Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-04-07
Local Items.
The Spanish Situation.

AS we 20 to press it Is probable that Pres
ident McKin!cy's message on the Cuban
question is being read in Congress.
During the past week the President has
with difficulty prevented precipitate action
byCongress, owing to the very un satisfactory
reply of Spain to the communication sent by
President Mckinley covering the Court OF
Inquiry's report on the Maine disaster.
There is faint suspicion abroad that the
rampant patriotism in Congress is largely
attributable to the fact that congressional
election is pending and that the desire to
pose as fighting patriots occasions much Of
the congressional impaticnce.
The President has thus far been able to
curb them; the wisdom of his policy in max
ing no demand upon Spain when he sent
her the Maine report has dawned upon Con
gress and the people and has compelled the
former to respect his wishes in the further
conduct OF affairs. That President Mckin-
ulny has up to this time managed this dan
rous question admirably, no fair minded
itic will deny. We believe that great ma
brity of tho we'll informed men of Europe
ccept the Maine Inquiry report at its face
alue and SPANS utter unwilingness to
eco ,nize it puts the President in strong
position and success in restraining Congress
Ilong enough to make it palpable that Spanish
pride and egotism is sufficient is sufficient to
defeat any diplomatic solution that would
bot bring dishonor to this country, will fur
her strengthen him with all the people
As we view it the President is master of
he situation, has clearly put Spain in the
position of wrong, has succeeded in cement
ug the friendship of England, thus likely
Isolating Spain in Europe. has gained the
time necessary to put the country on war
footing and now with the Maine infamy,
the Cuban inhumanlties and the De LONE
insult upon which to frame his indictment,
his past record warrants US in the belief that
|he will lay before Congress policy, wise,
patriotic and lmpregnable.
The people will stand by the President,
too, despite the fact that there are Grosven-
|ors and Baileys in Congress, whose broadcast
conception of the possibilities OF the situa-
ton is, that it affords an opportunity to talk
republican and democratic politics, the for
\ mer having said "the republican party will
DE this question and will settle it right"
na he latter, that "The administrator
cement of the matter is cowardly aud
lre" The history of the past month
bo ,ho nd
resident has little to fear at the hands
|saeh, now that the momentsus issue OF q
lbreign war 10 to be met by people, not by
4 the politicians.
SOME BILLS THAT FA1LED.-Among the
more important bills of the session of the
Legislature which failed are the following:
Those for the re organization of the police;
regulating primary elections; increasing the
cost of license in Baltimote City; regulating
the civil service of the city; the corrupt prac,
Itices act regulating expenditures by candi'
dates and political committees; creating the
offices of State auditor and examiner; regu-
latng examination Of physicians; Senator
Dryden's school commissioner bill; Senator
Days road law for Howard; requiring street
railroad companies to sell six tickets for a
quarter; incorporating the Maryland Gas
Company; reducing the price Of gas; Great
ing commission to inquire into the charges
of gas, telephone and street railroad charges
regulating the license of department stores
the local veto bill; the general local-option
bill; the neighborhood option bill; providing
for industrial and manual training schools
and reducing State taxation.