The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-08-02
WASHINGTON.
rom our Regular Correspondent,
WASHINGTON. July 40, IS


Senators and Representative Meyer,
who called to see him to protest
against the right of the Comptroller to
decide whether the money appropria-
ted by Congress to pay sugar bounties
should be withheld, that he had no
authority over the Comptroller, not
even the power of removal, which is
vested in the President alone. The
Louisianians argued that the Comp
troller had no legal authority to ques-
ton the constitutionality of an act of
Congress; that he was merely charged
with the construction OF the laws as he
found them, and that if he had the
power claimed he would be paramount
to Congress. Secretary Carlisle said
it was true that the Comptroller might
by the arbitrary exercise of his author
ity greatly embarass the government,
but he could see no present remedy.
d Congress had conferred this great
authority upon the Comptroller, and
the Secretary OF the Treasury had no
right to question his acts. The Presi-
dent, of course, could remove a Comp
troller, but he could not direct or re-
view his acts, There seems little
doubt that Comptroller Bowler has
the law on his side, although the right
to construe the constitutionality of acts
of Congress appropriating money has
not been exercised by Comptroller
for years. He says he is only doing
his duty, in view Of the decision of the
Court of Appeals Of the District Of
Columbia, that the sugar bounty law
was unconstitutional, in asking that
arguments be presented showing the
constitutionality of the act Of the last
Congress appropriating money for
sugar bounties before he approves the
payment of any money under that act.
August 7 has been set for the hearing
OF the arguments, and, as more than
S., 900 is at stake an imposing
array Of legal talent is expected to
take part. ftfa''1-=s WI
The secret is out. Mr. Benjamin
Harrison need not pretend that he is
not an out and out candidate for that
nomination any longer. There are
people in Washington who have seen
letters from Col. John c. New direct
ing how certain wires should be pulled
in order to increase Mr.. Harrison's
chances. Besides, it has leaked out
that near relative of''Lige" Halford,
who used to be Mr.. Harrison's private
Secretary, is quietly running a Harri-
son literary bureau in Washington. 1t
is ridiculous to say that these things
are being done without the knowledge
or consent of Mr.. Harrison. Col. New
managed his last canvass and is as
near to being in his confidence as he
ever allows anybody to get. Men who
are known to be working for Harrison
are not the sort to be wasting their
time without an explicit understand
ing. Among these men are ex Senator
Spooner, of Wis; "Long" Jones, of
H.; ex-senator Sewell, OF n. J., and
Senator Elkins, of w. Va. MIR. Har-
rison wants that nomination and he is
going to do his level best to get it.
In response to requests from the U.
5. Consul at Panama and the New
York officers of the Panama railroad
Secretary Herbert has ordered a ship
to Panama. There are two sources
from which trouble is feared. There
is labor strike now on hand, and
Ecuador is said to be about to invade
Colombia. We have treaty with
Colombia which gives the United
States the right to maintain free com.
munication over the Panama railroad
whenever Colombia fails to do so.
Of course Secretary Herbert's instruc
tions have not been made public, but
1t is almost certain that they include
keeping of the Panama railroad open,
as well as protecting American inter,
ests in general. -
Ex Senator Wade Hampton, of
South Carolina, now Railroad Com
missioner, says he was misrepresented
by the Southern paper which quoted
him as stating that he had personal
knowledge of President Cleveland's
intention to be candidate for a third
term. Speaking Of this matter Gen.
Hampton said 81 believe l did say
hat If the different parties took to |
splitting up and a hall dozen candi-
dates took the field lot of the con.
'ervative gold bug democrats would
want to run President Cleveland for |
.hird term and that big per cent.
lmong the republicans would heartily |
Ioln them. AS matter Of fact, |
haven't the slightest reason for believ-
ing from anything President Cleveland |
ever SAID or did that he is or will be |
for third term. On the |
other hand, l have no idea that he-is
about it or would consent to |
ruh for another nomination" This |
whole third term furry, which has +
ately taken on nnew life, is based upon