The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-03-19
ashIngtOR Letter.


regular dessert of official pie until his
congressional boarders have eaten the
tariff and currency commission dinners
now being prepared for them, although
a few individuals who have squared
things with King Hanna will be at once
given generous slices of the best pie In
the establishment.
Republican senators and representa-
tivees would like Mr.. McKinley's plan
of making them choose the men who
shall be appointed to office from their
states mnch better if he had not allowed
it to become generally known. They
are willing enough that the men VINO
get the offices should give them credit
for securing them, but they do not like
the idea of having to be held responsible
by the unsuccessful applicants. 1t was
a shrewd dodge on the part of Mckinley
and its announcement has already
brought about a marked falling off IN
the number of office-seekers who seek to
push their claims by personally calling
at the White House.
While the caucus of Democratic sena-
tors did not decide the matter definitely,
it was plain from the tone of the re-
marks made that number of them
were opposed 10 the proposed combina
ton with the silver Republicans and
PopulIsts to reorganize the senate COM
mittees. Some of the shrewdest Demo
Gratis in the senate are of the opinion
that nothing would be gained by isuch
a combination, although they are de-
termined that the successor of ex-Sena-
tor Voorhees, on the finance committee
shall be a silver Democrat, In order that
the silver men shall retain their major
ity on that committee. Senators Faux
ner and Smith have been put on the
Democratic steering committee in place
of Blackburn and Brice, and German,
chairman, and CockIill, Harris, Wal
thall, Jones, of Ark, White and Muir
ply have been reappolnted as members
of that committee.
The widow of DIR. Ruiz, whose mys
terious death or murder in a Cuban
prison caused Consul General Lee to
threaten to resign if the late Cleveland
administration did not better support
his demands upon the Spanish authOri-
ties in behalf of American citizens, ar
rived in Washington this week accom-
panied by her five children, to try TO in
terest the new administration in her
claim for indemnity. She says she has
documentary evidence, which she is
anxious to lay before Secretary Sherman,
proving that DIR. Ruiz was killed in his
cell by the prison guards upon the in
stigation of Weyler's men. Speakin 2fof
Cuban matters, the new administration
has disappointed many by issuing even
more rigid orders than those of the
Cleveland administration for the preven-
ton of fillibustering and the absolute
maintenance of neutrality. 1t had not,
of course, been supposed that the Nc
Kinley administration would openly
conntenance fillibustering. That would
make this country liable for damages.
But it was thought that the idea would
be conveyed to the officers of the naval
and of the Revenue Marine Service that
their superiors did not expect them to
break themselves down hunting for fill
busters. Republicans say the supreme
court decision in the Three Friends case
left the administration no choice.
Mr.. Mckinley has to have the serv-
ices of a special military aid-de-camp;
at least he has them, and that duty has
been assigned to Capt. Heistand, u. ;.
A, who by some hOcus pOcus has been
with the Mckinley's at Canton ever
since the election. Capt. Heistand' s
wife will live at the White house and be
Mrs. Mckinley's constant companion.
This sort of flap-doodle may be all right
in Europe, but 1t seems out of place in
| this country. By a coincidence the last
president who had a military aid-de-
was also an Ohio man-Gartield.
| been dangerously I'll with the grip, does
not expect to be able to attend the extra
session He will go to Mississippi next
week, if he continues to get better, to re
main until he gets entirely well. He
will he badly missed by the Democrats.
About twenty Democrats who ought
| to be snugly enscOnced in presidential
| pOstotiices find themselves in a very un-
| pleasant predicament just nov. They
were nominated and confirmed by the
senate, but owing to delay in getting
their bonds approved by the post office
department, Mr.. Cleveland did not sign
| their commissions. If Mr.. Mckinley
chooses he can Sign these commissions,
but it is entirely discretionary with him
whether he Will do so or nominate Re
publicans for the places.
Pension Commissioner Murphy is au
thority for the statement that the Nc
Kinley Inaugural ball cost the govern.
ment so, 900 in salaries paid to idle EN-.
ployes of the pension Bureau
On Senator Germans motion the ere
dentials of Mr.. Wood, appointed by the
governor of Kentucky to succeed Sena
tor Blackburn, were referred to the com
mittee on elections, and nobody neeC
be surprised if they are never heard o
again.
After looking over the ground Kins
Hanna concluded he had enough to dc
without antagonizing Tom Reed, 81
there will be no administration candi
L L Il.