Richmond planet., 1896-03-21
WASHINGTON LETTER
THE REPUBLICAN CAN
DIDATES.
Robbins of Alabama Un-
seated.
Politics RTFEIN WANH
INGTON.
A Bill for the admission OF
New Mexico.
(From Our Regular Correspondent

\tIOIu OOL RCb
WASHINGTON, ID. c., March is, '96
It might be inferred from the stol les
sent out from Washington by those
more anxious to Furnish sensational
matter than to tell the truth that the
republicans in Congress who support
the several gentlemen who are willing
TO lead the republican party to victory
this year are going around scowling at
each other, ready TO quarrel and fight
every time one of them says a word in
favor of his candidate. This is all
tommyr0t. There never has been a
contest carried on with friendlier
words than the present up to this
time. Every one of the candidates for
the nomination mas friends In Congress
who lose no opportunity to talk up the
fitness OF their man. and it is common
TO find in group OF half dozen re-
publicsns he champions OF three or
four candidates, but the discussions
are all good natured. There is no
blackguardinR. Every one is willing
to concede that all the other candi-
dates are good men, but of course, his
is best. 1t is doubtful if a single case
could be given OF arepublican member
OF either branch of congress saying a
word derogatory to a candidate for
the republican nomination, although
every one OF them is pulling all the
wires at his command TO elect dele
gates for his choice The Senate di-
rided the past week between talking
about Cuba and Col Dupont's claim
for q seat in that body, and incidental
ly heard tour hour anti ti-administra-
| tion silver speech from Senator ock-
reli. of Mo.
ILLRoALLy ELECTED.
With the exception of unseating
Robbins of the fourth Alabama dis
trict and listening to q rather startling
exposure OF democratic methods III
| that state, the House has been devot-
| ing itself TO the appropriation bills.
| Senate committees have been au-
| thorized to make favorable reports on
/ Senator MitcheiPs resolution to amend
the constitution so as TO provide for
/ the election of Senators by direct vote
and on Senator Gears bill for the ad-
| mission to statehood of New Mexico
MILITARY AFFAIRS.
There is little doubt of animosity of
the administration towards General
Miles Mr. Cleveland only gave him
the promotion to which he was clearly
entitled because he could not deprive
him of it without such manifest injus-
tice that even Mr.. Cleveland would
| not be guilty of. Now this animosity
has been shown in a new way. Secre-
tary Lamont has written a letter to
Senator Hawley, chairman of the com
/ mittee on Military Affairs, against the
bill which has been introduced in both
branches of Congress, TO revive ths
grade of Lieutenant-General of the
Army for Gen. Miles. There would
have been nothing improper in the ad-
ministration opposing this bill, al
though no further back than in the
last Congress it favored identically
the same bill for the benefit of Gen
Scofield but there in no question
, about its having been improper fol
Secretary Lamont to imply that he
, opposed the bill for no other reasoT
, than that he did not consider Genera
Miles worthy of distinction. However
! Gen. Miles ought to be able to stand
| that sort of thing if the administration
can.
T: 4 GOOD WAGER.
Z Neither Chairman Babcock, of Wis
| nor vice chairman Apsley, of Mass
{ had any opposition for their old posi-
| tiops on the Republican Congressiona
| Campaign Committee. Nor did he,
I deserve to have any, Their work il
+ the last congressional campaign ha
q | never been excelled for thoroughness
3 How thorough it was may be judge
n from the fact that just week befor
= the election of 'o4, Chairman Babcoc
n ! wagered fine supper for nine new
a paper men that the republican men
n l bership in the House of .he fifty
n fourth Congress would exceed 232.
n the time it was thought that Mr. Bal
a cock made the wager solely for polit
cal effect But he didn't. He made
+ on the close canvass OF every cOngre
n sional district which had been mac
10 under his supervision for the commi
D. tee. When the figures we're made u
IN he had twelve members to spare,
es the republicans elected 244 He pr
L. | poses that the Committees work shs
pe be just as thoroughly done this year.
r WASHINGTON IN LINE.
Col. 8 L. HOwlette, who has be-
more than casually mentioned as {
n republican candidate for Governor
ed the State of W ,shington, Is visiting
BE National Capital He says of politt
ad at his home: Washington is easily
OIL republican state, and there will be
nd difficulty in holding it in line. I
no faVorfte' Presideptial candidates
rst our state are Reed and Mckinley,
PSI | though any of the rest would be sat
factory to us"
7as Mai f. Stahlman, owner of
Ut Nashville Banner, and, of coul s.
democrat. evidently thinks the repl
ere cans have more than fighting char
20 carry Tennessee He says. 1T
Mr. serious question whether a democ
can be elected Gov. of Tennessee