasury gold reserve. The bonds
could be issued under present laws, but
they would have to bear per cent. interest
AMI to run for long PERIOD hence this
amendment.
The Democrats in the House tried to
criFyl" The federal supervision of Congress
sional elections by attaching an amend
meut 10 the Sundry Civil Appropriation
bill, prohibiting the payment Of any ex-
pense- incurred by prosecution under the
laws relating to the election of members
of Congress. The Senate promptly struck
out the amendment as soon a. the bill was
taken up. The gentlemen who are so
anxious 10 put a stop TO federal super
vision of elections will have to wait until
the next Congress gets together, this Sen
ate viii not sanction any Of their schemes,
no matter how cleverly they may be dis
guised
The Pension laws will not be turned up
: down at this session Of Congress, a.
though there was a strong effort towards
that eud made by the anti-soldier Democrats
resulting in three minute free fight on
the floor of the House,
1t is significant that Repre- sentative
Compton, Of Maryland, who Is probably
closer to Senator German politically than
any man living, should be the most out
spoken man in Congress against the Sc
lections already made for the cabinet. A Re
publican friend, joking Compton, said to
him; III YOU keep up your criticism you
will fnd no place At the patronage trough.
II don't care" said Mr. Compton, Il am
too old to change the habit Of saying just
what think Of public mems acts do not
approve the appointment Of Gresham and
Hoke Smith, and have no hesitation In
saying so. While 1t might disappoint
few of my constituents it would relieve me
of great deal Of bother should all federal
patronage be denied to me under the new
administration.
Here i one reason for Judge Greshams
having voted the Democratic ticket: Just
before Justice Brown was appointed to the
L 5. Supreme Court a delegation of Chi
cago lawyers came to Washington to urge
the President TO nominate Judge Gresham
to the vacancy they told him how mag
nanimous such nomination would be and
gave him to understand that they were
here with Judge Gresham's knowledge and
consent. The President heard all they had
to say and then told them there were two
reasons, either sufficient, why he would
not nominate Judge Gresham. First, the
appointment did not belong to the section
in which Judge Gresham lived; second, he
would not put himself in the position to
give people the right TO say that he had
used one of the highest appointments in
his gift to placate personal enemy. 1t
was this refusal that determined Judge
Gresham to withdraw from the Republi-
can party. How he coquetted with the
populst Presidential nomination and f.
nally announced his intention to vote the
Democratic ticket are known to all news
paper readers.
Democrats regard Mr.. Clevelands cab
met as so far announced as being more
personal than political in its makeup, and
indicating that it is Mr.. Cleveland and not
the ID IN )cratic party who is In control.
Judge JacKson's nomination to the Sup
rene Court was confirmed without the
e, ,f hair