The evening times., 1898-12-31
GENERAL PoEIrICAL GOSSIP.
Next Week 1t the eapito,.-wh.

nS4t Week At tAt NSfR4h1ss-N neil
the Congress reassembles next week the
centre of interest for the time being will
be transferred to the big white building on
Capitol Hill. The President, it is said,
will send the Paris Peace Treaty to the
Senate promptly at noon on Wednesday.
1t Will be Immediately referred under the
rules to the Foreign Relations COMMITTEES
and will not be considered by the full Sen
ate in executive session until it is reported
back from that committee, which under
ordinary circumstances, would not be for at
least couple of weeks. There are many
reasons which in the Judgment OF the Pres
ident and his advisers make it highly i'm
portant II not imperative for the Treaty to
be ratified promptly. The situation in the
Philippines is most critical, and our Gov
erament will be seriously embarrassed in
its movements i'll that quarter until the
Treaty is acted on. It is understood that
the President has been consulting with the
members of the Foreign Relations Com
mittee with view of having all formality
waived and the Treaty reported back TO the
Senate within twenty -four hours from the
time of its receipt by the committee. This
would be unusual if not unprecedented.
but it is pointed out by the friends OF the
Administration that the situation IS extra
ordinary and fully warrants this action.
Mr.. McKinley's friends are confident that
the Foreign Relations Committee will give
heed to the Presidents wishes in this mat
ter, but they are not so hopeful OF prompt
action when the Treaty gets before the full
Senate However, they are hoping for the
best, and in the meantime the strongest
kind of pressure will be brought to bear
TO bring any bucking Senators into line.
The slogan of the Administration Will be:
Let us ratify the Treaty first and talk
about expansion afterward.'
hon tong -oi n
Republican Senator to day, '.are pledged
TO vote for the ratification of the Treaty.
Our greatest danger now is delay. Every
day the Treaty remains unacted upon will
add to the complications in the East and
handicap our Government. Prompt action
by the Senate now, or rather when il
meets, may save the sacrifice of good
many lives and the expenditure of great
deal OF money. This fact Will be duly i'm
pressed upon the Senate, and if in the
face OF such a state of things there are
any Senators who persist in Ia king
against time just in order to staye of
vote ON the Treaty they will be compelled
to take the responsibility for their ac-
tion. Their names Will be published to
the world. 1t seems TO me that public
sentiment will be so strong that it VII
force the opponents OF the Treaty TO yield
to it. The President hopes to hare the
Treaty ratified by January 10 if Losib.e.
II the kickers act reasonably this can be
accomplished
The army reorganization bill is the most
important thing on the House. calendar
from the Administration point of view.
Prompt action on this measure is desired
to enable the Administration to go ahead
and muster out the volunteer troops. The
full measure OF the opposition 70 the Hull
bill will probably be taken before the
House has been in session for many days
1t has been intiniated that the Administra-
ton is prepared to make concessions ON
this measure II by doing SO it can obtain
quick action.
Colonel Denny on EmbaImed Beef.
THE Commission" said Col. DENLY. vice
chairman of the Alger Relief Workers, this
morning. will investigate thoroughly Gen.
Miles charges regarding the character of
the beef sent to Porto Rico for the use OF
the soldiers of tbs American army. This
matter has got beyond any personal con-
siderations. The existence of big in
dustry of this country is practically at
stake. Unless Gen Miles charges are re-
futed effectually the chances are that
American canned meat will be excluded
from every country in Europe. That would,
of course, mean serious loss to every
canned beef Industry in the United States.
Gen. Miles is quite sweeping in his
charges. The Commission will do its best
to ascertain the exact truth regardless of
| consequences to individuals.
This beef controversy" Col. DENLY
added will delay the Commission some
what in finishing up its work and submit
ting its report We are engaged on our
report now and / think that We will be
able to complete it before the end of jan
, uary. | think that 1t will be ready by
January 20. No, we do not contemplate
going to Cuba or Porto Rico. 1t was
found not to be necessary. We have taken
easy task to sift it down and extract the
wheat from the chaff.''
Col. DENLY expressed satisfaction that
the work of the Commission was drawing
to close One of his friends said The
Commission has had a thankless Job. 1t
has been abused from one end of the
country TO the other. Probably il the
Commissioners had realized Just what
they were getting into they would have
refused to serve. When they make their
report. however, l think that all fair
| minded people will admit that they have
performed their work conscentiously and
that it is not so much OF a white wash
commission as many persons have imag-
ined. Public opinion on the Commission
should be suspended until after it has
made its report. That is all that l care
to say at present"
RAILROAD BUILDING ABROAD.