Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1895-06-13

The most important business that the
new Attorney General will be called on
to handle for some time to come will
deal with railroad corporations-big
ones, too. But, contrary to his private
practice, it will be against corporations
the Pacific railroads and the estates Of
some of their former officers that he will
be expected to act, in the attempts that
are being made to get a settlement of
the Indebtedness Of those corporations
to the Government. Judge Harmon is
credited with being fine lawyer. and
his official acts in connection with those
Pacific railroad cases will be watched
with great deal of interest; also, in
regard to the enforcement of the anti
trust laws, which Mr.. Olney declared
to be worthless so far as controlling the
trusts was concerned, but which The
Supreme Court declared unanimously to
to be good enough to compel Eugene
Debs, the labor leader, to serve the Jail
sentence imposed on him Hereunder.
The transfer of Mr.. Olney from the
Department of Justice to the Depart
ment Of State was promotion, both
socially and politically. Socially it puts
him and Mrs. Olney at the head of the
cabinet and their wives take places &C
cording to precedence. Politically it
advances him from fifth to second place
in the line Of presidential succession, as
under the law the Secretary Of State
would become president should the
president and president die or both
become constitutionally incapacitated
to hold the Office. So lar as Washing
ton is concerned about the only differ
ence will be that it will be more difficult
than eyer to obtain State Department
news, as Mr.. Olney earned while At
torney-General, the reputation Of never
giving out anything in the shape Of
news.
Senator Cameron, of Pennsylvania,
has all the thrifty instincts of his Scotch
ancestry. For that reason his remain
ing in Washington and maintaining an
office, fully equipped with clerks and
typewriters, for the furtherance of his
candidacy for the republican presiden-
tial nominations significant. He doesn't
spend money unless he expects to get
something for it, nor has he eyer dis
played any fondness for doing hard
work. Whatever other people may
think of his chances, it is evident that
he thinks them good enough to pay out
his money and to put in full time at his
desk. lie is personally managing his
boom, and has not left Washington,
except for few days at time, since
Congress adjourned. About all that is
known of what he is doing is that he is
receiving and sending out an enormous
correspondence. Like his late father,
he rather dislikes the newspapers and
believes IN personal appeals for political
support He is banking upon his be-
ing the only eastern republican men
toned as possible presidential candi-
date who has declared for the free coin.
age Of silver, and is looking to the west
for his strongest support.
The annexationists, who are far more
numerous than some people dream, are
delighted with the reported intention Of
Spain to demand an indemnity from the
United States, on the ground that this
government did not exercise proper care
to prevent its citizens aiding and tax
ing part in the Cuban Revolution, and
hope that Spain will back the demand
with some saucy talk. These sentiments
on the part Of the annexationists are not
the result ofsympathy for Spain, but of
desire TO hasten the annexation of
Cuba by the United States. 1t is be-
lieved blythe annexationists that should
Spain make a serious demand for in
demnity from The United States it would
create such waye ofpublic enthusiasm
for the annexation of Cuba that GOV
eminent would feel compelledto acquire
Cuba, by purchase or otherwise. Spain
will do we'll to think the matter over
very carefully before making any such
demand upon the United States. Con.
gress will in a few months be in session,
and majority of its members might
take itinto their heads to get mad about
it, and when people get mad they are
liable to do dangerous things.