The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1895-08-03
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular Correspondent
- ii AsH:NGToN. July Goth. 1895.

who called to see him to protest
against the right Of the Comptroller to
decide whether the money approrri
ated by Congress tn pay sugar bountles
should be withheld, that he had no
authority Owe the Comptroller. not
even the power of removal. which is
vested in the President alone. The
Iouisianians argued that the Comp
troller had no legal authority to ques-
tien the constitutionalitv 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 para
mount to Congress. Secretary Car
Isle said it vas true that the Comp
troller might by the arbitrary exer-
else of his authority greatly embarrass
the government, but he could see no
present remedy. Congress had con-
ferrad this great authority upon the
Comptroller, and tho Secretary Of the
Treasury had no right to question his
acts. The President. Of course conld
remove II Comptroller, but he could
not direct or review his acts. There
seems little Doubt that Comptroller
Bowler has the law on his side. al
though the right to construe the con-
s~titutionality of act Of Congress appro-.
priating money has not been exercised
by a 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 Z has been set
for the hearing OI arguments. and, as
more than S., 1000. 900 is at stake, an
imposing array of legal talent is en-
pected to take part.
The secret is out. Mr.. Benjamin
Harrison need not pretend that lie is
not an out and out candidate for the
nomination any longer. There are
people in Washington who have seen
letters from Col. John G. New direct
ing how certain wires should bc pulled
in order to increase Mr.. Harrison's
chances. Besides. it has leaked ont
that a near relative Of "Lige" Halford,
who used to be Mr.. HarrisOn's private
Secretary, is quietly running Il 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
neal to being in his confidence as he |
eve allows anybody to get. Men who
are known to be working for Harrison
are noG the sort to be wasting their
time without an explicit understand
ing. Among these men are ex -Sena- !
tor Spooner, OF Wis. Long Jones,
ofIll.; ex-senator Sewrll, Of n. j.,
and Senator Elkins, Of w. Va. Mr..
Harrison wants that nomination, and
he is going TODD his level best 10 get
1t.
In response to requests from the U.
s. Consul at Panama aud 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 a labor strike 10 on hand, and
Ecuador is said to be about to invade
Columbia which gives the United
States the right to maintain free com.
m%unication over the Panama railroad
whenever Columbia fails to do so. OF
course Secretary Herbert's instructions
have not been made public, but it is
almost certain that they include keep
ing of the Panama railroad open, as |
well as protecting American interests
in general. -
Ex-senator Wade Hampton, of
South Carolina. HOW Railroad Com
missioner, says he was misIepresented
by the Southern paper which quoted
him as stating that he had personal
knowledge of President Cleveland's |
intention TO be a candidate for IA third
term. Speaking of this matter Gen.
Hampton said 81 believe | did say
that it the different parties took to !
splitting up and Il half dozen candi-
dates took the field a lot of the con- !
seryatiye gold bug democrats would
want to rrn President Cleveland for a
third term and that a big per cent.
among the republicans would heartily
join them. As a matter of fact, /
haven't the slightest reason for be.
~lieving from anything President Cleve-
land ever said or did that lie is or will
be a candidate for a third term. On
the other hand, | have no idea that lie
is thinking about it or would consent
to run for another nomination." This /
whole third term furry, which has
lately taken on new life. is based upon
Misrepresentation, which in most
cases have been Intentionally made
by enemies of President Cleveland.
and which have been spread and added
to by editors who find that a more
congenial subject than a discussion of