The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent

w AodNGION, ~. u. Dec. IL, 1897
Democratic opposition to the annex
atlonn OF Hawaii, which has become
so pronounced since the reassembline
OF Congress, is fully explained by a
story that is being told among the
knowing ones in Washington. Accor-
ding to this story, the democratic par
ty has been sold by its leaders in Con-
gress to the sugar trust, which all the
world knows is willing to spend an
enormous amount of money to per-
vent the annexation of Hawaii. The
sugar trust has agreed to furnish a
corruption fund which the democratic
leaders believe to be large enough to
enable them to elect democratic ma
Jorlty of the House next year aud a
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
ocratlc Senators, with two exceptions
are all working against the ratifica-
tion of the treaty, and why the dem
ocrats of the House will this week. in
caucus, declare against 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 legis-
lation to furnish additional revenue.
OF course, everybody in Washington
knew that these stories we're purely
imaginary and that the only object in
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-
penditures oy at least $1O,0 100000 du-
ring the next fiscal year, but back
ed his assertions with figures which
had the unqualified endorsement of
President Mckinley and Secretary
Gage. No legislation providing more
revenue is contemplated by the repub-
licans in Congress, for the simple rea-
son that none is needed the Dingley
law is steadily increasing the revenue
and will provide all the money neces-
sary to economically administer the
government.
In fact that y republican members
of the House participated in a confer
ence called after they had each signed
a paper stating that the conference
should consist "of such republican
members as favor the modification of
the civil service law, or a more honest
enforcement of it's provisions, or a
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 re-
sponsible, which covered with the pro-
tecting cloak of civil service reform,
of democrats who entered
the public service by the dismissal Of
for no other cause than
their republicanism. Reduced to what
they consider it's legitimate function,
every one Of these republican repre-
would vote for cOntinu-
ance of the civil service law, but rather
than see it continued in its present
shape, they will work for its repeal or
IN any manner within their
power, and they will not lack for
stanch supporters among the rank and
file of the party throughout the coun-
try.
If this isn't the short, business ses-
sion of Congress tina. 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
Last week the Pension Ap-
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 we'll feel proud.
The S. S. Cleveland, which left San
Francisco Dec. 4 for Seattle, broke her
shaft off the Columbia river and was
blown by the hurricane to Barclay