The Press., 1898-07-14
washington Letter.
washington. July II, 1898.

washington Letter.
washington, July II, 1898.
The destruction of Cevera's feet, and
the pending surrender of the Spanish at
Santiago has made peace talk very pre-
valent in Spain, but upto this time there has
been no official word from Spain on the
subject. Members of the diplomatic corps
say that the peace talk is being encourage
ed by the Spanish government, as ''feel-
err of public sentiment, in both Spain and
this country In administration circles,
It Is said that nothing short OF a request
from the government of Spain, will cause
this government to name its terms OF
peace-they will not be named to any
other government acting for Spain-and
that nothing short of an absolute and I'M
qualified acceptance of those terms, will
cause the slightest change in the plans for
the further crushing of Spain's power. 1t
is stated at the navy department that the
feet of Commodore Watson will start for
Spain this week, and that the campaign
against Porto Rico is to be pushed ahead
as rapidly as possible. Some think that
peace is in sight, but those who know the
Spanish character best, say that some
more whipping will be necessary to bring
it about The whipping will be done all
right, as fast as the opportunity is given
our boys In fact, our soldiers are only
afraid that peace will be reached before
they have all had an opportunity to do
some fighting.
Congress came very close to adjourn
ing in the midst of fight on the floor of
the house, between members. Fittingly
enough, the would-be belligerents were
Cannon of Ills, and Ball of Texas. Cool
or headed men succeeded in keeping the
Cannon and the Ball from getting at each
other, until they had a chance to cool down
a little, thus escaping a disgraceful scene
that would have been witnessed by hun
dreds ofschool teachers from every section
of the country, who are in Washington in
connection with the National Education
al convention, and who crowded the CALLER
les at the capitol, to witness the closing of
the session of congress. Representative
Cannon withdrew his remarks from the
record and apologized for having called
Representative Ball a liar, but Represent
alive Ball did not withdraw the language
that provoked the epithet. The whole in
cident was based upon tempest in a
teapot" started by the attempt of Repre-
sentative Handy, of Delaware, to have the
house order stricken from the record, a
portion of speech made by Represent
alive Ray, of New York, which reflected
upon Representative Champ Clark, OF
Missouri-an attempt that failed.
Unless some persons in Washington are
very badly informed, Gen. Miles has nc
idea of roughing it in Cuba, or in the cam
paign against Porto Rico, which he is to
command and which Is to be at once begun,
unless the Spanish really ask for peace in
stead Of just talking about it. On the
contrary, his headquarters, which, accord
ing to this information, will be on the
magnificent passenger steamer, 'Grande
Duchesse", will have even more elegant
and luxurious surroundings than were con-
tanned in the private car in which he and
his staff made that inspection trip to Flori-
ds, several weeks ago. The headquarters
of Gen. Miles will remain on the steamer
until the campaign is over, if those who
gave out this information have go. things
as straight as they think they have, and
the steamer carries large supply of the
sort of provisions that are usually only
furnished at high priced hotels.
The session of congress that came tt
such an abrupt end after the senate adopt
ed the resolution for the annexation o.
Hawaii, was one of the most important
ever held. 1t appropriated 1851 1888 ,09t
for the prosecution of the war, but it did 6
great deal more than legislate for the war
as may be Judged from the fact that i
appropriated for other purposes $3.50, 739,
S96, making a grand total appropriated
for all purposes, of 1892, 527 1891, a larger
amount than was ever before appropriated
at single session. In addition to the an
nexation of Hawaii, the following import
ant laws upon subjects not connected with
the war, were placed upon the statute
book: A national bankruptcy law
Amendments to the interstate commerce
law, providing for arbitration of all differ
ences between common carriers and theil
employees; A commission to revise law
relating to patents, trademarks, ETC., Re
mOval of political disabilities imposed b!
the fourteenth amendment; Appropriation
to pay Great Britain the Bering SCI
award For the protection of the peopl
of Indian Territory, and for other purpos
es; An Industrial commission, to investi
gate and report to congress on the con
dition and needs of all branches of trad
and industry. Whatever else the mem
bers may be charged with, they have ce1
tainly not lacked patriotism every bit G
war legislation asked for by the admins
trstion, was promptly given.
The president lost no time in namln!
the commission, authorized by the Hawaii
an annexation resolution, to recommen
the congressional legislation made neces
sary by annexation, and to be compose'
of three Americans and two Hawaiians
Those chosen are Senators Cullom ant
Morgan, Representative Hit, presiden
Dole and associate Justice Frear, tn
last two of Hawaii.