The Press., 1897-12-09
Washington Ietter.

Humanity Is always greater than par tisan politics, consequently sympathy for the feelings of the sorrow-strioken presi- dent Is much greater today in Washington than interest in the bustling scene which attended the opening of the session of congress. Duty is often stern, but the duty which compelled President Mckinley to leave the bedside of his dying mother and come to Washington, in order to be able to respond In person to joint com mlttee of congress when 1t called at the White House today, to inform him that congress was in session and ready to re- oeive any communication he desired to make, seemed unusually stern. Having performed this public duty, the president at once started upon his sad return to perform sadder private duty.
 Later the presidents message will be freely discussed, but today there Is no disposition to do so, either In or out of congress. It Is this sort of thing that shows the truth of Shakespeare's words-- "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin"
 It Is no longer said in Washington that the vice president has no influence with the administration. It has been truly said of numerous vice presidents, but since the present administration entered office, lt has been shown almost constant ly that the vice presidents influence is strong. The latest evidence of Mir Ho- bart's influence with the president, Is the selection of Gov. Grlggs, of N. J. to sue ceed Attorney General McKenna, who will be nominated to succeed Justice Field, who has just retired from the U. $. supreme court, after having broken the record of Service upon that bench
 The ratification of the treaty for the annexation of Hawaii isn't going to be accomplished as easily as its friends SUD- posed. Its opponents in the senate are preparing to make an organized fight against ratification, and, while they do not claim strength enough to prevent ratification on a vote, they say they can prevent a vote being taken for an indeh- nite period Their ability to do thls Is recognized by some of the advocates of annexation, who are already saying that 1t may be necessary to bring about annex ation by joint resolution, Instead of by treaty. The treaty must be approved by two-thlrds of the senate before 1t becomes law, while a majority vote in the house and senate and the signature of the presl- dent makes joint resolution law. Sena- tor Teller, whose attitude on thls question has been considered doubtful, has ann- ounced himself in favor of annexation.
 Representative Allen, of Miss. who re- ioices in the title of Private John Allen'', sums up his opinion of the session just opened, as follows: "This congress will doubtless adopt a programme of master ly inactivity. There wont be great deal doing at any stage of the session. Few stirring scenes will be enacted, and the scant contingent who would like to make things real lively In the house will be promptly squelched." MT. Allen does not pretend to have any better sources of information than others this Is merely his guess.
 It isn't necessary to favor paternalism on the part of the government to approve of the action of the post office authorities In deciding that newspapers carrying ad- vertisements of lottery schemes, under the names of"educational, ,'' '"mIssinR let ter," or other contests, should not be al- lowed the use of the mails. Such action Is In line with the overwhelming public sentiment, which long ago recognized the demoTallzing Influences of lotteries of all kinds, and caused the enactment of such stringent laws against them as to drive them out of business in the United States Lotteries are as illegal under assumed names as when conductedopenly as such
 Although Attorney General Mex Kenna's friends openly make light of the opposi- ton to his confirmation by the senate, as justice of the supreme court 1t Is known that some of them are somewhat alarmed about the protest against him, signed by two U. s. judges and other prominent lawyers at Portland, Oregon, and the re- port that similar protest Is being circu- lated for signatures at San Francisco. They charge the protest to personal en- mlty aided by the A. P. A, which they say Is politically strong on the Pacific coast. It Is not considered probable that this protest will defeat Judge McKenna's nomination, but its nature Is SO extra ordinary that 1t Is likely to delay it, until the senate judiciary committee has time enough to make an investigation for It. self.
 The demand from southern and western members for bankruptcy law Is SO strong that 1t Is likely to be effective in bringing about congressional action at the present session.