The Press., 1897-06-03
Washington Letter.
Washington, May a5th, 1897.

verdict of "not guilty" by direction of the judge, show plainly how senate com mittee may compel him to give informa- tion or go to jail, and the imprisonment of Chapman, light as it is, will make brokers think twice before they refuse to answer questions. Senator Alderich's statement that the only man who knew the contents of the sugar schedule of the tariff bill, excepting the members of the subcommittee that prepared it, before it was reported to the senate, was Senator Jones, of Nevada, seems to have made it incumbent upon that gentleman to say whether he furnished the information up- on which 1t has been alleged that other senators speculated In sugar stock especi- ally in view of Mir. Aldrich having added that no member of the subcommittee gave any information to anybody. The committee on contingent expenses, of which Senator Jones, of Nevada, is chair man, has decided to report the Tillman resolution of the senate, with recommen- dation that 1t be adopted. If anybody else but Senator Tillman had offered that resolution there wouldn't be the slightest doubt of it's being adopted, and there isn't much anyway. If the resolution is adopt ed, Senator Tillman will, in accordance with rule and precedent be made chair man of the Investigating committee, and he will find out something or know the reason why. There are lots of senators who do not wish this investigation made, but how many of them will vote against the resolution is yet to be ascertained.
 When the head of foreign nation objects to receiving the man nominated by the president and confirmed by the senate to represent the U. s. as ambas- sador or minister to that nation, he is merely exercising a prerogative that is re- cognized by all nations, and the minister has nothing left but to resign. Although it is denied at the state department that any official notice of objection has been received by this government from Turkey it looks as though Hon. James B. Angell, late president of the University of Michi- gan, would be victim of the persona non grata hoodoo. It is admitted by off, cials that they have knowledged of an att tempt to poison the mind of the Sultan against Mir. Angell on account of his prom thence as an advocate of the Christ ian religion, but they say that statements have been made which will satisfy the Sultan and that MT. Angell will, within two weeks, start for Turkey. He may, but the impression in Washington is, that he will not.
 The senate is making fair rate of pro- gress with the tariff bill, which is being discussed and disposed of by paragraphs. Everything has so far been quite business like, but trouble is feared when the wool and sugar schedules are reached. The republicans are so far following their steering committee solidly, and upon nearly every paragraph they have had votes from populists and upon several from democrats, and in nearly every one yet passed upon the duties have been raised. If the talk of republican senators can. be depended upon, the increased beer tax and the duty upon tea will both go, and their places be taken in the bill by an internal revenue stamp tax upon bank checks, deeds, mortgages, etc.
 Everybody has settled down to the conviction that it will be impossible to get the Cuban belligerency resolution be- fore, the house so long as Speaker Reed says no :; consequently there is decided Hull in the Cuban talk, and everybody is waiting to see what President Mckinley will do after MT. Calhonn returns from Cuba and makes his report. This reticence is said to be caused by the presidents de- termination not to allow the Spanish minister to get hint of his intentions be- fore he gets ready to act, but rumor gives a dozen other reasons for it.
 Senator Morgan caused sensational scene in the senate and was promptly called to order when he made an attack upon Speaker Reed and the house, for following out its program of only meeting twice a week. MT. Morgan asserts his belief that congress is not constitutionally in session, and that the legality of a tariff law enacted under such circum- stances may be successfully contested in the courts.