The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1895-06-20
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


the new member of the cabinet, Attorney
General Harmon, of Ohio, whose appoint
ment was complete surprise in Washing
ton, as it doubtless was everywhere else.
MIR. Harmon. or Judge Harmon, for he re-
signed from the bench few years ago to
become the head of well-known firm of
Cincinnati corporation lawyers, making
speciality of railroad business, was probably
not known personally to a score of men in
national politics, outside of his own state;
and his appointment is generally credited
to corporation influences, just as was that OF
his immediate predecessor, Mr.. Olney, who
is now Secretary of State Outwardly the
Democratic politicians have nothing to say
against either Of these appointments
although they do no. pretend among them
selves to like either of them even little
bit.
The most important business that the new
Attorney General will be called on to handle
for some time to come will deal with rail.
road corporstions-bi ones. too. But con-
trary to his private practice, 1t will be
against corporations-the Pacific railroads
aud the estates OF some of their former
officers that he will be expected to act, in
the attempts that are being made to get
settlement of the indebtedness of those cor
porations to the Government. Judge Har-
mon is credited with being fine lawyer,
and his official act in connection with those
Pacific railroad cases will be watched with
great deal of interest; also in regard to the
enforcement of the antitrust laws, which
Mr.. Olney declared to be worthless so far
as controlling the trusts was concerned, but
which the Supreme Court declared unani
mously 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 De-
partment of Justice to the Department of
State was promotion, both socially and
politically. Socially it puts him and Mrs.
Olney at the head of the cabinet in all social
and official entertainments at which mem
bers of the cabinet and their wives take
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
vice President die or both become constitu-
tionally incapacitated to hold their offices,
So far as Washington is concerned about
the only difference will be that it will be
more difficult than ever to obtain State De.
partmsnt news, as Mr.. Olney earned while
Attorney 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 ances'
try. For that reason his remaining in
Washington and maintaining an office,
fully equipped with clerks and typewriters,
for the furtherance of his candidacy for the
Republican Presidential nomination, is sig
nificant. He dosen't spend money unless
he expects to get something for it, nor has
he ever displayed any fondness for doing
any hard word. 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
he 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 thai
he 10 receiving and sending out an enormous
correspondence. Like his late father, hi
rather dislkes the newspapers and believes
in personal appeals for political support
He is banking upon his being the only east
.ern Republican mentioned as possible
presidential candidate who has declared fo
the free coinage of silver, and is looking tt
she west for his strongest support.
The annexations, who are far NOR
numerous than some people dream, are de
lighted with the reported intention of Spail
to demand an indemnity from the Unite'
States, on the ground that this governmen
did not exercise proper care to prevent it
citizens aiding and taking part in the Cuba
revolution, and hope that Spain will bacl
the demand with some saucy talk. Thes
sentiments on the part of the annexationist
are not the result of sympathy for Spain
but OF desire to hasten the annexation c
Cuba by the United States. 1t is believe
by the annexationists that should Spai
make serious demand for indemnity fror
gthe United States it would create such
wave of public enthusiasm for the annext
tion of Cuba that this Government woul
feel compelled to acquire Cuba, by purchas
or otherwise. Spain will do well to thin
the matter over very carefully before NAL
ing any such demand upon the Unite
States Congress will in few months
in session, and majority of its member
might take it into their heads to get ma
about it, and when people get mad they al
liable to do dangerous things
MINING DECISIONS.