Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 September 1898 — WASHINGTON LETTER. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON LETTER.

(From our regular correspondent.) It is said that (Jen. Scofield’s refusal to serve as a member of the investigating commission resulted in a stormy scene between him and Mr. MoKinley. It is certain that when Gen. Scofield left the White House, after he had finally and positively declined to serve on the commission, the old gentleman was in a towering passion. * * * Some of the Connecticut republicans who helped defeat John Addison Porter for nomination for governor are not disposed to let tne matter end there, but will try to get Porter ousted from his position as secretary to the president. Porter says he will not resign. It remains to be seen whether nis enemies are strong enough to get him dismissed. * * *. . That the competition between the big shipyards of the country is largely imaginary when it comes to bidding Tor the construction of ships for the government, was demonstrated as usual* when the bids were opened for the construction of three battle ships, the

Maine, the Ohio and the Missouri. Contracts have been given at practically the same figures to the Union Iron Works, San Francisco; Wm. Cramp & Sons and the New Port News Company, each to construct one of these battle ships, all of which are to have a speed of 18J knots.

There is much speculation in Washington concerning the nature of the instructions given our peace commissioners, and the belief is growing that the instructions were not specific, further than to demand possession of the island of Luzon, and that everything else was left to be determined by circumstances, after the commission meets, and there is an opportunity to learn the attitude of the Spanish commissioners. In any event, it is certain that Mr. McKinley does not intend, if he can prevent it, that the position of the administration shall become known until after the congressional election. If he was certain as he claims to be that the policy of the administration would be indorsed by the people, he would be only too glad to announce that policy Defore the congressional election. * * * -Senator Quay came over to Washington to pull a few administration wires that he hopes will aid him in his fight for re-election. He admits that the present is the strongest fight ever put upagainst him, and leaves it to be inferred that he is far from being certain of winning. His opponents have been smart enough not to name a candidate against him and to adopt the general motto of “Anybody to beat Quay,” leaving the question of who shall be the candidate to be settled after an antiQuay legislature has been elected. The administration is, as a matter of rule, helping Quay to a certain extent, but Mr. McKinley would not do any worrying if Quay was beaten, provided, of course, that his successor was Wanamaker or some other republican. Quay has made Mr. McKinley feel his power too often to be cordially liked by him.

Is Mr. McKinley preparing to throw Secretary Alger overboard? Many persons t think so. Secretary Alger is the only member of the cabinet who was not specially summoned to Washington to participate in the extended consideration and discussion of the instructions given to the American Peace Commissioners previous to their departure for Paris. It is asserted that this public snub was . administered to Alger as a hint that his resignation of the war portfolio would be acceptable to the administration. Another reason given for not having Alger in Washington just now is that Mr. McKinley wished the other members of the cabinet to feel free in expressing themselves about the intended investigation of the war department, which would have been impossible with the Secretary of War present. Mr. McKinley is said to be fully convinced now that the investigation will result in finding Alger guilty of some of the gravest charges that have been made against him, and to -be fully determined to do nothing to shield Alger. Some say that he has been brought to this state of mind by evidence laid before him by military men; others that it is the result of the existing panic among the republican managers over the outlook for democratic success in the congressional campaign, and their insistence that something be done at once to counteract, the wave of indignation that if sleeping o ver the country as a result of the knowledge of the unnecesary hardships and deaths among, the i volunteers. If Mr. McKinley will really try to assist the investigating commission, which will shortly get to work, by officially stating his wish that all army officen asked to testify shall tell everything they know about the mismanagement of the war, the truth may be got at, notwithstanding the commission’s lack of legal authority to compel witnesses to testify.