Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-05-12
WASHINGTON LETTER,
n Im Our Regular Correspondent.

Commodore Dewey would win a victory
with the AsiuJic squadron, but he cx-
ceeded expectations by wiping out the
whole Spanish feet, capturing Manila,
and practically tho whole group OF the
Philippine Islands, victory that
writes his name high up on the roll 81
the worlds naval heroes, and that will
make the battle of Manila harOOr figure
in song and story as long AS brave and
daring deeds arc honorpd among men;
and That has already given him an adj
miral's dag. The Official report of tho
battle Of Manila has been received, and
it is report OF which every American
has u right to be proud 1t will DO re-
C lived alr over the world as an unans-
werable tribute TO the fighting quality
OF American sailors, and It's effect VIII
be seen for years to como in increased
respect and uCfCreuC paid to the stars
ana stripes by all foreign nations.
Commodore Dowey's victory IS not the
only cause for rejoicing in Wash ngton.
1t Is known THAT orders have been is
sued, the exact nature of which -
known TO few but which it would DO
both injudicious and unpatrlotic TO
make public now, which there is every
reason to believe will result in crush
ing blow 10 Spain as was the loss of its
AslaJiU feet and Of the PuIll pine Is
lauus. There Is u gen raj feeling that
the lighting IS TO be pushed now and
the war fought 70 Il speedy and Wiotori-
GUS close. That IS certainly the lnJen-
ton Of the administration and of Com
gress, Porto Rico, Cubs, tho Spanish
navy, all are marked as our prey.
Tue Postmaster General issued very
significant order this week. 1t pro-
yldes for the establishments Of postal
service in the Cuban port first occupied
by the u. s., and appointed a spec al a.
gent to Organlz tine service, and that
special agent has been authotiz upon
his arrival with tue mail at sucA port
in CuUa rs may first be occupied by the
U. s., to rent suitable quarters for
handling tue mails, if they caanJt DC
furnished free by the military authori-
ties
Orders have been issued r. curing all
army offices TO wear the uniform Of
their rank at the places where they
may DO stationed. These orders VIII
| facilitate tbs business OF tho War De-
partmenJ and Navy Department in va
rlous ways, ami Will b Of much servic5
TO business mon having dealings viii
those departments TO know tue differ
j ence between the officers attached to
/ those departments and tue civilian en-
| plOyes AZ a glanct. 1t Will also save
army and navy officers who are un-
/ known to the employees whose duty 1T Is
To watch every person WHO cnJgrs the
/ building the annoyance Of being held
up unul tney have been identified.
! 'I.tR &nnnIt. INtpurpA rom m ttpA gave
Sc, rotarirs Gage, Long, anu Algur i'm
poss ble tasks w perform IN asking
them to furnish the committee with ac-
curaCo estimates Of what the war will
cost. The best that any man can do is
TO guess, owing 10 Tho uncertainty as to
Inc length Of The war Secretary Gag
es' guess was that the war expenses IuI
the fiscal year beginning July l, next,
provided Of course tue war continued
that long, woald be about 5000, 00Q, 900
Secretary Algcr thought about half oil
that would be needed by tho War De-
partment, and Secretary Long said ht
would do some figuring before submit
Ting his guess. $40, 200, 900 will have
been spent on account OF the War be-
fore July l. Meanwhile the finance
committee is trying to agr on tue re-
port to be made on the war revenue bill
passed by the House last week. An a
greement my be reached at any time
but it will not be surpris ng If the bill
is not reported to the Senate until mex
week. The clause for the issue o.
bonds is being bitterly fought. but 1t is
the opinion both of Is opponents and
supporters that it will be left in the
bill.
The President doubtless offended a
few people prominent in the politica
and social world when no announced
that under no circumstances would ht
give a generals commission in the vol
unteer army to a man who had not hac
experience as a soldier, but he pleased
thousands, ana his action VIII make
him new admirers all over the country
among those who believe that the prin
cipal business Of a volunteer army is t
fight aud that it should be Differed BY
men who know how to conduct that bus
mess. 1t is only those in Washington
who know of the enormous pressure
that has been brought to bear in fayo
of the wOuld-be parlOr generals, VIII,
can fully appreciate the backbone dis
played by the President in turning thu
whole crowd down for good and all. 0
the eleven major generals whose noml
nations have been sent to tho Senate
all, except four OF the majDr generals
are officers 10 the regular army. Tot
four outsiders named for major gener
ais are all men who have brilliant mill
tary records in the late war-Senato
Sewell, of n. j., and Gen. James II
, Wilson, Delaware, representing the I'm
ion army, and Gen. Fitzhugh L0e, o
Va, and G-n. Joseph Wheeler, Of Ala.
representing the southern army.
The following conversation occurred
at the White House between ex-Sena
tor Butler. OF s. c., who has beer
strongly recommended for a commission
IN the volunteer army, and Sccrotarl
| AEer: Alger--.low is your healtl
nov, Butler? Your look as young a.
/ you did twenty years ago Butler
/ "Wull, an that / can say is that 1 secur
led q SiO.O increase in my life insur
ance fow months ago, aud the exam
lining surgeon says / am good for TWEEN
Ity-lvo years yet There Is one thing
lc-rtain, ] cannot take the yellow fevel
Iin this exhibiting bis wooden les
with a Chuckic; "yOu Yankees filled it
PREDECESSOR full 90 lead in The late war
aud have the bullets with me now aN
souvenirs" Gen. Butler is past SIKH
| wears old. hut So fs Commodore Dewey