Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1908-02-14
WASHINGTON LETTER


Washington. D. G, Feb San
amusing bit of bypaY is being enacted
in the Senate cloakrooms and commit.
tee rooms. It consists of a resolution
drafted by Senator Stone of Missouri,
calling on the President for iuforma.
ton concerning the reports that the
Federal patronage has been used to
promote the political welfare OF one of
the Republican candidates for the
Presidential nomination Senator
Stone declines to introduce his resolu-
tion until be has assurances that it
would be passed by the Republicans -
While few of the Senators have TAX
en- seriously the charges of Senator
Foraker that patronage has bsen i'm.
properly used IN Ohio, etc, and would
like to see what the President has to
say for himself" there are, Fortunate
ly Tor them, other mem bers of the Re
publican party who have learned from
experience that it is dangerous to
"tamper with the man in the White
House," and they are assuring their
ovelzealOus brethren that it is by no
means safe experiment. As a mat
ter of fact, the President would enjoy
nothing better than the opportunity
to lay before the Senate, and particu-
larly the public, certain facts regarding
the federal patronage which will make
mighty interestin' readin'." Tier
is growing suspicion on the Republi-
can side Of the chamber that Senator
Stone appreciates how disastrous would
be the havoc among his misguided COL
leagues were they to adopt his inno-
cent looking little resolution. and the
plan may, therefore, bs abandoned. 1t
Is considered likely that the Senate
will receive this information anyway
Is the Presidential magazine is full to ,
he explosive point.
Senator CulDerson OF Texas, leader
IT the minority in the Senate, made !
mother onslaught this week upon Sec i
etary Certelyou, OF the Treasury G
Among other things, be charged the
secretary and the Finance Committee j.,
With falling to keep faith with him in .
egard to certain resolutions he had C
roposed calling for information. He 4
lso asserted that the Secretary violat-
the law In five specific particulars
q his issuance of Panama bonds and
per cent. Treasury certificates and
distributing public funds In national
ank depositaries Senator Hopkins
Illinois, made brief reply declaring
lat every accusation made by Senator !
ulberson has been answered in the re.
ort of Secretary Cortelyou.
The suspension Of Public Printer
Filings is the gossip of the hour in
,litical circles in Washington this :
eek, and the Audit System has been :
appended. The joint subcommittee !
! printing will continue its investiga-
on of conditions in the Government
rlnting Office and the methods II
rough which contracts were secured
r furnishing supplies to the printing
ice. 1t is believed that one of the y, "
Ost salutary effects of The present in. hi
stigation will be the attempt, which 70
is expected will be pushed vigorous
to make it impossible hereafter for W W
Public Printer to have at bis disposal u
9 whole appropriation Of many mil in
ms of dollars each year, with prac- pr
ally no safeguards. Stillings last Az
ar received an appropriation of be
'out S., 900, 900. which. added to what WI
had left over from the previous taI -
n unexpended, amounted to consid- fin
bly, more than that sum. Over al WI
8 money, with the exc p.ion of tho Oft
cunts which shall be paid for paper SCI Sen
Yer which Congress has control har
Public Printer is the only and final reg
tier. While there is no allegation dol
; Stillings or any other Public Prin- Dol
spent this money in an illegitimate 1 ger
/, Congressman are of the opinion dr.,
so much money should not be bot