The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-11

The last congress made an appropria-
ton of s.. - 900 for the payment of boun-
ties 10 the beet and cane sugar raisers.
the appropriation to become available
after July i OF the present fiscal year.
The claims OF the sugar raise-s have been
favorably passed upon BY the commits
sioner Of internal revenue. as well as the
auditor of the treasury. and have been
submitted to the comptroller Of the treas
ury for final approval.
Here there is a hitch. The comptroller
has gotten IL into his head that while he
is a ministerial officer he has judicial
powers and he is disposed TO reject the
claims on the ground that the law pro-
vidfng for their payment is unconstita-
tionaI. He Is determined TO satisfy him
self on this point. and is now listening TO
arguments of counsel representing the
sugar interests.
out OF the s., sss 900 appropriated. $780,
600 will go to the louisiana cane sugar
raisers. provided the law is sustained.
and they are the people more especially
interested in the controversy. They have
already had a number OF secret confer
ences with Secretary Carlisle. and a sus-
picion has been aroused that there is
more or less politics in the holding up Of
the bounty money.
The silver Democrats have been watch
ing the administration closely and. 1T is
limited that the bounty question is to be
used as lever to compel the Louisiana
people 10 give proof they will stand by
the presidents sound money policy. If
they toe the mark, the bounty VIII be paid
without more ado; If not. an heroic at
tempt will be made to punish them by
retaining the bounty for as long time
as possible.
Ii is well known that Mr.. Cleveland
has intimated that he believes ofTlcehold-
ers under him are in duty bound to stand
by him and support his policies. From
the fact that he has in the past shown
himself not disinciined to use pressure TO
attain his ends, il is not unreasonable to
believe that he considers the present &C.
casion a suitable one for bringing the
free-slIver people of Louisiana to their
senses.
While II is charged that Mr.. Bowler,
the comptroller. has arrogated TO himself
an authority to which he is not entitled.
at the Same time his past record con-
tains nothing which would authorize the
assumption that he would set up his opin-
lon against that of the president or Sec
rotary Carlisle. II Is generally believed
that no Is acting under instructions and
is not setting himself UP in a judicial po-
sition without the consent and authority
OF his s,iperiors.
The louisiana delegation now in WASH
ington City have not hesitated 10 tell Mr..
Carlisle in their secret conferences that
the Withholding of tho bounty will turn
the state over TO the Republicans. This
makes Mr.. Clegelands hand all the
stronger. If they will support his flnan-
ciaI policy he can assist them in getting
their bounty; IL they refuse, he can use
his influence 20 prevent their getting
their claims allowed and threaten them
with losing political control locally.
Enough is not known positively 10
bring home 10 the president the charge
that he is identified with the manipuiations
outlined. but certain IL is that once COM
mitted TO course OF action he is very
determined in following 1t out. and rare
~ at loss for means by which he can
accomplish his purposes. The admins
tration exerted large influence in the
elaboration OF the Kentucky Democracy
and the rumors from Georgia are TO the
effect that the Federal officeholders in
that state are expected TO support Hoke
Smith in waging war against financial
hereSies. The method adopted 20 coerce
tho Louisiana sugar men is somewhat
heroic. but the president. IL he is anyway
connected with IL. may feel that he is
justified in using such unusual pressure
because of the great public and private
interests involved.