The Charlotte Democrat., 1896-02-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent

recently bruited against the Venezuelan
boundary commission, the opinion pre-
walls among well-informed people here
that the present time is much too early
for deciding against the commissions
efficiency. There is also no tangible
reason for believing that the commission
will drag it's sessions languidly through
tho year without reaching any definite
conclusions. There are really no facts
warranting the statement that the NOM
bers are adopting procrastnation as their
rule of conduct. The fact is that the be-
ginning of such work must, in the nature
of things, be sluggish. The preliminary
arrangements ior an accurate and in
telligent solution of the problem, be-
fore the commission, are necessarily OF
difficult and slow achievement. The dis
position TO criticise which has -latoly
sprung up has its origin and it's impulse
in a credtable public sentiment. Pat
riotic men of both parties do not wish
this boundary commission to be made a
factor in the approaching national cleo
tioD, tor such situation would inevita-
bly, destroy the effect of the commits
sion's work abroad And if the commits
sion's work is to be thus impugned, it
were better for the country had it not
been created. There is deep seated
feeling, therefore, that the commission
should not be in session this summer
The consensus of opinion upon this line
ia hot ho ~,
way TO a de6nate and final conclusion by
the middle of June at farthest, it should
arrange to adjourn over until the middle
of November. This inquiry is a national,
not q political matter, involving The honor
ofthe country. 1t would be deplorable
TO have it degraded to a common CAM
paign device.
This week has marked the ending of
the famous Waller case. 1t seems stupid
that the Il-regulated phianthropists
should assume that Waller was an limos
cent maryland that the French govern
ment was a covetous oppressor, without
waitin for statement of the facts on both
sides. Now that the records fthe case
have been made public by submission to
congress, it is found out that our ex- Cou-
sui in Madagascar was properly and re-
him was overwhelming that he deserved
has no ground of complaint against
France in the connection. France has,
with magnanimity, offered to release this
Waller, and in that way extend this coun-
try courtesy, and the offer has been &C.
cepted with complete waiver of claim for
pecuniary consideration. This ending
has nothing to do with the merits of the
case. The fact stands out that Waller
committed the offence with which he was
charged, and that the great clamor
against the French authorities for the
imprisonment OF the exConsul and
against Ambassador Eustis for his al
legged Indifference to the sufferings of
victim, were in great measure balder-
dash.
The announcement that Senator Quay
is candidate for the presidency is re,
garded by the followers of other candi-
dates as an intimation that they must
deal W ith him direct, and not encroach
upon his preserve in hopes of picking up
few delegates. It is stated on good
grounds for belief that Mr.. Platt and Mr..
Quay have an understanding as to the
disposition of the delegates from their
respective states, and that their votes
are not to 60 to any candidate who is
not bound to recognize Platt and Quay
as conspicuously after election as during
the campaign. 1t has been known in
certain circles for some time that Mr..
Quay held himself in readiness to take
the position of a candidate at any time it
might become necessary for him to be.
come sort of foil to prevent the en-
croachment of other candidates. This is
believed TO be all there is in his candi-
dacy. Mr. Quay does not want the
pennsylvania delegation to go to St.
Louis in the interest of any other ca ndl-
date who is seriously in the field. He
wants their vote to be decided by circum.
stances which may develop here after.
The situation is favorable to such a plan.
Many candidates are in the field, dividing
the forces of those who agree practically
on all matters Of policy. The situation
may develop in the convention at any
time when the votes of New York and
Pennsylvania, or perhaps one of these
states, may decide the nomination. Ap-
Parently Mr.. Quay does not intend to
throw away this opportunity of being
Dictator IN the matter, by having the
delegation either divided or pledged be-
torehand to one OF the candidates. -
The first part of the season" before
Lent has closed, leaving Mrs Cleveland
and the Cabinet ladies thankful for the
respite from the terrible fatigue of hand
shaking to say nothing of the equally
exhaustive penalties of public position.
The Cabinet ladies have been toiling
at th huge visiting list all winter, but
all efforts TO return their calls have
made but small impression on the
thousands of cards in the reception punch
bowls. They can return only about
sixty calls week, and they receive from
one to FIVE hundred. Clearly it is a phy
slcal impossibility to return all in person
The same custom which prevails at the
White House, of not returning visits.
should in mercy, if not in common sense,
apply to the Cabinet houses. The official
women in Washington have enough So
cial burdens and never ending, duties
without imposing upon them the impos-
sIole task of skurrying around to return
the visits of the multitude, and the kills
in gordeal of this idiotic handshakinp
custom of ours should a'so be SHARED
them.
1t men are going to wear Mother Hub.