The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-12-31
WASHINGTON.
From our Regular Correspondent.

Ihere is no more probability that
the independence of Cuba will be rec
ognized by the United States during
President Cleveland's administration
than there is of Grover Cleveland be
coming president of the Cuban repub-
lie, and, unless Mckinley is misrepre-
sented by Republicans who are sup
posed to enjoy his confidence, the
present policy will be continued by
him until there is some decided change
in Cuba. The resolution for the in
dependence of Cuba which has been
reported to the Senate will, of course,
be made the basis of lot of speeches
when Congress reassembles, but more
of them will be devoted to the claim
OF the ADMINISTRATION, that the Presi
dent alone has the power to recognize
the independence of a nation, than to
Cuba or anything connected with the
unfortunate island. Whether a vote
on the resolution itself will be had be-
fore the expiration of this Congress is
a matter of doubt, but not of much
Importance, as it has already been
given out by the Republican leaders
of the House that the resolution will
not be allowed to come before that
body at all. The constitutional ques
ton involved in the claim of the ad.
minlstration is an important one, and
one upon which men who are regarded
as able lawyers differ regardless of
politics, and the debate upon it will
be in no sense partisan. There is
practically no precedent, though sew.
eral have been cited as having a bear
ing upon the claim. And after all,
nothing short of a decision of the
United States Supreme Court will be
accepted as settling it.
Senator Morgan, Of Alabama, has
never set up for wit, but if he gets
off a few more flashes like his answer
to Senator Vests inquiry as to the
meaning of that clause of the Presl-
dents message dealing with the Pa
ciic Railroads, the title will be forced
upon him. Mr.. Morgan was urging
action to protect the people of the
Pacific coast from those railroads, or
rather from the men who control them,
when Mr.. Vest made his request.
Turning like a flash, the Alabama
Senator said with depreciatory ges-
ture: snow IN all Egypt there was
only one man, and he was divinely
inspired, who could interpret the
dreams of Pharaoh. The Senator
ought not to ask me to interpret the
Presidents message. If any man is
capable of interpreting the message it
is the Senator from Missouri"
Among the members of the House
who did not go home to spend their
Christmas are number of Republi-
cans who were reelected to the next
House, and who prefer to stand their
office-seeking constituents off with
letters which do not commit them, in
stead of meeting them face to face and
being compelled to commit themselves.
The little postmasterships are espe-
cially troublesome to the Represent
atives-elect on account OF the numer
Gus applicants for them. For instance,
one Representative from New Jersey
has received among other applications
for single postoffice in his district,
one from each of three men who were
delegates to the convention that nom
mated him and who took active parts
in his campaign.
The Government isn't expecting
war with Spain, but if war comes it is
going to be as well prepared as posi-
BILE for it. A secret meeting Of high
naval officers was held in Washington
a few days ago for the purpose of pre-
pairing a complete program, offensive
and defensive, that might be carried
on by our present navy if there should
be war at short notice, and such a
program was prepared and is now in
the hands of Secretary Herbert.
1t is as true to-day as it was when
written by Macaulay that "Where'er
ye shed the honey, the buzzing flies
will crowd" There is going to be
honey shed by the Republican tariff
bill, and the flies, in the shape of
those who are anticipating benefits
through protection are already crowd
ing Washington hotels, preparatory to
telling the Republican members of the
House Ways and Means Committee,
at the hearings which are to begin
next week, just how much interest
they want on their campaign contri-
buttons.
Representative Barham, of Califor-
MIA, thinks the Pacific Railroad fund
ing bill, which is to be considered by
the House for the four days beginning
January 9TH, can be defeated. He
said: "If we can get enough time to
show the whole thing up, am salts
fe6 that many votes will be changed.