San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-03-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent

III mlSnU DE inferred, from the
stories sent out from Washington
by those more anxious to furnish
sensational matter than to tell the
truth, that the republicans in
congress who support the several
gentlemen who are willing to lead
the republican party to victory
this year are going around scowl-
ing at each other, ready to quarrel
and fight every time one of them
says a word in favor of his candi-
| date. This is all "tommy-rOt."
There never has been a contest
carried on with friendlier words
than the present, up to this time.
Every one of the candidates for
the nomination has friends in con-
greSs who lose no opportunity to
talk up the fitness of their man,
and it is common to find in
group of half a dozen republicans
the champion of three or four can
didates, but the discussions are
all thoroughly good natured.
There is not much blackguard-
ing. Everyone is perfectly will
ing to concede that all the
other candidates are good men,
but o. course, his is the best. 1t
is doubtful il single case could
be given OF a republican member
of either branch Of congress saying
a word derogatory to a candidate
for the republican nomination, al
though every one OF them is pull
| ing all the wires at his command
| to elect delegates for his choice.
The senate divided the past week
between talking about Cuba and
Col. Dupont's claim for a seat in
that body, and incidentally heard
a four hour Observation-Disclosures
| silver speech from Senator Cock
rell, Of Missouri.
With the exception o. unseating
Robbins, Of the fourth Alabama
district, and listening to rather
startling exposure Of democrat
methods in that state, the house
has been devoting itself to the ap-
preparation bills.
Senate committees have been
| authorized to make favorable re-
| ports on Senator Mitchell's resolu-
tion to amend the constitution so
as to provide for the election OF
senators by direct vote, and on
Senator Gears bill for the admis-
| sion to statehood OF New Mexico.
There is little doubt OF the ami
mostly of the administration
| toward General Miles. Mr.. Cleve-
land only gave him the promotion
to which he was clearly entitled,
because he could not deprive him
OF IL without such manifest injus-
tice that even Mr.. Cleveland would
not be guilty Of. Now this animos-
ity has been shown in new way.
Secretary Lamont has written a
letter to Senator Hawley, chair
man OF the committee on military
affairs, against the bill which has
been introduced in both branches
of congress, to revive the grade Of
lieutenant general OF the army
| for Gen. Miles. There would have
been nothing improper in the ad-
ministration opposing this bill, al
though no further back than in the
last congress it favored identically
the same bill for the benefit OF Gen.
Schofield; but there is no question
about its having been improper for
Secretary Lamont to imply that
he opposed the bill for no other
reason than that he did not con-
slider Gen. Miles worthy Of the dis
tinction. However, Gen. Miles
ought to be able to stand that sort
OF thing if the administration can.
Neither Chairman Babcock, OF
| Wis, nor vice Chairman Apsley,
of Mass, had any opposition for
their old positions on the republi-
can congressional campaign COM
mittee. Nor did they deserve to
have any. Their work in the last
congressional campaign has never
been excelIed for thoroughness.
How thorough it was may he
judged from the fact that just a
| week before the election OF '94,
Chairman Babcock wagered fine
supper for nine Newspaper Wen
that the total republican men,
bership in the house OF
the ffty-fourth congress would
exceed 235. At the time it was
thought that Mr.. Babcock made
the wager solely for political
effect. But he didn't. He made it
on the close canvass Of every con-
gressional district which had been
made under his supervision for the
committee. When the figures were
made up, he had twelve members
to spare, as the republicans elected
pa. He proposes that the COM
mittee's work shall be just as thor
oughly done this year.
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