Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1908-02-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Rsgula, Correspondent.

ing enacted in the Senate cloak
rooms and committee rooms. 1t
consists of a resolution drafted
by Senator Stone. of Mississippi,
calling on the President for infol
nation concerning the reports
that the Federal patronage has
been used to promote the politi-
cal welfare OF one OF the republi-
can candidates for the Presiden
tial nomination. Senator Stone
declines to introduce his resolu-
tion until he has assurance that
it would be passed l,y the repub-
licans. While q few of the Sena-
tors have taken seriously til e
charge of Senator Foraker that
patronage has been improperly
used in Ohio, etc., and would like
to see what the President has
so say for himself" there are, for.
tunately for them, other mem
bers of the Republican party who
have learned from them other
members Of the Republicans par
ty who have learned from expe-
rience that it is dangerous to
q amper with the man in h G
White House," an d they are as
surfing their overzealous brethren
that it is by no means a safe ex-
pertinent. Az a matter of fact,
the President would enjoy moth
ing better than the opportunity
to lay before the Senate, and par
ticularly the public, certain facts
regarding the federal patronage
which would make mighty in
terestin readin. F" There is grow
ing suspicion on the republican
side of the chamber that Senator
Stone appreciates how disas-
trous would be the havoc among
his misguided colleagues W ere
they to adopt his innocent look
ing little resolution, and the plan
may, therefore, be abandoned,
1t is considered likely that t h g
Senate will receive this informa
tion any way as the Presidential
magazine is full to the explosive
point.
Senator Cnlberson, of Texas,
leader of the minority in the Sen.
ate, made another onslaught on
Secretary Cortelyou recently. A
mong other things he charged
the Secretary and the Finance
Committee with failing to keep
faith with him in regard to Ger.
tain resolutions he had proposed
calling for information. He also
asserted that the Secretary vlo.
lated the law in five specific par
ticulars in his issuance OF Pana
ma bonds and 3 per cent Treasu-
ry certificates and is distributing
public funds in national be n k
repositories. Senator Hopkins oil
Illinois, made a brief reply declar
ing that every accusation made
by Mr.. Culberson has been an
swered in the report ofSecretary
Cortelyou.
The suspension OF Public Prin-
ter Stillings is the gossip of the
hour in political circles in Wash
ington, and the Audit System
has been suspended. The joint
subcommittee on printing will
continue its Investigation of con-
ditions in the Government Print
ing office and the methods thro'
which contracts were secured for
furnishing supplies to the print
ing Office. 1t is believed that one
OF the most salutary effects ofthe
present investigation will be the
attempt, which it is expected will
be pushed vigorously, to make it
impossible hereafter for a public
printer to have at his disposal
the whole appropriation OF many
millions OF dollars each year with
practically no safeguards. Still
ings last year received an appro-
priation OF about $5,O00,O 900,
which, added to that he had left
over from the previous year un-
expended, amounted to consider