Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1897-01-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Senator Sherman to Be a Cabinet
Officer.
The Pacific Railroad Settlement = viclss-
burg Battle Ground - PIatts Return
TO Senate - Free Homestead and
TariT Bills Under Way, Etc.

TO Senate - Free Homestead and
TariT Bills Under Way, Etc.
(From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, jan, lSth.-Con-
gratulations have been showered
upon Senator Sherman since he re-
turned to Washington and made the
formal announcement that he had
decided to become Secretary of
State under President Mckinley,
and congratulations have also been
wired to Major Mckinley on his sue
cess in getting so able and expert
enced man for his Secretary of
State. The great business interests
of the country will welcome the
selection of Senator Sherman for
this important post, because his
well-known conservatism is guar
antee that while the foreign policy
of the Mckinley administration will
be firm and strongly American, it
will not be tinged with the disturb
ing element of jingoism-it will
maintain the rights of American
citizens abroad. just as its internal
policy will protect Americans at
home, but it will not get up war
scares for political effect, which dis
arrange all branches of business
and add to the timidity of capital.
The corner stone of the Mckinley
administration will be confidence,
and no one thing could have made
that palmer to the country then the
choice of Senator Sherman to be
Secretary of State Mr.. Sherman's
resignation as Senator viii not take
effect until the close Of this session
of Congress, as he is deeply inter
ested in matters which may be leg
islated upon by this Congress. Be-
sides, it would not be good policy to
have vacancy in the Chairman
ship of the Committee on Foreign
Relations at this time, as there is
no certainty that the Senate, as at
present composed would allow the
Republicans to name his successor.
The Republican steering Commit
tee of the Senate has given the
Nicaragua Canal bill the right of
way in the Senate. A similar bill
has passed the Senate several times,
and there is little doubt that this
one will pass, but it's chance for get
ting consideration in the House is
not considered especially good.
Senator Gear has reported his bill
to the Senate for the appointment
of Commission to be composed of
three members of the Cabinet to de-
termine upon just and equitable
settlement of the Indebtedness of
the Pacific Railroads to the Govern
ment, together with unanimous
report from the Committee on Paci-
fic Railroads, of which he is Chair
man, in its favor. The fate of the
bill is dependent upon favorable
action by the House on a similar
bill, as it would be a mere waste of
time for the Senate to pass it until
assured of the attitude of the House.
Mean while the legal officers of the
government are getting ready to ap-
ply to the Courts for an order fore
closing the Mortgage.
Col. Fred d. Grant, representing
the Army of the Tennessee, and
Gen. S. b. Lee, of Mississippi, repre-
senting the Confederate Veterans
Association, made joint argument
before the House Committee on
Rules for the setting apart of day
for the consideration by the House
of the bill for the Purchase of ground
around Vicl-sburg, in order that
future generations may see the bat
tle-ground and study the maneuvers
made by Gen. Grant, which resulted
in the capture of what was known
as the Gibraltar of the Confederacy
Gen. Grants first really great
military achievement. Speaker
Reed, who is Chairman of that Com
mittee, told the gentlemen that in
asmuch as the bill carried an appro-
priati0n, it could not be considered
from sentimental standpoint alone,
and that the committee could not at
the time make a positive promise.
The return of Hon. Thomas G.
Platt to the Senate by the New York
legislature, recalls the remarks
made by himself and Senator Conk-
ling, when they resigned from the
Senate. Mr.. Conkling said; This
ends me so far as politics is con-
.cerned. shall never again allow
the use Of my name in connection
with any political of6ce. am done
for all time with the game Of poll
tics" Mr.. Platt said; Il win re-
enter politics at this very moment
and stay in until / die--maybe to
get even with certain perhdious
'seoundrels who have deceived us,