The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1895-08-17
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WASHINGTON LETTER.
q CO Reealar oerrespoadeat.1

WAsHIN0T0N, Aug. y, 1870.
The principal event Of this week
in Washington was the hearing Of
the arguments in favor Of the pay
ment Of the sugar bounty, by Comp
troller Bowler. The arguments
were thorough and well made.
Comptroller Bowler has not handed
down decision, and from the talk
of those who are in his confidence,
he may not decide the questions
argued further than to decline APP
proving the payment of the money
appropriated by Congress, until
the constitutionality of the sugar
bounty shall have been affirmed by
the courts. Should he do that it
will be quite a while before the
money is paid, even if the courts
decide in favor of the bounty.
II has long been evident that
Secretary Morgan regarded him
self as a born ''funny man ~ and
he doubtless believes that had be
turned his Sunny" talent into a
literary channel the half million
clan Robinson, of his department,
dollars earned by Mark Twain
would fall far below what the pub
lie would have gladly paid him for
writing Sunny" pieces. This little
popularity has been played upon
by shrewd observers of human ma
ture since Mr.. Morton became a
member of the cabinet-it's a sure
play to get what You want from
him if properly made-until it has
grown to size out of all proportion
to either the statue or the brain Of
the man. He thinks the allitera-
tive phrases in his numerous letters
on finance the most humorous
writing of the age, and 10 gain his
undivided attention at any time it
is only necessary to quote one of
those phrases and add few words
of praise for it's wit and originality.
OF course it is necessary to strain
ones conscience little to do that,
but those who seek official favors
soon get used to that process. But
the browning act of Secretary Nor
toms funny" business-in his own
acknowledgements this week,
when he paid the salary Of Statisti-
who is an ardent advocate of the free
coinage of silver, in silver dollars.
Mr.. Morton calls this humorous
lesson in finance, and everytime he
mentions the weight of the bag of
silver dollars his private secretary
and messenger-poor fellows !-are
to laugh boisterously.
He considers the joke such a good
one that he says he intends that
The salaries of all the silver men at
.ached to his department shall be
paid in silver dollars. There may be
something overwhelmingly funny"
in this thing, and there may be an
object lesson in finance concealed
n it, but neither are visible to your
correspondent, who thinks the SER
vices of physician may be need
ID by somebody around the Depart
nent of Agriculture before long.
According to the latest political
gossip, Senator Villas, of Wisconsin,
Who was successfully Postmaster
General and Secretary of the Int
'ior in President Cleveland's first
cabinet, is being groomed for one of
he administration candidates for
he Presidential nomination. The
is, according to the Cos
lips, in the very probable event of
be convention declining to compel
President Cleveland to again be-
come candidate-it would not re-
luire more than 400-horse power
o give the convention the choice
Secretary Carlisle and Sem
ltor Villas, the intimation being con-
Keyed previously to the delegates
hat either Of them would be accept
sble to the administration. It is
'aid that it has been intimated to
'x-Secretary Whitney that his name
night also go before the convention
Is an administration candidate, and
hat he very promptly declined.
Senator German may not be the
slightest bit alarmed at the situa-
ion which confronts him in Mary
and, but when he broke his usual |
ule and gave out Dragging Inter.
lew ne was very promptly accused |
# initiating the boy who whistles
n the dark to keep up his courage.
senator German had an interview
With Secretary Lamont this week.
md 1t is thought that it was to |
make some sort Of deal by which |
he kicking administration demo.
rats in Maryland can be got into
inc. Secretary Lamontis, like SEN
tor German, a compromises by ma
ure, but President Cleveland isn't.
sorman gave Mr.. Cleveland one of
be hottest roats he received during
be last Congress, and there would
eem to be basis for the belief that
Or. Cleveland would be much more
Wiling to see Maryland go republic
an than to aid German in retain
ng control. Still, you never can
ell what politicians will do.
Tuesdays Chronicle says the