The Press., 1897-05-13
Washington Letter.
Washinrtnn- May 1nth

schedule, but 1t hasn't been done for some years. The sugar scandal started when the Wilson tariff bill was in the senate, and recently recalled by supreme court decision which will compel Broker Chap man, and perhaps others, to serve jail sentences, unless a presidential pardon intervenes, ought to have been enough for generation, but now the air is once more full of Iumors about the sugar trusts connection with the sugar schedule of the amended Dingley tariff bill, now before the senate. It is admitted by many who do not believe that there was any special intention to favor the sugar trust that the new sugar schedule does favor it, and that 1t, and the striking out of the clause declaring for a continuance of the reciprocity treaty with Hawaii, has been taken advantage of already to make a large sum of money by speculating in sugar. It is generally understood that many changes are to be made in the tariff bill as it now stands. Even as 1t is, the leaders are having a hard time keep ing the rank and file silent, and the task will become more difficult after the 9th of this month, when the bill will be taken up in the senate for debate. Prominent republicans of the house show no heslta- tlon in saying that the house would re- fuse to agree to the bill in it's present shape, and friends of President Mckinley say that he would veto it, if it passed as it now is. It is evident that hard tariff fight is ahead, and, surprising at it may sound, the bitterest fighting is going to be between republicans who will in the end vote for the bill.
 You cannot always tell how senator stands by the way he records his vote. It is known that several senators who voted for the ratification of that arbitration treaty were much pleased at it's rejection, and probable that their votes would have been cast against ratification had they been needed to reject the treaty.
 Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roose- velt will go to New York this week to make an investigation of a number of charges concerning favoritism and the dismissal of employees for political reasons in the navy yard at Brooklyn. MT. Roose- velt's course will be watched with even more interest by the politicians who are chased as spoilsmen, than by those who call themselves civil service reformers, of whom MT. Roosevelt has been shin- ing light. It is believed that this investi- gation will pay an important part in the contest for the control of greater New York and it's immense patronage, but which side is to be benefited is yet to be ascertained. MT. Roosevelt and his im- mediate, superior, Secretary Long, are both supposed to be antagonistic to the Platt republican machine in New York, but President Mckinley, while not giv- ing him much patronage, so far, has acted as though he were especially desirous to avoid break with Senator Platt.
 There is considerable gossip in naval circles over the plain matter in which Rear
 Admiral Selfridge, who is in command of the European station, has shown his disappointment because the secretary of the navy declined to order him to English waters to represent the U s. navy at the queens jubilee celebration. His action has been altogether unusual. When it was suggested to him by cable by the secretary of the navy that the war be- tween Turkey and Greece might make it advisable to send him more ships, he re- piled that there was ample force there, and added strong hint about his being the proper officer to be sent to the queens jubilee. Secretary Long, then cabled Admiral Selfridge positive instructions to remain where he was until otherwise ordered, and to keep in close communica- ton with the U. s. ministers at Athens and Constantinople also informing him that Admiral Miller would be sent to the queens jubilee aboard the cruiser Brook lyn. Needless to say that public opinion is back of Secretary Long in his keeping a strong naval force in the east until the fighting is known to be over, even if he had to keep naval officer out of a show in order to do 1t.
 Probably the only case of it's kind on record is the resignation from the treasury department of Mrs. Mary B. Wilcox, who, in addition to being the widow of Mis- sissippi congressman, has the distinction of having been born in the white house. She resigned because she could not do her work to her own satisfaction, because of age and feeble health. Secretary Gage was so much impressed by her statement that he accepted her resignation to take effect at the latest possible date-three months ahead-and gave her leave of absence with pay until that time.