Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1894-03-22
Washington Letter

WARRINGTON. d. c.. March 10, 1894,
"Cleveland luck" was an expression
much used in Washington between 1884
and 1883, whenever somebody seemed
to have everything 60 their way. 1t
isn't much used now, and when it is
the meaning is exactly the reverse of
what 1t was, as it cannot be disputed
that "Cleveland luck" during the last
twelve months has been decidedly
undesirable thing to haye. 1t is
doubtful whether any other President
was ever within single year placed In
20 many unpleasant predicamepts. The
reason - largely a matter Of opinion
with which your correspondent has
nothing to do, but the predlcaments
are facts Of record, known to all men.
Just now everybody is talking about
the cause of the latest of them-the
Bland bill for the coinage of the seig-
niorsge, now in President Cleyeland's
hands. Nine tenths of the democrats
in Congress are opposed to the veto Of
this bill, fearing political effect, although
that percentage includes many who are
opposed to silver; while delegation
Of Wall street bankers are in Washing
ton asking that the bill be vetoed, and
claiming that they were assured by
Secretary Carlisle when they were asked
to subscribe tor the recent bond issue
that the bill would be vetoed if it got
through Congress. How the President
will get out of it Is a matter of opinion,
the preponderance being at present
againt veto. A majority of the cab
met is understood to be in favor of
his signing the bill. The populists,
although strongly in favor of the coin.
age Of the seigniorage. would not be
sorry to see it vetoed, as a veto would
give their party great boom in the
south and west. at the expense of the
democrats.
The Breckenridge-Pollard trial is
talked about more than any other
one subject just now. The testimony
has certainly been sensational enough
to suit the most morbid taste and there
is more and worse yet to come. Public
sentiment Is strongly against both
Colonel Breckenridge and Miss Pollard
though no one seems to care what the
result Of the trial may be. 1t is the
confessed relations which existed be-
tween them for nine years that has
dlsgusted decent people.
The House committee on Civil Ser
vice Reform believes IN standing by the
law and the CIVIL Service Commission
1t made adverse reports OF the bills of
Anderson, of W. Va, and Flthian, of
ILL.,, for the adjustment of the CON-
mission; also on the bill introduced by
Wheeler, Of Alabama, to authorize the
heads Of the several government depart.
ments to pass upon the eligibility Of
candidates for appointment.
Some comment is heard concerning
bill introduced Ia the House by Comp.
ton Of Nd, and attached to an apprO.
priatlon bill in the Senate by Mr.. Voor.
hees, appropriating $1,000 for the
purchase OF an oil painting Of Dolly"
Madison, wife of the fourth President
of the U. S., to be hung in the White
House. No one objects to the purchase
of the portraits Of all of the Presidents
wives to adorn the walls of the White
House, but the price to be paid for this
particular picture is regarded as out
rageously extravagant. While the sub
ject of the painting is historic, the
painting is not. 1t is the recent work
of an artist who, although the holder
of very soft snap in connection with
art education at Washington, Is not