The evening times., 1899-12-28
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.


HushinFIt up-There has been much
activity among various elements Of the
Democratic National Committee since the
news of the peremptory discharge OF a
campaign fundFolieitor by Chairman Jones
in this city was published TO discredit the
incident as of no Importance. Four days
after its occurrence Chairman Jones gave
out a carefully prepared interview at Chi
cago denying that there was any signifi-
cance in the transaction. On the fifth day
the chairman felt called upon to deny out
right and emphatically that he had dis
charged the solicitor or that he was in any
way dissatisfied with the work the
subsidiary committees Of the Nation
al Committee as organized by
Vice Chairman Stone were doing.
Denials to the same effect soon fol-
lowed from Vice Chairman Stone at st.
Louis. and from Chairman Cook of the
Ways and Means Committee at Chicago.
under whose instructions the discharged
man had been working. The fact remains,
however. that Richard s. Slater, OF Kansas
City. the gentleman who caused all the
trouble. told Times reporter at the Capt.
tol on December IS that he was that day
tional Committee by Chairman Jones. Mr..
Slater further said that the chairman had
hsrshiy criticised the methods employed by
the committees solicitor in that they were
expected to secure funds only from small
subscribers-people who were willing to
subscribe to the campaign fund in amounts
from $40 to $500. Mr.. Slater appears to
have been reinstated in his position and to
have returned to work in New York. Other
It.st <xF. xN,.,
have been similarly treated. presumably in
refutation of the widely scattered report
that there was serious friction between the
Chairman and Vic. Chairman of the Demo-
cratic National Committee.
The Kentucky Trouble.-Governor
Taylor. of Kentucky, has taken the first
step in what promises TO be litigation OF
national Importance by the appointment of
two members of the State Board OF Elect
ion Commissioners. The appointments
were made TO fill vacancies caused by the
resignation of two members originally Sc
lected by the legislature in compliance
with the terms of what is known as the
Goebel Law. One of the governors ap-
pointees is Republican and the other is
an ptUlOcTdt. Inc Two ulem
bers who resigned were Democrats. The
third is also Democrat The Goebel law
makes the board elf-perpetuating; that
is, the board is empowered to fill vacan-
cies. In pursuance OF this provision the
remaining original member has filed the
vacancies with Democrats. When Hon.
John W. Yerkes, the Kentucky member Of
the National Committee, was in Washing
ton two weeks ago he predicted in an in
terview in The Times the complication
which has just been brought about by Gov.
Taylor's action. Mr.. ierkes. who is an
acknowledged leader of the Kentucky bar.
said the matter would probably be brought
TO the United States Supreme Court for
final adjustment. The legal contention of
the Republicans is that the Goebel Law con-
travenes the constitution of Kentucky by
taking out OF the hands OF the governor
the appointment OF members Of the cleo
ton board. Mandamus proceedings have
already been instituted at Frankfort to
test this point. The case Will be rushed
through the lower court with all possible
speed. Whichever side loses it is ex-
pected that the case will be appealed to
Washington. This intervening litigation,
ii is thought will have the effect Of pre-
serving its settlement. Meantime the
lower State officers installed. all Of whom
are Republicans will hold on. The elec-
tion board is empowered TO pass upon the
rights of all officers below the grades Of
governor and lieutenant governor. The
Legislature has jurisdiction over the matter
ter, and when the assembly meets at
Frankfort in January it is expected TO
declare that Goebel and not Taylor is en-
titled to the goyernorship.
The Army Biii.-It is said that Sem
ator Cockrell's avowed intention to con-
tinue his fight on the proposed increase of
the army 10 its present proportions has
caused the Administration to abandon its
original purpose of urging the desired leg
islation al this session of Congress. The
Currency and the Ship Subsidy bills. il is
stated, are regarded by the Administration
as enough new legislation for the party to
carry on the eve of the Presidential cleo
tion. A proposition 10 permanently in
crease the army to 100. 900 men and officers.
or even TO perpetuate the present strength
c. 90. 600 enlisted men in the regular estab-
lisbment. would add weight to the argu-
ments against imperialism" the Repub-
lican managers fear, and would have its
effect in the campaign next year. In view
OF the fact that the military strength OF
the country is now adequate to the probable
requirements. and that this strength is as
sured until July. 1901. the Administration,
for obvious political reasons. will not 1t is
stated on good authority ask Congress this
winter for any additional army legislation.
At the next session. it Ia said. the PROPOSE
tion of an increase of the regular estab-
lishment to 100000 men and officers of the
line will be urged with all the power of the
regardless of whether or
not Mr.. Mckinley is reelected.
For Rivers and HarbOrs.-Despite
the positive announcement of Chairman
Burton that the River and HarbOr Com
mittee would approve no appropriation
bills at this session, IL is said that an ef-
fective combination has been formed dur
ing the recess OF Congress that will force
through some small appropriation. The
comprises both Republican and
Democratic members. whose districts are
especially interested in river and harbor
The leaders are said to be
Major Pierce OF Missouri, and Mr.. Roden-
berg of Illinois. for the Republicans, and
Messrs. Ball and Kleberg Of Texas and Mr..
Sparkman of Florida for the Democrats.
A City's Shade Trees.
{From the Forester.1
Municipal tree planting on a grand scale has
been advocated by the mayor Of Philadelphia to