The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-11
THE TALK AT WASHINGTON.
fBY q. al EpMARps. y

h Washington, January 7.--(Stan Special).
One of the sure enough soldiers Of the
army In the person OF Paymaster General
stanton will soon be placed upon the re-
tired list on account OF having reached the
age limit.
1t Is hoped by his hundreds OF friends
In and out OF the army that the griszled
and gritty old veteran will be advanced
from brigadier TO major general before he
is retired. II ever an army officer deserved
the promotion General Stanton does. lie
has served his country long and we'll and
is a veteran OF hundred battles with In
dams on the frontier and has experienced
lots OF hardships and many hairbreadth
escapes. There Ia none OF the tin soldier
about General Stanton. He Is the real
thing. He is as hard as hickory nut.
but as gentle as a woman. He is prime
favorite of such sure enough soldiers IS
General Miles and General D. 9. Stanley
and he is respected profoundly and loved
by the younger element who know what
fighting means.
His department Is a model that knows
not the sinuoslty of red tape He is always
kind and always assisting some poor fellow
who comes here 10 get his pay and who
doesn't know how to properly hx his
papers. Flunkies do not flourish around
him and the latch string to his door is a.
long one and always hangs on the outside.
General Stanton deserves the distinguished
consideration of the people, because there
have been no bitches or scandals or in
competency In his department during the
late war. He should go on the retired list
as major general,
~
The death of Senator Morrill, and senor
Romero, the Mexican ambassador, within
the pas. few days, and the critical illness
of Hon. Nelson Dingley of Maine recalls
the fact that great many statesmen In
the past have died during the holiday Pc
Tod in Washington. The holidays rarely
pass here without leaving a record OIL
deaths among the prominent men of the
country. Whether 1t be due to the beastly
weather that prevails here usually about
that time or to excuses committed at that
time, it would be hard to say though IT.
might be a combination OF both added to
the general unhealthfulness of Washing
ton. This Is horrid climate and the
Potomac fats pour miasmatic poison all
over the city, sowing disease germs broad
cast. II Is city where the death rate,
especially among children, is something I
terrifying to parents. One-half the men,
for the short session and were wise In |
doing so. The capital of the Nation ought
to be located in a more healthful place
and nearer the geographical center of the
country. l would like to see boom start
ed with that object in view.
49,
The big vacancies on different commit
tees caused by deaths and designations OF
prominent members have not yet been
filed. The resignation of Benton McMillln
has caused vacancy on the ways and
means committee in the democratic end of
it, also on the committee on rules, the
other democrat on the committee on rules
being Joe Bailey. l don't know who Mr..
Bailey favors for this vacancy, but the
probability is that jim Richardson will get
the plum.
The vacancy made by the resignation of
Governor Sayers is n big one on the APP
preparations committee. 1t is not certain
that n Texas man will get it, but II ono
does 1t Will be either DeGraffenreid, Henry
or Cooper. If Tom Reed appoints a Texas
man and follows the precedent of the
seniority of service In the house, of course
Cooper will get it. The chances are. how
ever, that the prominent members of the
appropriations committee have told Reed
that they did not care to break In three
new members during the remaining days
OF this congress. and he will probably not
fill the vacancies.
The embalmed beef business is breeding
a large scab on somebody's nose The
president Is very much worked up over
the revelations concerning this beef bust.
ness. He seems to be taking more Interest
in it than anything that has occurred dur. |
ing his administration and seems to be
more worried over 1t. lie is determined
1t is said, to probe the matter to the bot
tom and make an example of everybody
connected with IL In responsible way IL
the charges are proven. Even Ayers null
which has been strong enough to keep him
In the cabinet, will not serve him now IL
the president finds that he is In any way
responsible for the introduction of the
embalmed beef into the army He will.
1t Is stated on good authority, be inconti.
nontly fired from the cabinet in disgrace.
THE president" said one OF his close
friends today, realizes that the fate and
reputation OF his administration are ar
stake in this matter OF impure beef. I'm
less IL can be shown that the charges mado
by General Miles and others are unfounded
the administration VIII be ruined political
Iy, al least unless the guilt parties are
promptly punished. Mere dismissal from
office will not be enough to satisfy the
president. believe that he contemplates
taking steps to have the offenders prose-
cuted criminally, as they certainly ought
to be.
Some people sheer and say that the
whole matter Is simply a fight between
two big monopolies; that Armour Co.
are mad at not getting the contract to SUD-
ply the army with beef and are trying to
get square by attacking Swift q Co, their
successful rivals This is sheer nonsense. (