The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1895-08-02
CAPITOL NOTES.


appropriation is made to be unconsti-
tutional, and that there is no appeal
from his decision, except through the
courts. All this and more has come
out through the general discussion
which has followed the announcement
of Comptroller Bowler, that he had
doubts of the constitutionality of the
sugar bounty act, ana would OIL Au-
gust Z, hear arguments from those in
terested in the sugar bounty appropri-
alton nade at the last session OF Con-
gress. At,first there was IL general
outcry against such a Czar-like as
sumption of power which few believed
the Comptroller TO have. The two
Louisiana senators and Representa-
tive Meyer came to protest and to get
Secretary Carlisle to squelch the Comp
tlOller, and were somewhat stag
gered when informed by Mr.. Carlisle
that he believed the Comptroller had
all the authority claimed by him, and
that neither the Secretary OF the treas
ury nor the President had any author
ity over his acts Or the right to review
them. These things set people to
hunting among old government rec
ords. and it was soon discovered that
the Comptroller had for IL long period
of years after the creation of the office
exercised without question the right
to pass upon the constitutiOnality Of
congress carrying appropriations, and
the fact that Mr. Madison wanted the
first Comptroller appOlnte ted for life, 50
as to make him independent, is cited
to prove that it was the original in
tention to make the Comptroller Il
check upon congress. These discov-
cries are not popular, and movement
to strip the Comptroller Of power
which should only belong TO the courts
may be expected at the next session OF
Congress.
*,.*
1t is learned from good republican
sources that eX- President HARRISON is
out for ren0mina ton, nOtwithstand-
ing all statements to the contrary.
Letters fram his political manager,
Col. John g. New, have been sean
that leave no doubt CT the existence
of all organized effort to get the nomi
nation for Mr.. Harrison, backed by
such experienced politicians as Sena-
tor Steve Eikins, of w. Va, ex-
Senators Camden of n. j., and Spoon
er of Wisconsin, and Long Jones Of
Illinois.
Senator Blackburn was in Washing
ton this week, but the most that any
newspaper man could get him to say
was ''cUme and take something" or
" what will you have?' 1t has been
learned from other sources that he
came to Washington to see about that
reported intention of the administra-
ton to remove all federal officials APP
pointed on the recommendation of sill
yer democrats. Senator Blackburn
has IL number Of appointments TO his
credit, and according to my informant,
he has defied the administration to
remove one Of them previous to the
Kentucky election.
Uncle Sam may have little sum-
mer scrap Oh his hands, if the threat
ened war between Ecuador and Col
ombia materIalizes. Under treaty
with the latter country the United
States has the right to maintain free
communication OH the Panama rail-
road, across the lsthmus, it Column bia
fails to do so, and the New York Off
GERS of the Panama railroad haze ap-
pealed to this government to protect
their property, which they say is in
danger Oh account Of the labor trOu-
Dles Oh the isti.mus, regardless of how
the threatened invasion of Colombia
by Ecuador shall turn out. Secretary
Herbert has ordered vessel to pana-
MA to look out for and protect Ameri
,:,u interests
HI
The average memUry is short. When
Secretary OlEey made public his in
tention to Try to reform ti,e U. s. con-
sular service and To have consuls ap-
poiutt d because of their fitness for the
position, and not their political pull,
few people remembered that Il deter
mined effvIt III that direction was
made thirty-odd years ago by Secreta-
" Seward, and that the greediness of
the politicians for patronage caused
its failure. Such is the fact, shown
by the records of the state department.
Secretary Stewards idea was tO edn-
J cate the men to be appointed cunsuls
in the work they were to do. After
getting the necessary congressional
! legislation, lie appointed ten bright