The Press., 1898-01-27
Washington Letter.
Washington, Jan. "a, 1897

washington, Jan. "A, 1897.
There Is an air of expectancy around
the capitol and among visitors to the
white house-of1cial visitors. Cuban
matters came dangerously near to reach
ing q crisis last week, through action of
the house on the belligereney resolution.
It required all the power Ct the admin
stration and If Speaker Reed to keep
the republicans In line, and if Chairman
Hit, of the house foreign committee, had
made his speechin which he virtually stated
that the administration stood ready to
respond with armed vessels when ever
Consul General Lee pressed the button,
they might not have succeeded. The
nerves of congress are on edge, SO to
speak. The attendance is unusually
large in both branches, and the oppost-
ton leaders arewatching each other. The
number of consultations the president has
had with prominent members of his party
also indicates the probability Of some
move on his part.
Owing to the Teller resolution, the
senate will not devote much time to the
annexation treaty this week. Its fate is
still In doubt.
Judge McKenna, whose nomination
was confirmed last week without roll
call, will be sworn in as an association
justice Of the supreme court, on Wednes-
day, and If the senate acts upon the nomi.
nation of Gov. Griggs, to which there is
no opposition, in time he will assume the
duties of attorney general on Thursday.
It Is not believed that President Nc
Kinley will allow himself to be swayec
by the schemers who have candidates
whom they wish to succeed the late Hon
Benjamin Butterworth, commissioner o
patents, whose death was so generally
lamented. He knows the valuable work
done by Mr.. Butterworth, in reforming
criminal abuses in the practice of paten
attorneys; also, that acting commissions
Greedy was an important factor in tina
work, second, in fact, only to Mr.. Butter
worth himself. Others regard Mr. Creole.
as the logical successor to Mr.. Butter
worth, and 1t is believed that Mr.. Nc
Kinley also so regards him.
The Teller resolution, declaring U.
bonds to be payable in silver dollars, a
the governments option, is now being
discussed by the senate and will be voteC
upon Thursday of the present week, and
of course, adopted. When it goes to tn
house, it will he smothered in committee
The country will doubtless be glad tina
the financial debate on this resolution
will be SO short. 1t will probably get al
the financial discussion it wants and mucl
more, In the coming congressional cam
paign.
II bill which has been favorably re
ported to the house becomes law, frs
class mail matter will not be forwarde,
after the first of next July, unless tn
postage is fully prepaid. At present
two-cent stamp on letter will insure 1t
being forwarded, no matter how much tn
postage may be, the government depend
ing upon collecting what is due, before
Is delivered. liz
Instead of reporting bill, the hous
civil service committee has started t.
giving public hearings to all interested
That Is what the senate committee ha
been doing since the extra session. A
far as the house committee is concerned
this Is regarded as merely move 70
time, In order that it may be seen ho'
rules which Mr.. Mckinley has decide
upon will go. Perhaps the fact that tn
committee has been unable to agree W
on the details of bill may also have ha
something to do with these hearings.