The morning times., 1897-02-11
CIoakroom and Gallery

The report is current that Gen. Alger
has not fulfilled condition precedent
TO his nomination as Secretary OF War.
Republican politicians regarded his per-
Torrance of taking the old soldiers train
all through the doubtful middle west as
the one thing that induced his selection.
During the campaign this was regarded
as remarkable evidence OF the generals s
patriotism and liberality, not TO say prod
igality. But now it is. suspected that he
did not foot the bill at all.
1T was supposed said man promi-
nently identified with the Republican
national committee, that Gen. Alger was
going to pay the whole shot himself. He
was much praised for his liberality and
enthusiasm. But after election the whole
bill for the train, the supplies and 'ex-
penses' of the general, was presented to
Hanna's committee. 1t footed up the
snug sum OF $40 900 Hanna remon-
strated, but he finally paid the bill"
The story is said to have leaked out
from Hanna himself, who is not pleased
with Gen. Alger for other reasons. 1t
Is claimed to have been understood by
Sherman and Hanna, and presumably, by
the new President himself that Alger was
to be nominated for War Secretary to
please the Foraker contingent, with which
the General Ilas In the past been closely
connected But Foraker's subsequent course
in refusing TO favor Hanna's nomination
has displeased the new Federal machine
in Ohio. And the revelations concerning
the old soldiers train followed,
Senator Burrows was presiding in the
Senate yesterday afternoon when heavy
inkstand rolled off from one OF the desks
OF the press gallery over his head. 1t
descended with great force Although
1t did not come very near his head it
made quite a commotion in the chamber.
The grave Morgan stopped his long speech
in astoniShment, and several Senators
looked around as though rather suspi-
cious OF bombs Now the small nkwe Ills
will be removed and hereafter the pretty
pasttime OF playing with them, which some
veteran correspondents have found so
agreeable, will grow obsolete.
Warren La Rue Thomas, of MaySville, KY,
general grand master of Knights of
Tempars OF the United States, is in the
city on business connected with the fra
Democrat, and was a candidate for Con-
gress in his district last year, bat although
he made a fine run, he was defeated
by about 200 votes. He says Kentucky
will certainly go Democratic by hand
some majority this fail, and that the
legislature will be Democratic in both
branches. There is no State ticket to be
elected this year.
Thomas Z. Watson received twenty y-seyen
electoral votes. That was the only news
furnished at yesterdays elaborate function
OF counting and announcing the electoral
vote of the United States. This is out of
all proportion to the popular vote cast for
Watson, which was very small. In fact the
popular vote for watson cut no figure what
ever in producing these electors. They
came by virtue of the alliances between
the Democrats and the Populists, and most
of them were furnished by states where
the Democratic party would have won,
even without the Populist alliance
Senator Blackburn was a teller on the
part OF the Senate four years ago, when
Cleveland was declared elected, and again
acted in that capacity yesterday. 1t is
violating no confidence to say that his
chief enjoyment in yesterdays proceed
ings was gained by the reflection that
although he was helping to count in Nc
Kinley, he was also aiding in the more
agreeable work Of counting Cleveland out.
This diSCussi on was in one OF the Repub-
lican c!oakrooms Of the House, but there
We're Dem orratic' members present. One
OF the Republican statesman ventured the
prediction that there would be a festoIa-
ton of good tines in two or three months
after the Inauguration There was Ge-
cided diversity OF opinion is To whether
the Advance a geftof ] rosperity ould make
good the claims OF the Republican stump
orators that there would be n veritable
flow OF milk and honey Immediately after
Mr. Mckinley was sworn in.
Mr. DinSulore of Arkansas may be a
trirle pessimistic on account OF the fact
that he is lachelor, but he remarked
in his characteristic dry way.
Il agree with Tom Reed that the Adj
vance Agent of Prosperity has not shown
as yet a very large assortment OF his
goods But. " continued Mr.. DinS-
more, Il think the times must he very
much out of joint in this country for the
reason that one OF my constituents wrote
me the other day, asking if l could find
him market for his fiddle. Think of
an Arkansas man parting with his fiddle!
Think OF Davy Crockett parting with his
fiddIe Good times There can't be
good times in our country when one OF
our people is willing to give up his
fiddle"
''The Times said a member of the
House yesterday, told an interesting story
about Eugene Higgins, eX-AppOintment
Clerk OF the Treasury, and how he con.
graduated Senator Anthony Higgins once.
That was characteristic Of the Maryland
Higgins. But let me tell you that Gene
Higgins, like all worldly men, has more
than one side to his character. He is one
of the most charitable and warm-hearted
men l ever met. He would go into a
pesthouse, if need be, to nurse Il friend.
l have known him to do hundred little
kindnessc $ to poor people, but he was never
known to boast of it. Higgins is rough
in exterior, but noble-hearted, good