Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-10-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.
WASHINGTON, OcT. 26TH, 1896.

There is the highest authority for the
statement that the mi sion of the mlnla'
ture battleship Bancroft to Turkish wa
ters is of entirely pacific and peaceful
character and that her movements Will
be carefully regulated SO as to ayold
offense or objection on the part OF the
Turkish authorities or the parties to the
agreement of Berlin. The sensational
report that the Bancroft is under orders
to proceed tc Constantinople regardless
of the wishes of the porte and in the face
of its expressed objection is specifically
denied at the White House and at the
Navy Department. There is every rea.
son for the belief, however, that the
Bancroft will eventually find safe an
chorage near the Turkish capital for
such use as the United States minister
may find for her, but it is said theirs is
no likelihood of such step without first
securing the assent of the Turkish au-
thorities, which, it is understood, Min
lister Terrell confidently expects to OBJ
tain. 1t is stated in the most positive
terms at the Navy Department that
Admiral Selfridge, who is in command
of the feet at Smyrna, has no lnstruc-
tons from the department regarding
the Bancroft or any other vessel of his
command that would justify him in an.
tagonizlng the porte. 1t is ADMITTED
that the Bancroft was sent to the Med
ilerranean at the special instance OF
Minister Terrell upon representations
that vessel of her light armament
would be of great service to HIM in case
of rioting 10 Constantinople threatening
the lives of American residents.
So far as the work at the Washington
end is concerned the Presidential cam
paign is over. There is no longer any
hustle around either the Bryan or Nc
Kinley headquarters. The work of send
ing out campaign literature is ended
and if any votes are changed between
this time and election day it will not be
because of anything done in Washing
ton. The fight is now transferred to
the voting precincts. While there is
less hysteria displayed at Bryan head
quarters than was on tap last week, the
democrats and populists are claiming
that Bryan will certainly be elected by
Il small majority Of the electoral college
and that the silver men will elect ma
jority OF the next House. At Mckinley
headquarters they claim that Mckinley
will receive the 1875 electoral votes
claimed for him by Vice Chairman APPS
ley, Of the Republican Congressional
Committee, or more, and that the mum.
Der Of republican members Of the next
House will not fall short of the 224
claimed by Mr.. Apsley.
President Cleveland has q nice juicy
plum to give to somebody in filling the
vacancy Oh the Court Of Claims caused
by the death of Chief Justice Richard
son. This Is lifetime job that at least
two members of the cabinet-Wilson
andHerbert- would very willingly drop
into, and one of them may get it, but
threats have already been made by tine
silver men who are in majority in the
Senate, that no gold democrat will be
confirmed if one is nominated to the
vacancy. 1t will be a comparatively
easy matter to hold up any nomination
made until after the 4th of March il
any number of Senator's desire to d > SO.
1t is thought by Georgia men in
Washington that the death of ex Spea-
ker Crisp, VINO would have been elected
to the Senate will precipitate red hot
CAsToRIA.