The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-05-23
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
From our Special Correspondent
wAsH1neroN. May 20, 1896.

WASHINGTON, May 20, 1886.
Cesar had his Brutus, Charles the First
his Cromwell. Blaine his Burchard, ana no"
Il looks for ali the world as though William
Mckinley. Jr.. would meet his fate IN the A.
PA. Major McKinley's managers, keenly
alive to the fact that public man Is Jndged
by the enemies he makes, have heretofore
labored industriously through the public press
70 make it appear that there was an uncom-
promising enmity existing between that phi
ianthropic combination of the Patriotic Sons
of America known as the A. P. A. and their
candidate. but the annual meeting OF the A;
p A in Washington last week was destined
to rudely dispel this cunningly -eontrlved de-
lusion. The A. p. A. is not giving to md
ING its light under bushel, and is is fond OF
demonstrating what it conceives TO be It's
power. 1t had been given out that 1t would
he the especial business of the recent assem-
bly of the order to crush the last vestlge OF
aspiration out of the Ohio statesman. IL had
in the meantime, however, been quietly ar,
ranged that committee ofthe order should
wait on Major Mckinley, and in the interview
thus brought about he is said to have gwen
tbe committee every assurance that he was in
full sympathy with the A. Z. A. and Its poll
CIV, but It was at the same time understood,
so it is now stated, that this disclosure was to
be confidential, not for the outside world, but
only to be revealed within the secret conelaves
of this band of charitable patriots and Tor their
guidance and assurance. But the lrrepressl-
Bile vanity of these Christian brethren did not
hermit that program of secrecy to be carried
out in form and effect On the other hand,
the visiting committee made an ostentahous
report, proudly proclaiming the Ohio states
mans full sympathy and promised co-opera-
ton with the order, and this, of course, made
conspicuous chapter in the newspaper re-
ports Of the proceedings. That was at once
seen to be serious mistake by the more pru-
dent members of the order, and efforts were
promptly made to restrain the publication OF
an announcement which it was said would
serve to prejudice conservative Protestants
and Catholics all over the country against
Mckinley; but they came too late, as the news
had already been flashed all over the country.
Major Mckinley, outraged at the violation OF
confidence in the matter, is said to deny alb
solutely that any such interview took place;
but this will hardly serve to cover up the
blunder, and it looks very much like a Burch-
ard had already crossed his path thus early in
| the action.
Speaking of the A. P. A., the bold attack
made upon them in the Senate last week by
Senator Gibson in his speech on the immi-
grafton bill. while they were assembled IN the
| secret conclave almost under the shadow OF
the Capitol, was very much akin to boarding
the Douglas in his hall. y The Senator PAID
his respects 10 this aggregation OF fanatics III
very substantial fashion and received the con-
gratulations of many Senators.
1t is a fact revealed by the watchtnl eye OF
Senator German TO the Senate last week, 10
| & river
and harbor bill Just passed, while IT purportS
to only appropriate little upwards of So,
600. 600. really directs the Secretary of War
to enter into contracts to the amount OF over
SG4. O00, 600. Under the provisions OF the bill
contracts for this enormous sum might be eli,
tered into within the ensuing fiscal year, and
Congress might find itself confronted at the
next session with the imperative duty of MAX
ing appropriations TO the fall amount of these
contracts. The custom of giving authority IN
these bills for future contracts has been here
tofore praeticed to some extent, but never III
the wholesale manner carried out in the pend
ing bill
When the Baltimore Sun determines to put
forth a complete fabrication, 1t saddles tupon
some prominent Senator or ''prominen
member" 1t had one last Monday, from al
unknown Senator complaining that the
Democrats in Congress lacked leadership anc
had contented themselves with merely object
ing to Republican measures.
Nothing could be more absolutely untrue
In the first place, when the Republican
through a bargain with the Populists. under
took to reorganize the committees of the Sen
ate and thereby take the responsibility, and
the exclusive power of originating legislation
Mr. German, speaking for the Democratic
side admonished the Republicans that they
would thereby probably bar all relief to the
Treasury, and he urged that the Senate shoulo
be reorganized on non-partisan lines IN the
interest of necessary legislation. The mex
move of the Democrats was to keep down
public expenditures to the lowest Limit
policy in which Mr.. German actively assumed
the leadership and in which the party stooc
effectively together until snag was encoun.
tered in that bone of contention, the river ano
harbor BILL Next, Mr.. German, represent
ing the Democratic side proposed to the Re
publicans on the floor of the Senate revenue
duty on tea and coffee sufficient to cover eur
rent revenue deficiencies, proposition thai
was publicly declined by Mr.. Sherman on
behalf of the Republicans. Then, being
wholly unsuccessful, in the face of n combined
opposition, in effecting necessary increase
| Of revenues on Democratic lines, and only
partially successful in restraining expendi'
lures, Mr.. German has given public notice in n
the Senate that when the fertilization bill shall
be taken up he will again propose his plan OF
short-time low interest bearing certificates to
be issued by the Treasury to tide over tenn
porary deficiencies and save the issue OF
any more long-running MISUNDERSTANDING
bonds for current expenses. This plan, when
proposed at the last session, was lightly re
jeeted by the Treasury, but the Secretary, Is
understood to regard it as a very acceptable
policy at the present time. VERITAs.