The Press., 1897-09-23
Washington Letter.
Washington. s,

Senator Elkins Is rather proud than | otherwise of his connection with the much | discussed section 22 of the Dingley tariff, the provisions of which are about the same as those contained In separate bill in the senate by Mir. Elkins. He says the section was intended to take away business heretofore held by the Canadian Pacific railroad, and thus em- phasizes his own position: ''l am opposed to the Canadian Pacific railroad securing business that ought to go to American railways. l think the business which the Canadian Pacific Is now doing ought to be broken up and San Francisco become the port of entry of the goods now going to Vancouver. am in favor of Ameri- can shipping against foreign shipping. The candor of MT. Elkins is decidedly re- freshing when compared with the dodging which has been done by some of the other gentlemen who are supposed to have had 8 hand in fixing up section g.
 President Mckinley has personally re- quested Consul General Lee to return to Cuba and resume his duties at the expira- tion of his present leave of absence, and General Lee has agreed to do so. This Is authentic and official, and 1t effectually disposes of much gossip. It also indicates that President Mckinley expects matters in Cuba to reach crisis at a date not far In the future. General Lee does not ex- pect to return to Havanna until about the middle of October, unless something occurs to make an earlier return ad- visable.
 Commissioner H. Clay Evans, of the pension bureau, estimates that the pay ment for pensions during the present fis- cal year will exceed the appropriation by more than $6,OOO, ,OOO. The appropriation for the year Is $141 ,263, ,88O. The deficit will, the commissioner says, be created by the old claims for pensions, some 2.O0O, 900 In number, which will be acted upon during the year.
 In the big batch of appointments, to office, made by President Mckinley while he was ill Washington was a cousin of his own-Frederlck E. Mckinley, to be re- eeiver of public moneys at Guthrie, Okla homa-and 8 cousin of Vice-President Hobart-Edward F. Hobart, to be re- ceiver of public moneys at SantaFe, New Mexico.
 All politicians are deeply interested in the efforts of Senator Platt and his follow
 CTS to get President Mckinley to commit himself and the administration against the independent municipal ticket in great er New York headed by Hon. Seth Low, exMayor of Brooklyn, and president of Columbia college. While nobody can state positively that President Mckinley will do as Senator Platt wishes him to do, tn ere are several very good reasons for believing that the outcome will be very near to being what Mir. Platt wants 1t to be. It has been represented to President Mckinley, and Is probably true, that if MT. Low succeeds in becoming mayor of Greater New York, he intends to enter the field as candidate for the republican nomination for president in 1900. It is needless to say that MT. Mckinley hopes to get another term he Is not less human than all his predecessors. So he isn't likely to assist in boosting a possible rival. But the strongest reason for be- lieving that MT. Mckinley will throw the influence of the administration against the candidacy of MT. Low is the record of MT. Mckinley at home he has always stood by the regular ticket of his party and opposed all independent movements. The only obstacle to the success of Sena- tor Platt in getting declaration against Mir. Lows candidacy has been the doubt as to whether MT. Low would succeed in his efforts to be made the regular republi- can candidate, doubt his friends have made the most of, but which Senator Platt and his followers say does not exist.
 If MT. Low gets the endorsement of the regular republicans, he can count upon the support of the administration to the
 full extent that 1t shall be deemed judi cious to go In 5 municipal campaign i; otherwise not. While 1t Is not probable that Mir. Mckinley will support any candidate not endorsed by the Platt re- publicans, condition may arise that will cause him tU remain neutral as far as 1t may be possible. He knows how closely his actions are being watched in this matter, both by friends and opponents, and will exercise all the care for which he has reputation in Ohio politics not to take step that he may afterwards re- Qr0t