The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-06-28
Census Bureau Jobbery.
Will Aiger be Kicked Out of
Cabinet? Other Gossip in
Washington.

some OF the snreWdest politicians IN
Washington are much mistaken, the
death knell Of Algerism was sounded
when Gov. Pringree announced his
deal with Alger to try to put the
latter into Senator McMillan's seat.
Secretary AIger. who has just re-
turned to Washington, is said to be
as mad as hornet because Pingree
gave out the deal before he was
ready to have it made public. He
wished to remain in the cabinet and
to make as much as possible of the
many plums at the disposal of the
war department, before the deal got
ont. Now, friends of Senators Nc
MILAN and Burrows say that if Alger
doesn't resign voluntarily. they have
the means to compel Mr.. Mckinley
to ask for bis resignation. Some
think that Mr.. Mckinley will 90 that
without any compulsion, not only
because of his friendliness towards
Mcmillan, but because of his dislike
for Pingree on account of bis free
criticisms on several occasions of
McKinIeyism. At any rate, every
body is again hoping that the end of
Algerism in the war department is
near.
Hon R. NJ. Finley, the popular
comptrolley Of the State of Texas. is
enjoying visit to Washington.
Asked how things were in the lone
star State, he said !: "Texas is enjoy.
ing a fair share of prosperity. The
crop prospects are fine, and there is
a greater demand for our unimproved
land than there has been for a long
time. The next census will show
that we have population largely in
excess Of three million, which in in.
telligence, morality and thrift will
vie with the citizenship of any state
in the Union. Gov. Sayres lis making
a fine record, and his administration
is popular with all classes There is
but little going on politically, and we
will not have any excitement in that
line until next year. The State is
overwhelmingly for W. J. Bryan for
president and solid delegation
pledged to him will be sent to the
democratic national convention"
Judge Nash and Boss Hanna's
man Dick were hobnobbing in Wash.
ington when news of Gov. BushnelPs
open attack upon Hanna, Nash and
Dick, and his incidental attack upon
Mr.. Mckinley, reached them. They
had intended to remain in Washing
ton until Mr.. Mckinley returned. but
all plans were at once abandoned,
and they rushed back to Ohio to
ascertain the extent of Bushnell's
following in his open revolt against
the Hanna machine Private advices
indicate that the revolt will be strong
enough to give the State to the
democrats, unless they put up a
weak ticket, which is not likely.
If there isn't job concealed in
the erection by private party of q
building for the use of the census
bureau, the signs are all deceptive.
From the day of his appointment,
Director Merriam insisted that only
building large enough to put prac
tically all of the employees of the
bureau on the floor would answer
That shut out every existing building
in Washington Then there was
talk of the bureau erecting tempo.
rary building upon government prop
erty, but the accounting officers Of
the treasury ended that BY deciding
that no part Of the appropriation for
the bureau could be used for such q
purpose. Then the shadow of the
Job became visible. Offers were
asked from owners of lots large
enough to erect the sort of building
required The only one that suited
Director Merriam was submitted by
man who became rich as we'll as
familiar with jobs while holding
Office under the old government of
the District of Columbia 1t was
accepted and lease made for FIVE
years, which is likely to be extended
to ssven or eight before the census
work is completed. at an annual
retail of $4,000. The ground upon
which this building is to be erected
has been used as coal yard for
years. the rental hardly being enough
to pay the taxes. and it is claimed
that $l0O,0 900 is to be spent in erect
ing the building Even if that
amount were to be expended, the
lease would still be very profitable
one. when it is considered that money
ls gong begging, when the security
is as good as this, at 4 per cent but
an expert who has seen the rough
plan for the building says it will not