The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-06-04
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent


WASHINGTON, d. c. May, %, 1897.
When it comes to expressing their
sympathy for Cuba, or showing their
confidence In President Mckinley, the
republicans of the House stand with
the President. They know that it is
not necessary to pass the Senate
resolution declaring that the helliger-
ency of the Cubans should be recog-
nized, in order to convince the coun-
try OF their sympathy for Cuba. They
also know that the adoption of that
resolution at this time would unneces-
sarily embarrass the President, who is
working out policy that will be OF
which it is far from certain that the
recognition of belligerency would be.
This being the situation, it is not like
ly that the House will act upon the
belligerency resolution or take any
other action relating to Cuba, until
President Mckinley has had time
enough to formulate and announce
his policy. The real friends of Cuba
want more than recognition of bel
hgerency; they want to see the island
independent; and to that end they
are steadfastly working, meanwhile,
the money appropriated by Congress
for the relief Of destitute Americans
in Cuba, is being used for that purpose
by the U. S. Consals. There is no good
reason for any undue haste in taking
the next step, especially when haste
might defeat the very object sought
the ending of bloodshed in Cuba.
President Mckinley has promised to
act in short time, and republicans
are willing to accept that promise and
wait.
Republican Senators held a caucus
today, In order to smooth down little
differences as to modes Of procedure
during the tariff debate, now open.
There was a general interchange of
opinion, and, while there was no at
tempt to bind anybody, general
understanding was reached that no
time should be devoted to lengthy
speeches by republicans At the
caucus of democratic Senators, it was
decided to open their fight on the
tariff bill by moving to strike out the
entire internal revenue section of the
bill, In order to try TO curry favor with
the brewing interests. Republicans
do not believe the motion Will carry.
The Bryanites are constantly talk
ing about the increase of free silver
sentiment In the country and saying
that the result of last November would
be reversed If there were a National
election held now. OF course every
body knows that sort of talk to be
mere bluff and buster. If proof was
needed, it is furnished by the fact that
the democratic leader of the House
Bailey, of Texas-and other prominent
democrats have gone into the first
Congressional district of Missouri to
speak and work for the election of q
democratic successor to the late Rep
resentative r. P Giles. The silver
sentiment is growing so fast in the
silver state of Missouri, that stump
speakers of National prominence are
needed to make sure that the republi
cans do not carry district that lasi
November elected q silver democrat
Facts like this are more convincing
than loud talk, just as a man is always
Judged to larger extent by his &C
tions than by his words.
President Mckinley has been 30 oc
cupied with other matters that he bal
not had time to decide what to dl
about revoking the extensions of tht
civil service rules, made by Mr.. CleEe
land, but he has heard the complaint
OF many prominent republicans con
corning the injustice of the most o
these extensions and there is very lit
tie doubt that when he takes the ques
ton up, some, If not all, of these ex
tensions viii have to go. Some ide'
OF how some of these extensions ar
regarded by prominent officials, wht
know by experience just bow they ar
working, may be had from the follow
ing vigorous language used by Assist
ant Secretary Ryan OF the Interio
Department: ssThe civil service Law
has been perverted and dragged Int
mire to serve partisan ends; but eTel
that is not tie worst of 1t. A new ad
ministration has come into power
pledged to carry out policies which Il