Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1899 — WASHINGTON LETTER. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON LETTER.

(From our resrular correa Don dent.) At last, War Department officials admit the troth as to the situation in the Philippines; that more fighting and lots of it is ahead of oar troops; that the alleged Peace Commissioners of Agninaldo, who were feted and entertained in Manila by our Civil Commissioners, polled the wool over our men’s eyes and not only goLthe time they wished to prepare for more fighting, but gathered valuable information as to the number and condition of American soldiers, which they have been able to put to good use in the aggressive fighting of Aguinaldo during the past week. There is no more talk of volunteer surrender on the part of Aguinaldo. It is now admitted that he has got to be. whipped into submission, and that it will not be 'an easy job, by any means, unless a much larger army than the thirty-five thousand men now being provided for is placed under the command of Gen. Otis.

There is a rumor afloat that Mr. John R. McLean, of Ohio, who also has a home in Washington, intends to establish a daily paper at the national Capital, which will support Col. Bryan for President and advocate free silver; also that Mr. McLean would like to run on the ticket with Col. Bryan. * * * It is not surprising that the administration should have quietly overlooked the break made by Prof. Haupt, a member of the present and of the last Canal Commission, in confirming the geneial impression that influences strong enough to thwart the almost unanimous wish of the people of this country, had been successfully used to prevent the building of the Nicaragua canal, and even to prevent the publishing of the report made by the last commission, which is said to contain a scathing exposure of some of Jthese influences. The subject is chock fulof political dynamite, and the administration was afraid of it. Therefore, instead of calling Prof. Haupt down for his too truthful exposure of a National scandal and firing him from the new Commission, the administration got him to write a letter saying he had been misquoted by the newspaper that printed the exposure, and was glad to let it go at that. The new Commission met last week, authorized the appointment of Committees, and adjourned to meet again, in Washington, July 6th. * * * There isn’t the slightest doubt about the position of Representative Lentz, of Ohio, on national issues. He said of the National outlook: “The only thing that can keep Mr. Bryan from being President of the U. S., is for the Hanna democrats and the Hanna republicans to prevent his nomination. They are now scheming to bring about that consumation, but they will hardly succeed. lam for

Bryan in 1900, and a repetition of the Chicago platform, with some additions. I favor the election of U, S. Senators by direct vote, and also hope to see the initiative and referendum mode a part of our govermental system.” * * * A prominent Ohio republican has been telling party tales out of school. He said of • the fight on Senator Foraker, by H. H. Kohlsaat, editor of the Chicago TimesHerald, which has caused so much talk because of the close personal relatione known to exist between Mr. McKinley and Mr. Kohlsaat; “I have absolute personal knowledge that the assaults made upon Foraker, in the Chicago TiruesHerald are the result of an understanding between . its editor and Senator Hanna. The latter said at the Columbus convention, after Foraker had declared against the Hanna Machine, that he proposed to get even with him, and would resort to any means that might bo necessary to down him. Foraker’s term in the Senate will expire in 1903, and Hanna intends to prevent his re-election. I am thoroughly convinced that Mr. McKinley is familiar with every move made by Kohlsaat against Foraker. I would not say that Hanna is paying Kohlsaat out of funds of the Republican National Committee, for making war on Foraker, but those who know Kohlsaat best say that he seldom does anything without being in some way rewarded for it. Hanna has bought Boss Cox, and if he will stay bought, there Vill be serious trouble foi Foraker in the Cincinnati end of the state.” . - *** One of the most valuable witnesses who has testified before the Industrial Commission, since it tackled the trtists, was Mr. P. E. Do we. President of the Commercial Traveler’s National League. He presented some startling figures. He said the formation of *V * g

trusts would throw 35,000 drummers out of work and reduce the pay of 25,000 who would keep their jobs, which would mean a loss to the men in salaries of $60,000,000; a loss to the railroads of the country of $21,000,000, and to the hotels of $28,000,000. Mr. Dowe gave details of the number of men knocked out of places by recently formed trusts, and read a list showing the absurdity of the claim that the general tendency of trusts was to lower prices. This list, which was obtained from drummers recently in the trades named, showed the following increases in price directly traceable to trust control: Iron Pipe, 100 pei cent, Tin and Enameled Ware, 33 per cent, Brass Goods, 60 per-cent, Chairs,3o percent, Rubber 14 per cent, Tin Plate 30 per cent, Newspaper ito cent a pound, Book paper 5 to 10 per cent, Common Soap, 25 to 50 cents a box, Flint Glass Bottles, 10 per cent, Clocks, 6 per cent, Metu Goods, 25 per cent, Brushes. 124 per cent, Combs, 74 per cent, and Ribbons 10 per cent. In the few cases in which trusts have reduced prices, it has been done, not to benefit the consumer, but to drive out competition.