Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-10-20
WASHINGTON LETTER
tFrom Our special Correspondent,
wAsHrNGroS.. Oct. s. 1897.


WASHINGTON. Oct. 5, 1897.
President Mckinley has said nothing
publicly to indicate any preference
among the candidstesffor Mayor of
greater New York, nor isit likely that
he will do, but there ism t the slightest
doubt as to which he would like to see
elected, any more tfan there is.as to
which should be supported by every
man who believes IL the success of the
Republican party. There is but ope
regular Republican candidate, ex Sec.
retafy Tracy, and to him should be
given the votes of all true Republicans.
Notwithstanding all the silly tommyrot
that is printed and talked about non
partisan reform, usually by men who
have their way in the regular party
organization, call 1t "the machine, y
or what you plense-is absolutely
necessary in this country. fla little
coter'e of men could compel the Re-
publicans of New York to accept Re.
publican whom they had nominated
for Mayor, there would be nothing to
prevent similar coterie naming the
party candidate for, Governor OF any
State, or even for President, whenever
so disposed. Such proce adings are en-.
tirely uu Republican; hence the salts
faction with which the Republicans
everywhere received the refusal of the
New York Republicans to allow the
nomination Of Seth Low to be forced
upon them by men who had no higher
object In view than humiliate Senator
Platt. !.
| There were an unusual number of
Republican Senators and Representa-
tives in Washington this week, and as
there were also an unusual number of
appointments made by President Nc.
Kinley the reason for their presence
was not difficult to guess. The ap-
pointments made covered about all
branches of the Government service
from foreign ministers to the lowest
grade employees-in the Congressional
Library. All of the latter have now
been appointed.
| There is such general misunder
standing as to the relations of this ad-
ministration with the coming sale,
under foreclosure, OF the Union Pacific
Railroad, that Attorney General Nc
Kenna this week gave out statement
on the subject. He said in substance
that the Government had not entered
into any agreement or understanding
with the reorganization committee,
or anyone else, by which they are to
have the road for S45, 600 1000, or any
| other sum; that the property would be
sold under foreclosure proceedip to
the highest bidder, and that the only
connection the Government has or mas
had with; the reorganization committee
was tnat the latter guaranteed that, If
the Government would join in the fore.
closure proceedings the committee
would see that a bid of not less than
$45, 900, 600 would be made for the Gov
ernment's equities. Under that pledge,
the good faith of which was secured
by deposit of s5,OOO,OOO, the Govern.
ment, under the Cleveland administra.
tion, Joined in the suit which resulted
in an order by the court for the public
sale of the property on November 1.
Attorney General McKenna hopes to
see some competition in tho bidding
for the U. P, as there have been nu
merous enquiries from capitalists, some
from Europe.
Secretary Long thiuks the U. s..
Government should be entirely indie,
pendent of the gunpowder trust, and
as a first step towards that object will
recommend in his annual report that
Congress authorize the purchase of
machinery and the erection of build.
ings for the manufacture of gunpowder
by the Navy Department.. $4,000 is
estimated as sufficient for that purpose.
There are reasons for the belief that
the board Of Naval officers who are in
vestigating as to the best location for
government armor making plant will
recommend that the plant be located
10 the south, probably either in Ten
nessee or in Alabama. or course,
nobody knows what Congress will do
with the Recommendation.
| Comptroller Eckels. who has just re.
turned from an extended tour Of the
west, said Of his trip: II visited Mon.
tana, Colorado, Utah and Nebraska,
and there is no doubt that the condi-
tions Of all classes OF people in those
States has materially improved. The
improvement has come rapidly. and
permeates allIines Of industry. 1t be.
gan With the agricultural class. The
farmers have large crops and are get
ting good prices for them The cattle
| raisers are benefited by substanti tia
! increase in the price of cattle, and the
same is true with the sheep raisers
The improvement in agriculturali in
terests has had Its effect upon the rail
roads bysincreasing their earnings. II
1 has put money in circulation, and hat
enabled people to discharge their debts
and thereby benefits the merchants
In Colorado there are actually more