The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-03-27

From our regular Correspondent ]

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 ound scowling at
each other, ready to quarrel and fight
every time one of them says word in
favor of his candidate. This is all
tommyrot. There never has been
contest carried on with friendlier words
than the present, up to this time.
Every one of the candidates for the
nomination has friends in Congress
who lose no opportunity to talk up the
fitness of their man, and it is common
to find in group of half dozen re-
publlcans the champion OF three or four
candidates, but the discussions are all
thoroughly good natured. There is no
Safeguarding. Every one is willing
to concede that all the other candi-
dates are good men, but of course, his
is the best. 1t is doubtful if single
case could be given of a republican
member of either branch of Congress
saying word derogatory to candi-
date for the republican nomination,
although every one of them is pulling
all the wires at his command to elect
delegates for his choice. The Senate
divided the past week between talking
about Cuba aud Col. Dupont's claim
for seat in that body, and incident
ally heard !; four hour anti-adminis-
tration silver speech from Senator
COckrell, of Mo-
With the exception of unseating
Robbins of the fourth Alabama district
and listening to rather startling eX-
posure of democratic methods in that
state, the House has been devoting
itself TO the appropriation bills.
Senate committees have been au-
thorized to make favorable reports on
Senator Mitchell's resolution to amend
the constitution so as to provide for
the election of Senators by direct vote,
and Senator Gears bill for the admis-
sion to statehood of New Mexico.
There is little doubt OF the animosi-
ty of the administration towards Gen
eral Miles. Mr.. Cleveland only gave
him the promotion to which he was
clearly entitled because he could not
deprive him of it without such mani
fest injustice that even Mr.. Cleveland
would not be guilty of. Now this an
imosity has been shown in a new way.
Secretary Lamont has written letter
to Senator Hawley, Chairman of the
committee on Military Affairs, against
the bill which has been introduced in
both branches of Congress, to revive
the grade of General of the
Army for Gen. Miles. There would
have been nothing improper in the adj
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. Sco-
field; but there is no question about
it's having been improper for Secretary
Lamont to imply that he opposed the
bill for no other reason than that he
did not consider Gen. Miles worthy of
the distinction. However, Gen. Miles
ought to be able to stand that sort of
thing if the administration can.
Neither Chairman Bahcock, OF Wis.
nor vice chairman Apsley, OF Mass,
had any opposition for their old posi-
tions on the Republican Congressional
Campaign Committee. Nor did they
deserve to have any. Their work in
the last Congressional campaign has
never been excelled for thoroughness.
How thorough it was may be judged
from the fact that just week before
the election of '94, Chairman Babcock
wagered fine supper for nine news
paper men that the republican MEM
bership in the House of the fifth-fourth
Congress would exceed 232. At the
time it was thought that Mr.. Babcock
made the wager solely for political ef-
feet. But he didn't. He made it on
the close canvass of every congression-
al 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 244. He proposes
that the committees work shall be
lust as thoroughly done this year.
Col. S. L. Howlette, who has been
more than casually mention as the re-
publican candidate for Governor OF the
State of Washington, is visiting the
National Capital. He says OF politics
at his home: "Washington is easily
U. S. Govt Report
r.