The morning times., 1896-05-21
WHY DANA IS OPPOSED
Second Deputy Bells Friends
Making the Fight.
FREE SILVER is A FACTOR
They Say He Was Banned Because
of HIS White Metal Tendencies
and Senator'S of That Xix Threaten
TO Block the AppOintee's Confirm
alton.

Tue fact that the confirmation of Dominic
Murphy to be Commissioner of Pensions
to succeed Judge Luchren was reconsid-
cred after final action had been taken has
created much gossip at the Capitol.
AS matter of fact, the confirmation
was not withheld because of any hostility
to Mr.. Murphy, but in order that further
consideration may the better be given to
the nomination OF Col. Dana to be First
Deputy Commissioner OF Pensions The
fight both before the Senate Committee on
Pensions, to whom the nominations were
referred, and in the executive session.
was against the confirmation Of Col. Dana.
The reasons made public for this an
tagonism are that Col. Dana is retired
Army officer, and the fact that he is
between seVentyfive and eighty years
old would disqualify him from the active
and efficient discharge of such arduous
duties.
ROOT OF THE TROUBLE.
The real cause Of the trouble, and which
may result in the selection of Republica n
as first deputy, lies in the fact that Second
Deputy Commissioner Bell, who is in di-
rect line OF promotion, but whose claims
have been ignored and Col. Dana advanced
over his head, has fallen under the ban
by reason of his financial views
Some time age Mr. Bell saw fit TO exer-
else his prero gauye as a citizen, and
dabbied Il little i'll politics BE openly ex-
pressed himself TO he in favor Of free silver
legislation, and his name was then added
to the list prepared of Federal employees
VINO opposed the monetary policy of the
administration.
Upon the retirement OF Judge Locbren an
opportunity presented itself to humliate
Mr.. Bell by ignoring his claims 10 promo
md Inv in 10 ,,I
to which he would, under ordinary cir
cumStanccs, have been entitled. But II has
been the policy of the President for more
than year past 10 appointing one TO offCe
whose views on the money question are not
sound, as considered from an administra-
ton standpoint.
SILVER MEN WITH DANA.
This fact was known to a number of
Senators before the name OF Col. Dana
was sent in, and movement was promptly
seton foot to defeattbe confirmation. There
is little, if any doubt, but that the free
silver clement in the Senate viii I've able
to accomplish the rejection OF Col. Dana,
aud the hint has been given broadly thatin
the event of such action the President will
select Republican, thereby demonstrating
that if the Democrats will persist i'll quar-
Teling among themselves over ii minor of
flee they deserve no consideration.
1t is stated on unGueSuODed authority
that the Preside Mt is now contemplating
the nomination of w. II. H Johnston, for
the past tea years clerk TO the Senate
Committee on Pensions. to be first deputy
commissioner Of pensions.
MAY NAME A REPUBLICAN.
AS a Republican, Mr.. Johnston came
i'll under Mr.. Clevelands first admins
tration, when Senator Davis was chair
man of the committee, and was retained
in the position during the incumbency Of
Senator Palmer as chairman, and is now
in the same position under Mr.. Gallingcr
The President yesterday caused certain
inquiries to be made as to whether the
selection of Mr.. Johnston would be ac-
ceptable to the new Commission of
Pensions and to the Democratic members
OF the Senate Committee On Pensions. It
is expected that these replies will he
favorable, in which event the place will
be rendered to Mr.. Johnston
1t can easily be surmsed what a storm
Of adverse criticism would be invoked by
the appointment of a Republican to a
position of such Importance, bat it is
understood that the President has become
satisfied that Mr.. Johnston would be a
good, safe, couserva tive man for the
place, and his selec ection would serve as an
admirable object lesson to both the sound
money and free silver wings OF the Demo
cratic party.