The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1898-12-23
Washington Letter.


From our regular correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Dec. l9-The reception given
Col. Bryan by Democratic Senators and Repre-
sentatives shows very plainly thai he is still
recognized by them as the party leader. one
probable result OF Col. Bryan's visit 20 WASH
ington will he that with one or two possible ex-
ceptiuns, Democratic Senators will offer no
opposition To the prompt ratification OF the
Treaty of Peace by the Senate, they having,
al err talking the matter over, agreed with Col.
Bryan that the question of expansion was not
involved in the treaty and will not necessarily
be Effected by that document. Col. Bryan is
very emphatic III expressing his belief that we
should accord the same treatment to the
Philippines that will be given to Cuba. Repre-
sentative Swanson, of Va, goes further than
Col. Bryan in opposing expansion. He said,
while discussing Mr.. Mckinley's Atlanta
speech, in which he asked "Who would haul
down the flag" in the Philippines II am one
of the men in Dixie who would haul down the
flag over the Philippines. l would rather
establish a republic i'll the Orient than destroy
one in the Occident. The PHILIPPINE islands
should be turned loose and their people should
be allowed to establish and maintain their own
government" But there are other Democrats
who favor expansion. For instance, Repre-
a Senator, said The Democratic party will
never 90 on record as party in opposition to
expansion. We will oppose Imperialism, but
not expansion, and we will advocate giving all
persons under the sovereignty of the U. S. the
greatest degree of self-gOvernment of which
| they are capable" and Senator Sullivan said
"Col. Bryan tried to convince me that was
| wrong, but 1 firmly believe that the L. S.
should ANYTHING IL has fuirlV
| earned by war" Among other Democrats who
| openly express their belief in keeping what we
won by the war, are Senators Mongan and
Money Representatives Berry, of KY, and
| Livingston, of Ga. There are many Democrat
who decline taking ground either for agar st
| expansion until it can be- officially learned what
| Interpretation the administration intends to
put upon the term.
| The Democrats of the House, who solidly
| opposed the measure, are gratitied at their Sue
| cess in defeating the bill for the incorporation
| of an international American Bank. This vic
1 tory was won with the assistance of the votes
| of some Western Republicans and the absence,
| when the vote was taken, of others. The vote
was las to 1903 Representative Dngley, the
| Repu blican floor leader could not conceal his
chagr:n at the defeat of the bill. The Senate
bill, incorporating this bank, is in the hands of
| the House Committee on Banking and Curren-
| cy, ard when it is reported to the House, the
| fight may have to be made over again.
| Representative RiXey, of Va. fully endorses
| the opinion of Mr.. Mckinley, that the govern
| ment ought to help take care of the Confed-
crate dead, and goes further, by advocating its
| helping to take care of needy living Confeder-
ate soldiers. He has introduced bill provid-
ing that all MANNED, crippled and needy soldiers
and sailors, who served in the Civil War, shall
| be admitted upon the same terms to all Soldiers
| Homes and other institutions wholly maintain
ed by the L. S government.
| The Senate Committee on Privileges and
Elections has referred the charge of bribery
made against Senator Hanna. by the Ohio
Senate, to Il subcommittee, composed of Sena-
tors Hoar, Spooner and Turley, for invcstiga-
ton and report. There will be Il white-wash
report from the majority of this subcommittee,
and that will end the matter so farU this com
mittce is concerned.
a joint resolution for the usual two weeks
Christmas recess of Congress has been reported
from the House Ways ana Means Committee,
and it will bc promptly adopted. Congress
! very seldom turns down an opportunity for a
holiday.
+ The Investigation commission viii take a
Christmas holiday, although for anything it is
accomplishing, it might just is well take per
mancnt holiday. The next prominent wtucs;
ii will hear will be Gen. shafTer. The Commits
4 sion has been having II little trouble of its own
| Half of its force of stenographers went on
strike, because they said they were tired o.