Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1898 — WASHINGTON LETTER. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON LETTER.

(From our regular correspondent.) The ease with which Mr. McKinley compelled Spain to cease its dilly-dallying and accept the terms offered by this government, as soon as he himself got down to business, shows that the treaty of Peace might have been signed a month ago hail the administration made proper use of its power. The inference is plain that the delay was allowed because it suited the plans of the administration. * * * That portion of Secretary Long’s annual report, which treats of the destruction of Cervera’s fleet, is so thoroughly full of Sampsonism that it has disgusted many who had not heretofore believed in the existence of the clique in the Navy Department, which started out with the determination to exploit Admiral Sampson as a hero, at the expense of Admiral Schley, regardless of facts. If Schley didn’t do any more than Long’s report credits him with, why did Mr. McKinley make him a Rear Admiral?

Senator Hale makes it plain by his talk that he intends to join Senator Hoar in opposing the ratification of the Philipines. Whether there are other republicans who will oppose the treaty, is not positively known, but unless there have been some recent changes, there are a sufficient number of democrats who will oppose it, to make it almost certain that no attempt will be made to bring the treaty to a vote during the life of this Congress. After March 4th, it is expected that the two-thirds vote can bo controlled in the Senate, which can be called in extra session for the express purpose of disposing of the treaty, without calling an extra session of the House, if Mr. McKinley so wills it. * * # Senator Cockrell, of Mo., has returned to Washington to remain during the session of Congress. He thinks there will be very little new legislation at this session; that the important business accomplished is likely to be confined to the regular appropriation of bills, a river and harbor bill, enough army legislation to meet emergencies, and a bill providing a government for Hawaii. Senator Cockrell is opposed to our taking permanent possession of the Philipines, although he fully approves of their being taken away from Spain. He says we should aid the natives to establish an independent government, to be under our protection until able to stand alone. Speaking of the political outlook, the Senator said: “The democrats are not downcast at the result of the election. The heavy republican losses show the strength of the democracy and indicate that the next general election will return the party to power.” * # * Lobbyists are swarming to Washington because of the impression that the administration will seek to get Nicaragua Canal legislation through Congress. The President of Costa Rica, which claims a right to be consulted in the matter, is in Washington as an official guest of this government ;4a representative of Nicaragua is also on the ground. Representatives of the old canal c.ompany, which by its greedy demands, has done more than any one thing to prevent legislation in the past, are on hand to demand compensation for what it claims to

have spent, and the agents of tha New York syndicate, which claims to have a brand new canal con- . cession are putting out feelers to ascertain what prospect they hare of getting some money for it. In addition to all these interests, there is a lobby employed by the French company, that is now at work on the Panama canal, for the purpose of trying to prevent action by Congress looking towards the construction of the Nicaragua canal.

Representative McMillan, who was recently elected Governor of Tennessee, by a majority of thirtyfive thousand, will not resign his seat in the House until about the first of January, as he will not bo inaugurated governor until after that date. There has been some talk in Washington about the probability of his being elected to the Senate, if he desires to be, although it is known that Senator Bate, whose term will expire next March, is a candidate for re-elec-tion. Mr. McMillan pleasantly, but positively declined to discuss the subject. He was asked what he thought of the republican assertions that the silver question is dead, and said in reply; “It is not even sleeping.” It is a live issue and it will be the pivot upon which the National Campaign of 1900 will turn. As long as there is heavy taxation, heavy indebtedness of individuals, corporations and government, and vast commercial transactions requiring a large volume of currency, the question of the extent and nature of our currency will be undecided. It wilL be a live issue until it is settled to the satisfaction of the mass of the people. I see that Senator Thurston says that in the west no attention was paid to the Speakers who endeavor to discuss silver. I am afraid helistened only to the speakers who were on his side. I know that in Tennessee—and what is true of Tennessee, is, I believe, true of the entire south—the silver question is still uppermost.