St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-02-22
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Correspondent.


istrative circles. The president has hat
q great deal of his time taken up by SEN
ators and representatives. who had varied
interests to further before congress
comes to an end.
The new secretary Of the interior, Hon
Z. A. Hitchcock, arrived early this week
and assumed the duties of his office, re-
lieving Mr. Bliss, who has been eager
ever since the first Of January 10 retire
to private life and attend to his vas.
business interests. Secretary Hitchcock
has made a very favorable impression,
and eVeRy indication is that he will make
an active and useful member Of the cabi-
net, carrying forward the work of his
department on the line pursued by Sec
rotary Bliss, which has won the ap-
proval, not only of the east, but the rep
resentatives of the great west, who are
more affected by the decisions of the in
terror department than all other sections
of the country combined.
Secretary Hitchcock will for a time
have to contend with class Of men who
have been thwarted in their efforts to
get various jobs through the interior de-
partment and will now attempt to in
duce the new secretary to reopen and
favor their schemes; but no apprehen-
sion is felt that he will not be equal to
the occasion, and will know what to do
to check this element.
Prospects of An Extra Session Dying Out,
AS the time draws nearer and nearer
for the close of the 55th congress the
anxiety Of those charged with the duty
Of looking after the enactment of Tegis-
lation that will obviate the necessity Of
calling an extra session Is increasing.
The outlook at this writing of passing
an army reorganization bill for the in
crease Of the regular troops, satisfying
10 the president, Is very encouraging,
and the condition of the general appro-
priation bills is such as to leave little
doubt that all will be passed. Both
branches of congress are working under
a full head of steam, and the friction
thus far has been less than expected.
1t is noticeable that the discussions of
a political character this session have
been less acrimonious than in former
years. and that better and more friend
~ spirit is manifested by the leaders of
both the political parties, which Is
matter for congratulation, as 1t has en-
abled needed legislation to be secured
without bitter controversies. With the
arrival of lent there was, with the single
exception of the presidents reception
on Wednesday evening, Feb %, an entire
cessation of public and official recep-
tons, and society people quite generally
breathed a sigh of relief 1t is not to
be assumed, however, that all social
functions ceased and that every one CON
nected with official life entered upon
long rest, for such has not been the case.
Afternoon teas and evening receptions
have been given up during Lent, but
these have been supplanted by innu-
merable dinner parties, which seem to
be Of more enjoyable feature to the
participants than the formal affairs dur
ing the gay" season. Many of these
dinners have been of the most elaborate
character, and some of them have cost
in the thousands Of dollars. AT one din
ner the floral decorations alone cost over
$1,000, and the dinner proper more than
ers. AS these dinners are usually given
by prominent men whose wealth runs
up we'll into several millions of dollars,
the expediture of few thousand dollars
does not cost them any worry and adds
greatly to their enjoyment OF social life
at the national capital.
Patronage to Democratic Senators.
discussion in the senate few days
ago over the navy personnel bill brought
out some interesting facts regarding
patronage or recognition extended to
Democratic senators by the president
during the recent war with Spain. Sen
ator Lindsay of Kentucky regretted that
the abuse which crept into the army APP
pointments should extend to the navy,
as professed by some senators. Senator
Tillman took issue with the Kentucky
senator and referred to "the men whom
he and / and other senators went to the
war department and begged to get into
the army last spring without ank exam
ination." Senator Lindsay said he neither
begged for them nor did he get any,
which caused Senator Tilman to say
that he thought every senator was given
place or two. Continuing, Senator Till
man said: II did not get any reward and
] did not do any begging. ! went to the
president when the war broke out and |
said, Mr.. President SO far as can judge
from your utterances you have no parti-
san bias in this matter, and / want to
know from your own lips whether you
are going to recognize those of us who
are one the opposite side in politics? p
He said, There is no politics in It, /
propose TO give every section and every
man his just proportion, provided he will
offer me good material l never went
near him any more. l simply made out
list and sent it forward"
Notwithstanding Senator Tillman was
thus recognized by the president and
given places for his friends in the army,
he says he has felt compelled to vote
against the president on every PROPOSE
ton he has sent to the senate since. The
discussion continued in the senate, dur
ing which 1t was revealed that Demo-
cratic senators made the recommends
tons for appointment of officers In the
army the same as Republican, and that
the president treated them all alike and
acted favorably upon the recommenda.
tions made. AS good many unfit men
obtained appointments it would seen
that the presidents request that the sen.
ators should offer him good material,
was not followed, and he and the secre.
tary of war were unjunstly held response
BILE to the country for all the bad appoint
ments, when the blame ought to hav,
been placed elsewhere.
Wil Not Permit False Statements I,
Go UnDoticed.
During n epanoh II, tlo io,,,ar l,ro =, II. 90