The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1895-03-22
Washington Letter.

Washington. d. c.. March. 10, 1856
President Cleveland returned 10 Wash
ington, and Secretary Gresham resumed
his duties after ten days sickness. lust
in time to give Spain a lesson IN inter
national courtesy, by forcing her to her
knees a. an apologist for the action of
the commander of a Spanish cruiser
who didn't have any better sense thAu
to fire on a United States mali steamer
in the open sea. en- route from Colon to
New York, merely because ne had Il sus-
piciou that there might toe supplies for
those engaged in the Cuban revolt on
that steamer. Senior Muruaga, the
Spanish minister, tried 10 get his coun~
try let down easy by hastening 10 the
department of state ahead Of the Off
Cial notification that the flag of the
United States had been fired upon. and
saying that Spain would apologize if any
Offeuse or indiScretiOn had been com
mitted 10y the commander C the Spanish
cruiser. That minister Is smart, ne Is
He hasn't forgot the last time Spain had
to 90 down on her marrow bones and in
addition to give up good Spanish gold
for her failure TO pay proper respect to
that same United States flag.
Attorney General Oiney may or may
not be personally opposed to an income
tax, but if he Is opposed it Is certainly
not upon constitutional grounds, or he
could not nave made the great and mas
terly argument he did this week, before
the supreme court, in favor OF the con
stitutiOnal right Of congress to impose
an income tax. Mr.. Oluev Is no orator.
in the popular conception OF the word,
but there was a confidence in the tone
in which he talked in plain, matter Of
fact. straightforward way 10 the court.
showing that Il decision against the con
StitutlOnaity OF the income tax would
reverse no less than five previous deCi-
sIOnS of the supreme court. (which WAS
far more convincing to ordinary minds
than the tricks OF oratory resOrted to Dv
some Of his opponents. The supreme
court took two weeks recess to day, IN
order TO prepare decisions in this and
other important cases. Should the de
ciSiOn be against the income tax the
Treasury would be very much embar-
raised on account Of the consequent loss
of revenue, and an early extra session oi
congress might have To be called. Al
ready nearly $50, 900 income tax has
been paid into the treasury.
EX Representative McAleer, came
over from Philadelphia this week to in
vte the president, vice president, sev
eral members of the cabinet and some
other prominent gentlemen to attend the
annual St Patrick's Day banquet Of the
Hiberian Society OF that city, an organ
izatIOn which ante dates the revolution.
10. l.
Friendly Sons of st. Patrick On It's
membership rolls are the names of Gen
George Washington. Gen. Anthony
Wayne, who was at one time us pIe,i-
dent; Robert Morris, the great finaucier
and others of national reputation. Its
present president IS Mayor Stuart of
Philadelphia. Nearly every president Of
the United States has been a guest of
this society.
Secretary Herbert very readily under
stands that all of our naval officers, and
their families, would ike to visit kiel.
as the official guests of the Emperor Of
Germany. and take part in the cercmo
MES, which Will doubtless be elaborate
and enjoyable, in connection with the
formal opening of the Baltic and North
oea Canal; but he also understands that
business always comes before pleasure.
and for that reason there Is no prOba-
blhty that the great pressure, social and
otherwise, brought to bear upon him to
add other ships to the San Francisco and
the Marbehead. which have been or
dered to attend the canal opening. will
be successful. There are more important
reasons for keeping our ships elsewhere.
Senator German celebrated MS fifty-
seventh birthday this week, and few
men of forty are more spry. Among
the souvenirs OF the occasion was "A
handsome ivory handled, gold mounted
horse whip, presented by one of his
Washington admirers who knows the
senator's fOndneSS for driving a
double team. The senator and his
family Will not 90 to Europe, as has
been stated, but expect to spend the
summer travelling through California.
and probably extending the trip as far
as Alaska, returning in time for the
senator to take an active part in the
campaign in Maryland.
1t is expected that the new arrival in
the Cleveland family will put in an ap-
pearance before the close of spring.
The family will prol ABLY remain in the
White House until that important event.
although 1t has been their custom to
spend the spring and early summer at
their suburban residence But what
mother would care to leave the White
House under such existing circumStan
ces. N.