National Republican (Washington City

A Bit of Gossip Concerning Gov. Curtin's Deposition from the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Shortly after Mr. Bayard entered the State Department three well-known New Yorkers, who are all wealthy, called upon him. They remained in this city for two or three days, and were closeted with the Secretary for several hours each day during their stay here.

These gentlemen—Mr. August Belmont and Messrs. Travers and Cammack—nailed to the eyes of the Delaware statesman a nice little programme, and gave him to distinctly understand that it had to be carried out in each and every particular, or the necessary campaign funds would not be forthcoming in the Hill and Lee elections, or in 1888 either, unless it was complied with. One of the provisions was the placing of young Mr. Belmont at the head of the foreign affairs committee of the House of Representatives, and also the appointment of certain New Yorkers to fat offices abroad. These gentlemen had had an interview with the President before calling upon Secretary Bayard, and they had not been discouraged in the scheme they had in hand. Of course, the Secretary acceded to their wishes (demands), and young Belmont is now the head of the foreign affairs committee, and that old wheel-horse of Democracy, ex-Gov. Andrew G. Curtin, has received a position which he did not want, and which he will resign at once and state his reasons in a public manner. That a man of both age and experience, and who has represented his country at a foreign court, should be superseded by a youngster, is not only a surprise to the party, but it is a matter worthy of some comment and not a little thought.