The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1898-02-23
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Facts and Gossip from Our Cor
respondent.
HkNESS OF SECRETARY ALGER.

Look After the Senatorial situation in
Michigan Burrows standing on the
Financ ial Question.
Washington, Feb. 22.-Roland. b. Ge-
latt. for years the successful manager
of the Detroit Tribune. now part own
er and general manager of the Louis
Vile Commercial, was here for a few
days on private business recently. He
said Il shall always have a fondness
for the good people of Michigan. for
some of them were very kind to me
In many ways. But l shall never live
there again because all of my business
interests are in Louisville, and there j
shall stay. My home rs in a beautiful
southern city. and among a most chiv-
alric people"
General Alger was but a shadow of
his former self when he attended cab
met meeting shortly after the De Lone
Incident His physician permitted him
10 go to the executive mansion, in order
TO satisfy the general that he was gain
ing in strength in satisfactory man
ner. The distinguished invalid was great
ly discouraged. For nine weeks he was
suffering with constant fever. and
its ravages were noticeable In his sunk
en- cheeks and heavy eyes. This is the
fourth serious illness which has al
most carried him away in the last eight
years.
The Gepar ture OF Henry NJ. Rose for
his home in Grand Rapids is believed
to indicate the active beginning of the
senatorial campaign. Mr. Rose is bet
ter than private secretary to Senator
Burrows. for he is a confidential secre-
tary, and q nan in whom a friend can
absolutely rely at all times and under
all circumstances. He believes In Bur-
rows, and burrows believes in Rose
Two friends Of that calibre and charac-
ter can usually accomplish great deal
for in unity there is strength.
Burrows aud the Money Question.
People and papers who have ex-
pressed doubts concerning the standing
of Senator burrows on the financial
question need have no further doubts
or antiquities. In his speech before
the senate on Jan. 2S. in opposition to
the Teller resolution. Senator Burrows
said: "If this free coinage proposition
should be crystallized into law it would
paralyze the urlifted arm of reviving
industry ard startle the civilized
world" That is a plain declaration.
Congressman William Alden Smith Of
Grand Rapids is a member Of the COM
mittee on foreign affairs. and he has
studied international law until he is
exceptionally well posted. If he had
been secretary Of state when it was dis
closed that the Spanish minister here
had insulted this nation by writing
coarse illusions concerning our presi-
dent, Mr. Smith would have sent him
out of the country in deep disgrace and
without waiting longer than shutdown
to compel him to take his hated corpus
out of this capital Mr.. Smith does not
criticise the administration, but he be-
lieves there should have been quicker
work made of that diplomatic incident.
Senator Mcmillan does not believe
that the lumber tariff will affect the
Republican strength at the polls next
November. although many letters come
here from Michigan complaining of the
poor prospects of Michigan millers in
the future. Senator Mcmillan was the
practical author OF that tariff in the
senate, and Senator Burrows assisted
him. because Mcmillan believed in 1t,
and he Is the senator from our state.
startling Discovery.
CONGRESSMAN Sam Smith has sur
prised the old officials of the railway
mail ser\ ice His recent speech in the
house of representatives has stirred up
the postoffice department. Facts are
stubborn things mad figures will not lie.
Congressman Smith showed that the
postal cars only cost $4,000 each and
that the government is paying So, 700 for
the use Of each car per year This is
an outrage and Mr.. Smith intends to
keep the matter tefcre the public un-
til there shall be q radical reform in
the system. The government is being
systcmt tcally robbed Congressman
Smith has discovered the fact The
postmaster general mad the second as
sistant postmaster general have called
on the superintendent of the railway
mail service for action in the matter.
Congressman Smith now proposes to
have the government build or buy the
postal cars, own them, and thus save
from Sl5. O0G, 900 to $50, 900 900 every year
But it is objected by politicians that
this is a step in the Populistic direction
Of government ownership OF railroads.
Well, If we can save money by owning
cars and railroads let us own them.
Congressman Crump was the biggest
pension getter last week. He managed
to gather seventeen pensions from the
pension Office, and he has had five pri-
vate pension bills favorably reported
from the committee on pensions. These
bills will he pressed for consideration
In the house Of representatives.
IrIapd Becomes n Lecturer.
Fred Jrland of Detroit, the expert
stenographer OF the national house OF
representatives, has recently become a
lecturer here and has urprised and en-
tertained several large audiences with
his learning and eloquence. He is one
of the brainiest boys ever sent here
from Michigan. and besides he is a roy
al good fellow.
Senator Frye Of Maine. chairman OF
the committee on commerce, says:
There will be no bill passed providing
for a bridge over Detroit river. The
parties interested cannot get together
and this committee will make no ia
vorable report on any bill which does
not meet with general approval among
the railroad companies. Moreover, we
cbo.1d cvpapt fbe MiobiOau copotorc