San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-12-16
WASHINGTON Gossip
BY Special Wire.

| by Special WIRE.
Washington, Dec. 16.-Democrati,
opposition to the annexation OF Hawai-
which has become so pronounced sine,
| the reassembling of Congress, is fully
| explained by the story that is beins
told among the knowing ones in Wash
| ington. According to this story, tho
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 OF
money to prevent the annexation OF
Howaii. The sugar leaders believe tC
be large enough to enable them To
elect democratic majority of the
House next year, and Democratic
president in 1900, if the Democratic
leaders can succeed in preventing the
annexation of Hawaii, either through
the ratification of the treaty or by di-
rect legislation. That is why the Dem.
ocratic 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 the annexation. But
this disgraceful deal cannot be carried
out, because the Democrats cannot
prevent 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 legisla-
ton to 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 par
ty. Mr.. Dingley did not simply make
the assertions that the revenues of the
government would exceed its expendi-
lures by at least S10,000,000 during the
next fiscal year, but backed his asser-
tons with figures which had the I'M
qualified endorsement of President Nc
kinley and Secretary Gage. No legis-
lation providing more revenue is con-
templated by the Republicans in Con-
gress, for the simple reason that none
is needed; the Dingley law is steadily
increasing the revenue and will pro-
vide all the money necessary to eco
nOmically administer the government.
The fact that seventy-two Republi-
can members of the House participate
in n conference called after they had
each signed paper stating that the
conference should consist - of such
Republican members as favor the mod
ificatiOn of the civil service law, or a
more honest enforcement of its pro-
visions, or a more certain definition of
the extent of its application, cOnvinc.
ed even the most doubling that there
is serious Republican opposition to a
continuance of the present civil service
situation. These Republicans believe
in real civil service reform, but not in
the sham article for which Mr.. Cleve-
land is responsible, which covered with
the protecting cloak of civil service re-
form, thousands of Democrats who en-
tered the public service by the dis
missal of Republicans, for no other
crime than their Republicanism. Re
duced to what they consider its legit-
innate function, every one of these Re
publican representative would vote
for a continuance of the civil service
law. but rather than see it continue in
it's present shape, they will work for
it's repeal or Gripping in any manner
within their power, and they will not
lack for staunch supporters among
the rank and file of the party through
out the country.
If this isn't the short business session
of Congress that it ought to be, the Re
publican 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 hustling.
Last week the pension appropriation
bill was reported and passed, and this
week the legislative, executive and jul
dicial appropriation bill will be put
through. The disposal of two of the
regular appropriation bill before the
Christmas recess will be on record OF
which the Republicans of the House
may we'll feel proud.
A little thing like fact never Doth
ers those who lie through choice
When Senator Hoar presented the pc
tition of some native Hawaiians
| annexation, to the Senate, the liars al
rushed statement off that Senator
| Hoar had become the champion of the
petitioners and intended to fight an
neXation. Now where do you suppos'
Senator Hoar got that petition? From
| Secretary Sherman, one of the mos
staunch advocates of annexation. L
was taken to the State department b!
the Hawaiians, and Mr.. Sherman tOlC
them he would have it laid before til,
Senate, which had the treaty unde
consideration, and he asked Senate
Hoar, as member of the committee
on foreign relations, to present it. Ey
cry day senators present petitions wit
which they have no sympathy, AM
nothing is said about it, but in this cas-
the paid lobbyists lied in order to in
press their employers with the ldei
that they were earning their pay.
TO THE CREDITORS OF NJ. RHEIN