Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 February 1899 — WASHINGTON LETTER. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON LETTER.

(From our regular correspondent.) Hon. V. C. Holman, a prominent Maine democrat, who has been looking over the political field in Washington, said among other interesting things: “It would not surprise me to see a permanent rupture among the republicans in the near future, as an outcome of which Gen. Miles, Senator Hoar and Speaker Reed will be found lined up in vigorous opposition to the President, Secretary Alger and Senator Hanna. In such a schism would lie the democratic opportunity.” * * * Senator Tillman got in a good joke on Senator Lindsay, when he interrupted the latter’s argument in favor of abolishing the two year’s cruise that is now a portion of the regular course of the Naval cadets, by repeating the old time verse beginning, “Mother, may I go out to swim,*’ Amidst the laughter of the Senators and the occupants of the galleries, Mr. Lindsay declared it was the best speech he had ever heard Mr. Tillman make, and then proceeded with his own speech. * * * There are few democrats in Congress who are opposed to our paying the $20,000,0CK) to Spain wnich the treaty of peace calls for, as most of them recognize it as a treaty obligation which must, be paid. After the rdling out on a point of order of the Nicaragua

point to be raised flue amendment providing Jjor this appropriation, for it to receive the same treatment Two unpytt bills have already been introduced making this appropriation, one by Mr. Cannon and one by Mr. Gillet. The latter’s bill also contains the McEnry resolution, which tbe Senate adopted last week. When a vote is taken on this appropriation, there will not be half a dozen democrats recorded against it, although the democrats are all practically opposed to the permanent retention of the Philippines. The prompt payment of this money is a question of national honor, not of policy. * * •

The scheme to make this government pay a private company a subsidy of SIOO,OOO a year far 20 years for the use of a Pacific cable was thought to have been knocked out sometime ago, but it is an deck again as an amendment to the Sundry Civil bill, proposed by Senator Frye. It cannot be knocked out in the Senate on n point of order as the Nicaragua Canal bill was in the House, nor can the same tactics be followed in the House when the bill goes back with Senate amendments. That is why the Senators who are trying to get the Nicaragua Canal bill through have had what is practically the Repbum bill added to the River and Harbor bill, as an amendment. They have not undertaken an easy job as it is understood that Czar Reed has declared his intention to prevent Canal legislation, no matter what has to be held up to do so, but the Senators are confident of getting the best of the Czar, who is said to oppose the Canal, only because he is unwilling that work be begun upon it under the McKinley administration. * * * According to a statement made by a member of the Court of Inquiry, which this week begins the taking of testimony on the embalmed beef charges, the Court regards itself as sitting as a CourtMartial to try Gen. Miles on the charge of lying, although without authority to pass sentence should it find him guilty. No other construction can be placed upon this language, used by the member of referred to: “We look to Gen. Miles to prove his allegations. We have no concern as to the witnesses as to that side of the inquiry, and it is incumbent upon Gen. Miles to secure and produce before us those whom he expects to establish his case.” In other words, the Court believes Gen. Miles guilty, but will give him a chance to prove otherwise. Gen. Miles will produce sixty-odd officers who reported from the field against the beef issued, including Gov. “Teddy” of New York, and the proof will be made so hot that it is like to Secretary Alger and other officials as well as the beef contractors. <;;;

* « * There is some talk of a compromise on tne Army bill, which is now before the Senate, but it is not coming from democrats. Senator Cockrell, who reported the democratic bill to the Senate, says that measure will give the administration temporarily, all the troops it can possibly have any need for, and that further than that he and his democratic colleagues are not inclined to go. It is believed by many that the semi-repudiation of imperialism made by Mr. McKinley in his Boston speech was intended to help the Hull Army bill in the Senate. This may or may not be true. Democrats in Congress were glad, of course, that Mr. McKinley, should have disclaimed imperial intentions, but, believffeg the saying that acts count for more than words, and having their wits about them, they fail to see the point of the disclaimer, while be insists upon having at his command a large standing army, and refuses to accept the democratic offer of pftemporary force large enough for his admtted intentions. The Hull bill provides a large number of juicy plums in the shape of commissions for civilians in the regular Army, and the attempt is being made to get democratic and populist support for the bill by offering big chunks of this patronage to Senators. This week is likely to determine whether the bill can be passed or not.