The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-11-25
" ashingt0n Letter.
From our regular Correspondent

section of the country on the indorse-
ment given him and his administra-
tlon-One of the most remarkable in
dorsements ever given to any Presi-
dent In the middle of his administra-
ton by the voters of the country.
The big-head is an affliction unknown
to him, but the President is naturally
proud of the confidence in him, which
the reelection of republican major
ity of the House and the election of
state legislatures, which insure big
republican majority in the Senate, ex-
pressed, and anxious that his future
policy in connection with our newly
acquired territory and his recommen-
dations to Congress, shall be of such a
nature as to merit continuance of
that confidence. Ii conscientious
desire to do the right thing for the
country will enable him to do it, he
will succeed.
Having failed in the election, the
democrats have returned to their old
occupation of trying to create dissen-
sion among the victorious republicans.
they are circulating stories to the
effect that friends of the President are
trying to prevent Speaker Reed being
reelected Speaker of the next House.
There is not word OF truth in the
stories, and it is as certain as anything
in the future can be that Mr.. Reed
will be speaker OF the next House, un-
less he declines to be.
At the last meeting of the Cabinet,
the American Peace Commissioners,
at Paris, were instructed to notify the
Spanish Commissioners that this gov
ernment would call time On them if
they did not hurry up and get down
to business on our demand for the
Philippines-a demand that is un-
alterable and which must be either
accepted or refused, regardless of what
any other government may do or
threaten to do. In other words, Spain
must understand that European inter
ference. even of it could be brought
about, would not change the policy of
this government one iota.
Adjutans General Corbin, in his an
nual report, refers, to existing laws
which prevents the enlistment in the
army of persons not citizens of the u.
S. and says. "The new conditions
will. however, make a modification of
this statute desirable, to the end that
the enlistment of from one company
to a battalion of natives for each regi-
ment serving in Cuba, Porto Rico, and
the Philippines may be authorized.
The advantage of this is too obvious
for discussion.
According to the annual report OF
Commissioner-Gene t. V. Powderly,
just made public, the total number of
immigrants to the U. S. during the
last fiscal year, was 229, ,299, being L.
533 fewer than came during the pre-
vious year. During the year 5000,
who were undesirable, from one cause
or another, principally pauperism,
were debarred. Mr.. Powderly recon-
mends that the head tax be increased
from 81 to So, to provide fund to
"enlarge the bureaus operations to its
full capacity for usefulness in protect
ing American citizens from disease,
taxpayers from the imposition OF un-
lust burdens, and the hospitals, char
liable and penal institutions OF the
country from decentralization by the
corrupt citizens OF our countries"
Admiral Schley, who was one OF our
Military Commissioners charged with
the duty of arranging for the evacua-
tion of Porto Rico, is in Washington.
He brought full report of the work
of himself and colleagues In Porto
Rico, with him, and it is now in the
hands of the President. He refuses to
discuss any of the numerous sensation
al stories dealing with the relations,
both personal and official, between
himself and Admiral Sampson, but
has expressed an ardent desire to get
hold of the man who started the story
that he was democrat He says
that as a Naval Officer he has no pol
tics other than his country and does
not consider any other necessary; that
his fist and paramount duty is. to the
administration. Secretary Long has
not decided what duty Admiral Schley
will next be assigned to, but will en-
deavor to meet the Admirals wishes
after conferring with him.
| ,.rYvr soTJf;ITORS WANTED EVERY
Hwhere for "The Story of the Philippines by
| Murat Halstead, commissioned by Inc Govern Govern
~ -rent az Ofacial Historian to the War Depart
ment The book was written III army campS
at San Francisco, on the pacinc Win y eue,a1 Hna
| Merritt in the hospitals at Honolulu, 10 Hong
W =, tho rnerican trenches al Manila, IN