Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1899 — WASHINGTON LETTER. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON LETTER.

eidewhtrtheT*thef war should be continued, ft may mean an end of the war, and it may be only a trick of Agninaldo’s to gain a little needed time to pot him in a better condition to continue the wan but it is just as well to wait Mid see whether Aguinaldo accepts the terms of peace offered by Gen. Otis aa an ultimatum-—uncondi-tional surrender and amnesty for the Filipinos—before rejoicing. Of course, everybody, the supporters as well as the opponents of the administration policy in the Philtongues, wishes to see the fighting, 4$ which the country has become very tired, cease over there, ft is admitted that Aguinaldo is no fool. In fact, his proposition itself would prove that. If Gen. Otis had recognized the Philippine congress, he would have of■mplly admitted the existence of the Philippine government, and that admission would have queered the administration policy. Perhaps that may have been all that Aguinaldo was after. A little patience and we shall know. * * * The hint has been passed around among the western members of the House that the HannaMcKinley candidate for speaker, will be a Western man. There is much curiosity to know why that was done so early in the game. There is only one eastern candidate —Sherman, of N. Y.—who is thought to have any chance at all, and he is understood to be Mr. Reed's choice. Perhaps that explains it. Hanna may have thought it necessary to drop that

hint to head off any democratic members who might be inclined to place their votes for Sherman, or it may have been put ont as a bluff to try to make Sherman pledge himself to stand by the Hanna-McKinley programme, if given their support. Henderson, of lowa, and Hopkins, of Ills., are the most actively pushed of the Western candidates, but many doubt whether either of them will get the Hanna-McKinley support. One somewhat disgusted republican said: “The trusts will name the next speaker. Quite a number of gentlemen imagine that they are making a canvass for the place, but they will find that they are mistaken. Sometime this summer, the representatives of the trusts will get to together, in New York, or some other convenient place, and settle the matter. After the meeting is called to order the chairman will ask what is the business before the meeting. ‘The naming of a Speaker of the House of Representatives’ will be the response. Different names will be considered and finally, after due deliberation, the gentlemen will take a vote. SOmeotte will be selected, and he may acjfc be anyone whose name has been previously mentioned for the place. His election, however* will be assured. See if my prediction is not fulfilled.” That isn’t a .picture to be proud of, but such things have been done before by the same crowd. . j / • Mr. McKinley’s friends are

alarmed at reports of defections among Western republicans, which have reached Washington. That thfese reports are not without foundation is shown by the statement of Mr. W. 0. Newman, a life-long republican, who is the agent of the Cattlemen's Protective Association, of Montana, and who has been sent East to see if something cannot be done to revive the once \ prosperous foreign cattle trade. | He said; “If the administration i had come out boldly and allowed an * open and honest investigation of f the meat scandals, it would have | created the impression abroad that • this country was sincere in its es- $ forts to furnish the best of meat to * the domestic and foreign consum- * er. As it is, it will require years * to overcome the prejudice the ad- ■ ministration’s unvise action has t caused. A great revulsion of feeling has taken place in the West u ithin the past few weeks. I recently attended a semi-political meeting of ranchmen and farmers in Southern Montana, and/ unless something unforseen takes place,

the administration’s attitude will imperil Mr. McKinley’s support by the Western states at the next National convention. The backbone and sinew of the republican party in the West is thoroughly disgusted with its present national leaders.” •* * A Commissioner of Pensions, Evans doesn’t seem to be greatly worried because the Kansas G. A. R. asked for his removal and the appointment of another Commissioner “who will execute the laws in accordance with the true spirit whioh prompted their enactment.” Speaking of the matter, Mr. Evans said: “1 did not make the laws. They are the same which have been in existence since 1890, and I am governed by-them. The pension burean is an immense business. We have nearly a million pensioners on onr lists, and the office is managed with the greatest possible generosity towards the old soldiers, bat, at the same time, we must consider the interest of the tax payer. Decisions have been made affecting the entire country, and it may be that they have applied more generally in Kansas than in other states.” ■ * Including the $20,000,000 paid to Spain, through the French Ambassador, the Treasury deficit for April was $24,088,437. The report of the Military Court of Inquiry has been in the hands of Acting Secretary Meikleiohn of tne War Department for two or three days, awaiting Mr. McKinleys order to be made public. - J ?. .. , ■,.... . 3i. > i . A *. * w.'