The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-14

was done there. In my opinion, however,
the intention was TO tax the telegraph and
express companies, and not the people
who do business with them. The issuing
of bonds which was embodied in that bill,
was opposed by all of the Democrats. They
did not see the necessity of creating a
debt on which the government will have
to pay interest, especially when it is pos
sible to get along without it."
There was considerable change of SEN
timent in Congress with regard to the Ha-
waiian Islands, was there not?' Col. Les
ter was asked.
NO" he said there was no change of
sentiment. There was considerable oppo-
sition TO their admission into the union, as
there always has been. But the Repub-
licans were in favor of il and, of course,
it went through. Reed told them how
they could do it, and the case was pushed
apparently without any difficulty. The
islands were admitted as territory of the
United States, and, of course, they can be
turned into a state, whenever Congress
sees fit to take that action. That legis-
1ature of the Hawaiian Islands is an alb
solute fraud. There are a few Ameri-
cans out there who have been trying TO get
the islands into the United States for a
long time and they have at last succeed
ed 1t should not have been done"
Was there any talk about laying a
cable there?"
"None that / heard that amounted to
anything" Col Lester said, but / am
satisfied that a cable will be laid to the
islands within a short time. There was
some talk a year ago of putting a cable
out there, and now that they are a part
of the United States, 1 expect that it will
be done within a short time"
"Why did not Savannah get any
troops?" Col Lester was asked.
81 don't know Of any particular reason
why they We're not sent here" he said.
There was certainly enough talk about
II, in fact, they were talking about il all
the time, though no promises on the sub
ject were made. l was in the war depart
ment just before / left Washington, and
was told then that there might be some
troops sent here yet ] am inclined TO be-
lieve however. that If this is done, il will
be merely troops sent TO embark on trans
ports just as was the case with Charles
ton"
what was the talk about the war in
Washington"
"Oh, nothing more than you hear here
Col. Lester said. Ia my opinion the war
will last for some time yet There are
many people who are glad to see 81 contin-
ue. They are the politicians and the .on-
tractors. The successful conduct of this
war viii of course give the Republican
party an advantage, even though 1t went
nal 10 pieces on its platform in 1896. 1t has
control of The matters of appointments
and letting our contracts, as well as of the
conduct of the war itself"
What about foreign interference? ?" was
asked.
II don't think there will be any. The
other countries can't afford il. There was
very little talk of anything like this when
left there, and no such intervention was
expected. There has been talk OF peace
overturee every day, but the adminstra-
ton does not seem 10 care much whether
they come or not"
How was II that Congress adjourned
during "a war;" was asked.
"Oh, that was done by giving the Presi-
don't control of everything. Congress prac-
tically turned the treasury over to tho
President, gave him the control of APP
pointments and all other features in con-
nection with it. The President Is also en-
powered to cali out more volunteers il
needed. lie can call for 100000. If he wants
10.
Col Lester said that nothing had been
zone for the Savannah river at the recent