Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-11-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9TH, 1896.

Senator Butler makes it very plain
that he thinks the populists emerged
from the campaign In much better con.
dition than their allies, the democrats,
did. In fact, be thinks, ard says, that
the result virtually wipes out the dem.
ocratic party that the gold democrats
will mostly become republicans and the
silver democrats populists, and that the
next Presidential campaign will be be.
tween the populists and the republi
cans. He also says that the democrats
were responsible for Bryan's defeat.
The republicans are in state of ju-
bilation over McKinley's election which
is likely to continue until the distribu-
ton Of patronage gets fully under way
Then We shall have the kicking which
is always the striking feature of the first
few months Of every administration
They appear to fully realize that the re-
tention of the favor of the voters who
have given them another lease of pow.
er depends upon their ability to give the
country the prosperity they have prom
Used, and there is no doubt of their in.
tention to do their level best in that di.
rection. They claim that the boom in
industrial and commercial circles which
started as soon as the result of the cleo
ton was known will be permanent, and
the people, regardless of their politics,
are most heartily with them in hoping
that it will be. We all want prosperi-
ty, no matter who gets the credit for it..
While the conferences of Gen. Fitz
hugh Lee with President Cleveland and
Secretary Olney have raised a new crop
of Cuban rumors, there is nothing in
sight to indicate any change Of policy
by this government. Some think that
President Cleveland, will, in his annual
message to Congress, make some posi-.
tive recommendation on the subject, but
it Is more probable that he will merely
state the situation, as shown by Gen.
Lees report and leave the responsible
ty for any action in the hands of Con.
gress, and his successor.
In the speculations as to who will be
members of President elect Mckinley 8
Cabinet, three names of prominent re
publicans have already been eliminated.
Mr.. Mark Hanna, who could doubtless
have had his pick of the portfolios, took
his name off the list by making the pos
tive statement that be would accept no
office under the coming administration;
Senator Sherman's intimate friends say
that his age would prevent his accept
ing either the Secretaryship of the Trea-
sury or of State should either be offered
to him, and Speaker Reed should never
have been put on the list as probable
member of the Cabinet. MAJOR McKin-
ley would doubtless be only too glad to
have the strong personality of Speaker
Reed added to his family of official ad-
visers and will probably tender him a
place in the Cabinet, but without any
idea that it will be accepted. Even if
his party did not need his services in the
House, Mr.. Reed would not likely be in
the Cabinet. The Speakership Of the
House is much bigger place than the
best position in the Cabinet, and can be
made to serve the am bition Of a man who
is candidate for his party's Presiden.
tial nomination, as Mr.. Reed inquest.
ionablY is, to much greater extent.
One Of the odd features Of the Sena-