Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-23
Washington Letter.
From our Regular Correspondent.

10 arrive at the truth as to the cause
OF the catastrophe. Congress is going
ahead with its routine business, the
senate is discussing the annexation
treaty and appropriation bills and
the house the bankruptcy bill,
but there is one object uppermost
IN the minds of senator's and repre-
sentatives-the Maine. Public inter
est has passed from the apology Of
Spain for the de Lone letter to the
Maine. Perhaps if the treachery of
the late Spanish minister. now on his
way home in disgrace, had not been
so fresh IN the minds Oh the public,
there would be less suspicion that
there was Spanish treachery connect
ed with the loss of the Maine and so
many of her crew. The president
and members Of his cabinet are 10th
to entertain such q suspicion in the
absence OF direct proof, and are doing
everything possible to cause the
public to suspend it's Judgment pend
ing the Investigation now being made
for the purpose of showing whether
the explosion which wrecked the
Maine was on the outside or inside
Of the vessel, and consequently
whether ii MAS caused by accident or
design. President Mckinley, as a
mark OF respect and sorrow for the
loss Of life ythe sinking Of the Maine,
abandoned the two official receptions
that were to have been held at the
white house this week; also ordered
flags half-masted
Attorney General Grlggs, in his
answer o the senate resolution ask
ing whether be had authorized An
agreement by which the Kansas
Pacific railroad would be sold for
$6,624,17O less than the indebted
ness Of that road to the government,
and if the government had agreed not
to be a bidder at the sale, said:
Answering specifically the questions
contained in the resolution of the
senate, | would say that | have not
authorized an agreement by which
the property is to be sold for the
face value Of the subsidy bonds, nor
has the government agreed not to be
bidder at the sale. The only agree
ment was to discontinue the motion
for pOstponement, redemption and
the appointment Of a receiver, upon
the guarantee that the minimum bid
by the reorganization committee
should be the principal of the govern
ment debt. The property will be
sold at public sale by oper competi-
ton to such party as may offer the
highest bid, subject only the stipu-
latlOn obtained in open court, that
the minimum bid will be Sc, 1903, 900,
instead Of 50, 100000, as formerly
fixed by the court" There beng on
ly one bidder the road was sold for
the minimum bid.
Livingston, editor Of The Detroit
journal, who is now in Washington,
laughs at the Democratic claims con-
corning his state. He said: "The
Republicans will not lose single con
gresslOnal district in the state. |
would not claim that free silver is an
entirely dead issue in Michigan, but
1t Is absolutely true that the senti-
ment in its favor is much weaker
than it was in '96. Our people have
experienced fair degree of prospect
ty and they ale satisfied that under
a Republican administration the
country is infinitely better off than
under the free trade and free silver
Democracy"
Representative Babcock, of Wiscon-
sin, who has for the third time been
made chairman Of the Republican
congressional campaign committee,
is not believer in Drag AS a political
factor. Consequently his opinions
upon the political outlook, which
have so often been justified by the
results at the ballot box, always
carry great weight. His assertion
that nothing is required to secure the
! election OF Republican majority Of
the next house but hearty and intel
| ligent cO-opera ton with the congress
slonal committee on the part of the
local Republican organizations
throughout the country, means bust
ness, and, as there is no reason to
doubt that sucn cooperation will be
freel y extended, 1T also means the
election of a Republican majority of
the next house. The political amaIga-
nation OF all the elements that sup
ported Bryan, as evidenced by the
addresses issued this week by the
national committees of the several
parties, In support of the impossible
the free coinage Of silver at ratio
Of 16 to 1, by this country alone-in
the congressional campaign will help
rather than burt he Republicans, be-
cause it will bring to the support OF
the Republican candidates every man
who believes in sound currency and
a sound public credit, regardless ofhis
previous political utilization. The
first test will be in Oregon, where the
congressional elections are held in
June.
Ruby Lips-And clear Fcomplexion, the
pride Of wOman-Have you lost these charms
through Torpid Liver, Constipation Bilious
ness or Nervousness? Dr.. Agnews Liver
Pills will restore them to yOu-40 Little