Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 60, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1898 — WASHINGTON GOSSIP [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WASHINGTON GOSSIP

Representative Dockery of Missouri Id a conservative man and a Democrat. He said the other morning: <iN@ver in the world have the people of my district been unanimous on any subject until now, and every man, woman and child is for war. It’s ttte same all over the country. For myself, I deplore war, and have thought until now that some peaceful way would be offered us to solve this problem, but the people seem determined to fight Spain with or without the President, and any man who attempts t<> restrain them will be run over. If there was an election today no Candidate upon a peace platform would get 1,000 votes west of the Allegheny mountains.”' —' * * * The Red Gross Society has chartered a 4,000-ton steamer and is now loading it with relief supplies,'.for Cuba, most of which have come from the W’est. Two thousand tons of cornmeal, 800 tons of bacon, 000 tons of other preserved meats, 8,000 mu-kages of clothing, 500 tons of coffee, quantities of quinine, condensed milk, invalid foods and other supplies are being placed on board, which it is proposed to land and distribute at Cuban ports which thus far have received no relief from this country. All that has thus far been sent has gone to Havana, Sagua and Matanzas. * A * A, representative from Ohio came into the Navy Department one day last week aud said in a loud voice: “When are we going to declare war?” “Against whom?” “Spain, of, course.” “For what?” “I don’t care a --—; on general principles, any old thing will do. We have given you $50,000,000 to buy guns aud powder and now we want to hear them go off. I got forty-two letters in my mail this morning. Every one of them asked when the fighting would commence and most of the writers asked me to tender their services to the President.” * * * The war agitation has caused a lively demand for military toys and uniforms for children, and the factories where such things are made are running night and day trying to keep up with their orders. Carloads of drums, guns, tin swords, lead soldiers, miniature battle ships aud cruisers are reported shipped from New York every day to all parts of the country, and in some of the big clothing establishments all hands are at work turning out soldiers! and sailors’ suits for boys from 4 to 12 * * * Senator Cullom’s bill, which was introduced in the Senate, to strengthen the public credit, is regarded as a war measure. It provides that 50 per cent of the custom receipts shall be paid in gold, and the remaining 50 per cent in such currency of the United States as the Secretary of the [Treasury may designate. * * * Some of the humors of the war excitement in Washington are-people who talk incessantly and bravely of imaginary battles and whip Spain regularly many times a day. Street car conductors, barkeepers, lunch counter clerks and barbers haTe to bear the brunt of the battle. * * * The war vessels at Key West constitute the largest assemblage since the demonstration following the Yirginius affair, and, considering effectiveness and armament, it is the strongest assemblage of ships for other than review purposes since the war. * * * Within the next three weeks threefourths of the total strength of the American navy will be assembled on the North Atlantic station, the European and South Atlantic stations being abandoned, and all the other squadrons reduced. * * $ The war excitement doesn’t seem to interfere with the immigration to Klondike, aud at the passenger offices of all the trunk lines the clerks are kept busy answering questions and making out tickets for would-be millionaires. * * * Representative Bailey of Texas. Democratic leader of the House, will be a candidate for Speaker next summer. The height of his ambition is to succeed Thomas B. Reed, and be in a position to settle some old scores. * * * Major J. N. Morrison, assistant advocate general of the army, says the l’resident has power to order the State militia into the service of the United States at any time of emergency. * * * The spectacle of this country feeding the starving natives of Cuba and the Spanish raising $40,000 in gold by a ball in Havana for a new Spanish warship strikes harshly upon Congress. * * * A statement prepared by the pension office shows that for seven years past the pensioners of the country have paid legally to attorneys for prosecuting their claims a total of $0,510,191. •> * * Consul Dickinson, at Notingham, England, reports to the State* Department that “filled cheese” sent from America has greatly injured the cheese trade from this country. * * • The State Department has been informed that the same duties ureJituposcd on goods destined for the Klondike region as are Imposed on the same imported into any other part of Canada, * « * The Government has not relaxed its efforts to capture the murderers of colored Postmaster Baker in South Carolina. -* * * The'llouse has increased the allowance in the postoftlce appropriation bill for rural free mail delivery from $150,000 to $.'500,000. • * * Blanche I\. Bruce, ex-slave and ex-Unit. ed States Senator, was buried with a wreath upon his coffin sent by President McKinley. A special commissioner of the Postofflee Department is going to Alaska to establish an all-American route from tidewater to Dawson and to perfect the postal service.