The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-06-13
FROM THE NATIONS CAPITAL.
From Oar Dion Correspondent.


The real attitude Of the Republican
party towards tho antitrust bill passed
by the House with such flourish of
trumpets the other day, was shown in
the Senate on Monday, when Senator
Pettigrew tried to get immediate action
taken upon it. The bill, of course, was
never intended to become law and
was passed in the House only to enable
the Republicans to pick thefat pockets
of the trusts this fall, with the inten-
tion of allowing it to die after tho
election was over. But Mr. Pettigrew,
who really favors the bill, asked that
it be placed directly on the calendar of
the Senate (from which it could be
called up at any mOment), and not to
be referred to @ committee ut all. This
caused q sensation among the Repu bli-
cans, ald Senator Gallinger, Of New
Hampshire, at once objected and asked
that the bill be referred to the proper
committee. Thereupon Pettigrew ask
ed for yea and nay vote. This threw
the Republicans into panic. They
did not dare to vote against such o
motion and they coulG not afford to
vote for it, for it is not by the passage
of the bill that they can bleed the
trusts for campaign funds, but by
holding it over their heads. At the
last moment, Senator Allison came to
the rescue, moving that the Senate 60
into executive session. Such a motion
takes precedence over. everything else,
and with joy in their hearts the Repub-
licans acceded to the suggestion, leav-
ing the antitrust bill hanging in the
air, where it will remain until the DEM
ocrats get into power, when they will
nase @ genuine act, which will really
control the trusts, instead Of merely
bleeding them.
The administration called Rathbone's
bluff, insisting that he shall not leave
Cuba at present. 1t was the only
thing it could do, in view of the open
ness of his threats Of exposure if he
were interfered with. But it's safe
bet that he will not be punished after
all. From later revelations, iG appears
that Mr.. Smith, the Postmaster Gen
eral, is nearly as much to blame as
Rathb0ne, so far as neglect of duty
went. From source, the authenticity
Of which cannot be doubted, il is learn
ed that upon the presentation of the
first report of Director General Roth
bone in January Last, the Postmaster
General YVES surprised atithe enormity
OF the expense account, and promptly
wrote that official to begin system Of
retrenc nchment and reform. in order that
the expenses might be Immediately re-
duced= But ske tlenti.s Eens s;y anu 10
reports ever came. Until the explosion
occurred, the Postmaster General had
never received single later report
from Rathbone. To write to an official
having unlimited control of as much
money as Rathbone, that his accounts
were out Of order, that he was too ex-
tgavagant, and that he must retrench,
and then let months go by without
hearing from him, and without taking
any eteps to find ont whether the in
structions were being ebeyed or not, is
surely as gross negligence as can we'll
be imagined. Mr. Smith denies that
he had the order increasing RathbOne's
salary dated back three months, end
says that the increase was made on;
June 10, 1890. and q 1st.esaE that sh.ll.ss date
notified General Rathbone and dis
tinctly stated that the per diem of So
Per; day wonld be discontinued. Yet;
the Postmaster General did not take
a o TOR soff 49, L 1~sz