The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-03-05
" Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent.

WASHINGTON, ID. G. Feb. 2Sth, 1897.
The investigation now being con-
Quoted by the Senate COMMITTEES. on
public lands may lead to a scandal in
volving Mr.. Cleveland, although every
patriotic American will hope not.
The investigation is of land patent
recently issued by Secretary Francis to
Mr.. Perrine, Mrs. Cleveland's STEP
father, and his associates. The patent
covers $4,000 acres of land in Florida.
and if it has been legally issued, the
present occupants Of the land will
have 20 move or to make terms with
Mr.. Perrines The original grant of
this land was made to DR.. Perrine,
father of the present Mr.. Perrine, and
his associates, in 1S41, and the conten-
tion of the settlers on the land, who
are represented by Ex-Congressman
Brookshire, of Indiana, is that it was
forfeited by failure to occupy it with
in the legal limit. The odd part of
the issuing Of this land patent is the
manner in which it has been hurried
along since Mr.. Francis became Secre-
tary of the Interior, and the apparent
anxiety of Assistant Attorney General
Llonberger, who was put in Office by
Secretary Francis, to get the patent
issued for the laud before the close of
the present administration. The Com
mttee may find the transaction all
right, and that the relationship of Mr.
Perrine to Mr.. Cleveland has not
figured in the matter at all, but there
is lot of ugly gossip about it just
now, and it will probably get into
course anyway.
The smart alecks who have been in
dustriously circulating reports as to
the intention of the House Committee
on Coinage to smother the Senate bill
authorizing President Mckinley to ap-
point delegates to any international
monetary conference called by any
other nation, or to one called by him
self if in his discretion, he sees fit to
call 1t, got knock down blow when
that Committee reported the bill
favorably to the House with two
amendments, one broadening the
authority of the President by author
izing him, if he sees fit, to appoint one
or more special commissioners or en-
voys to negotiate with other nations
for the calling of such a conference,
and the other repeating the Act of
1898 Tor the Same purpose, so as to
prevent any complications that might
arise from two acts on the same sub
ject.
Congress did a sensible thing in
abolishing the title of "Private Secre-
tary to the President" and making the
title of that very important and use
full official Secretary to the Presi-
dent" OF late years, especially dur
ing the first term of Mr.. Cleveland
aud during President Harrison's term,
this position has been filled by men
who have been in reality confidential
advisers of the President, and il was
farcical to designate them as private
secretaries, in view of the popular idea
OF the duties performed by private
secretary. The change was made in
compliance with request of Presi-
dent-elect Mckinley.
While no republican in Congress
believes that the reelection of Senator
Kyle, by the aid of republican votes
IN the South Dakota legislature, was
brought about by any deal, there is a
general belief that Senator Kyle Will,
If necessary, help the republicans OF
the Senate to pass tar iff bill at the
coming extra session. And owing his
reelection to republican votes will not
be likely to make him antagonistic to
other republican measures. So long
as a straight out republican could not
be elected, there is no occasion for re-
publican grumbling at the reelection
of Kyle His populism is much less
fanatical than that of others who
might be named, and personally he is
very likable sort OF fellow.
Nothing but praise is heard of the
arrangements that are being made for
Inaugural parade by Gen. Porter'
Chief-Marshal. His idea of making
the parade attractive by its quality,
and length, is generally approved.
At previous inaugurations few of the
spectators, except those who were
obliged to remain, saw the whole par
ade which upon several occasions did
not end until after dark. -ccording
to Gen. Porter,s arrangement, 1900
men in line will pass given point
| in one hour, which will bring the en-
tire parade inside,of four hours, which
is about.as long as that portion OF
| the spectators-by far the largest-nOt