Middletown transcript., 1897-12-18

! ! !. ! ! : :. : ! !. ! ] !. |
- II position to the
| Ia in " annexation o E
| VA tHAA Hawaii, which
~ has become so
~ III pronounced since
I#H the reassembling
| NIIS of Congress, is
-. fully explained
So by story that is
being told among the knowing ones in
Washington. According to this story, the
Democratic party has been sold by its
leaders in Congress to the sugar trust,
which all the world knows is willing to
spend an enormous amount CT money
to prevent the annexation of Hawaii.
The sugar trust has agreed to furnish
corruption fund which the Demo-
cratic leaders believe to be large enough
to enable them to elect a Democratic
majority of the House next year and
Democratic President in 1900, if the
Democratic leaders can succeed in pre-
venting the annexation of Hawaii,
either through the ratification of the
treaty or by direct legislation. That is
why the Democratic Senators, with two
exceptions, are all working against the
ratification of the treaty, and why the
Democrats of the House will this week.
in caucus, declare against annexation.
But this disgraceful deal cannot be car
| ried out, because the Democrats cam
not revent the annexation of Hawaii.
Chairman Dingley's emphatic state
ment in the House about the prospec
tive revenues and expenditures of the
government, disposed of the whole
batch of Misrepresentation as to Re-
publicans seriously considering legis-
lation ito furnish additional revenue.
OF course, everybody in Washington
knew that these stories were purely
imaginary and that the only object in
circulating them was to discredit the
administration and the Republican
party. Mr.. Dingley did not simply
make the assertion that the revenues
of the government would exceed its ex-
penditnres by at least 10000. 600 dur
ing the next fiscal year, but backed his
assertions with figures which had the
unqualified endorsement of President
Mckinley and Secretary Gage. No
legislation providing more revenue is
contemplated by the Republicans in
Congress, for the simple reason that
none is needed 1.-THE Dingley law is stead
lily increasing the revenue and will pro-
vide all the money necessary to eco
nomically administer the government.
The fact that 70 Republican MEM
bers of the House participated in q
conference called after they had each
signed paper stating that the confer
ence should consist ''of such Republi-
can members as favor the modification
of the civil service law, or more hon-
est enforcement of its provisions, or
more certain definition Of the extent
of its application" ;" convinced even the
most doubling that there is serious Re-
publican opposition to continuance
of the present civil service situation.
These Republicans believe in real
civil service reform, but not in the
sham article for which Mr.. Cleveland
is responsible, which covered with the
protecting cloak of civil service reform,
thousands Of Democrats who entered
the public service by the dis
missal of Republicans, for no OF her
cause than their Republicanism. Re-
duced to what they consider its legiti-
mate function, every one of these Re-
publican representatives would vote for
a continuance of the civil service law,
but rather than see it continued in its
present shape, they will work for its
repeal or crippling in any manner with
in their power, and they will not lack
for staunch supporters among the
rank and file Of the party throughout
the country.
If this isn't the short, business ses-
sion of Congress that it ought to be,
the Republican leaders of the House
are fully determined that no blame
shall be laid at their doors. Since the
first day of the session they have been
hustIing. Last week the pension APP
preparation bill was reported and
passed, and this week the legislative,
executive and judicial appropriation
bill will be put through. The disposal
of two of the regular appropriation
bills before the Christmas recess will
be record of which the Republicans -
of the House may well feel proud.
A little thing like fact never
bothers those who lie through choice.
When Senator Hoar presented the pst;-
tion Of some native Hawaiians, against
annexation, to the Senate, the liars al
rushed statement off that Senator
Eoar is the champion OF the petit
tioners and Intended to fight nnnexa-
tion, Now, where do you suppose S8na-
tor Hoar got that petition Prom Secra-
tary Sherman one Of the staunchest adj
vocates of annexation. 1t was taken
to the State Department by the Hawa-
iians, and Mr.. Sherman told them he
would have it laid before the Senate,
which had the treaty under considera-
tion, and he asked Senator Hoar, as
member of the Committee on Fereign
Relations. to present it. Every day
Senators present petitions with which
they have no sympathy, and nothing is
said about it. but In this case the paid
lobbyists lied in order TO impress their
employers with the idea that they were
EARNING their nav