Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-12-22
NEWS FROM THE
NATIONAL CAPITAL.

The President returned to the city
Tuesday, after his extended Southern
trip.
Recent Interviews with leading SEN
ators show, disposition to oppose the
suggestion that England and the Unit
ed States build the Nicaragua canal
jointly.
Representative Rixey of Virginia has
introduced bill for the admission OF
Confederate as well as Union soldiers
to all soldiers homes and government
Institutions maintained by the govern
ment.
Senator Teller and Colonel william
J. Bryan had long conference ut the
capitol Monday afternoon. Chairman
Jones of the Democratic national COM
mittee also enjoyed IN extended visit
with him.
The bill to extend the customs and
revenue laws of the United States over
the Hawaiian islands has passed the
House without opposition. The Dill
carries with 1t the civil service laws
relating to appointments In the Gus
toms and revenue service in Hawaii.
Secretary Hay was obliged to leave
the State Department mt noon Tues
day by an attack of In grippe which
he had been fighting or for some days.
The disease Is undoubtedly epidemic
in the department. as number or
other officials are similarly afflicted.
Representative King OF Utah has Sc
cured from the Treasury Department
n recommendation for an appropriation
of $5Oj.OOO for public building Mt Salt
Lake City. Seventy-five thousand dol.
lars Is for site. A similar bill passed
hp In uSt saSSipn and iS before
the House committee now.
Several Western senators. including
WOlcott of Colorado and SpOOner OF
Wisconsin. have urged Secretary Bliss
10 remain In the Cabinet. but the sec
retary replied that he would not recon-
slider his determination. and that the
President would determine upon his
successor very soon. as he hoped TO re-
tire on January LIST.
General weyler. finding himself
hopelessly unpopular with the Repub-
licans and beyond redemption In the
minds of honest folk generally, has de-
cided to go over to the monarchy. He
has made n declaration to the effect
that he and Romero Robledo will en-
ter the Liberal party and will have
portfolios in the new Sagnsta ministry.
The secretary of the treasury has is
sued circular letter of instruction to
collectors of customs. assessing coun-
tervailing duties on sugars imported
from or the product of countries paying
export bounties thereon. This action
IL taken under section of the act of
1897. which fixes discriminating duty
In such cases equal to the amount OF
the bounty paid.
r In the Senate last Monday Senator
Platt of Connecticut made an extended
argument against the Vest resolution.
He said that the power of a nation to
acquire territory was as Inherent rs
its sovereignty. The United States had
the right to govern such territory In
the best possible manner until the peo-
pie of the acquired lands We're capable
of self-government.
William j. Bryan visited the House
of Representatives Friday, and was
given a most cordial reception by his
former. colleagues in Congress. Earlier
in the day Representative Bailey of
Texas, the Democratic floor leader,
breakfasted with Mr.. Bryan at the lat
ters room, and, 1t is understood, dis
cussed in general way questions of
public and party policy.
The House last Thursday surpassed
with which 1t passed the pension ap
propriation bill. This bill in dnSs gone
by has been one of the most fruitful
themes of acrimonious partisan de-
bate but this one, although carrying
S4,OOO.OOO more than the act for the
current year, was passed In twenty
minutes without Il word of criticism.
Regarding the Nicaragua canal bill, n
correspondent writes: "rhe President
does not insist upon the Morgan bill,
but is extremely anxious to SECURE
some legislation during the present ses-
sion which will allow work to be COM
menced Immediately before the con-
tract of the Maritime company expires.
The chief objection to the Morgan bill
is based upon the provision that allows
that company the sum of $5,O0O,000 as
indemnity for the money 1t has already
expended. That amount Is believed by
many people to be excessive and there
is natural objection to paying for n
lot of dead horses.
Senator Mason has introduced in the
Senate resolution directing the COM
mittee on agriculture to inquire into
certain legislation pending before the
German Reichstag calculated to pro-
hibit the Importation into Germany of
American sausage and other meat prod
ucts, and directing the committee,
should the Legislation become law, to
rsport Immediately n bill to require the
inspection of sugars, meat, wines and
other food products which are import
ed into this country from Germany
In the House similar bill has been
reported from the committee on ngri-
culture. .Igt lHN
The secretary of the interior has de-
cided the contest as to the ownership
of what is known as the Las Vegas
grant in New Mexico. involving some
thousands of ncres of land on which is
located the town of Las Vegas. The