The Press., 1898-03-03
Washington Letter.
Washington, Feb. 2s. 1898

Washington, Feb. 9s. 1898
 Rally round the flag, boys! I" That Is the prevailing sentiment in Washington today, both in and out of congress. We may not have to fight, but we must show the Spanlards that we are not only ready but determined to fight, If the report Oi that naval court be that the explosion which destroyed the Maine was on the outside of the ship. The surface indica- tions all point in that direction now. Had the court discovered proof that the ex- plosion was due to an accident on board of the Maine, there Is little doubt that the facts would have been promptly com- munlcated to the administration and as promptly made public, in order to allay the excitement. As nothing has been sent to Washington by the court 1t has been taken to mean that the investigation as far as 1t has gone, shows the explosion to have been on the outside; consequent ly due to treachery, and that the court Is waiting until 1t secures the fullest proofs to that effect before making its report. Neither the president nor any member of the cabinet will admit that the adminls-
  silence of the court, but there Is no oc- casIon for any admission from them ;their official acts, im preparing for war, tell the story, and tell 1t SO we'll that congress perfe ctlyIs willing to keep quiet and al- low the administration to play the game out.
 Nine out of every ten members of con. gress, believe that war with Spain Is bound to come in the near future, either through some open act of hostility on the part of the Spaniards or by open de- claration on the part. of congress. Things seem to have gotten In such a condition that there Is no other way out.
 The personal statement of Secretary Sherman to many senators, that If the naval court reports the Maine to have been intentionally wrecked, the admin. stration will at once demand Q heavy money indemnity from Spain for the ship and for the families of the men killed has not been we'll received in congress, where there Is a very pronounced feeling against giving Spain an opportunity to settle such score with money. A demand for in- demnity, say those who oppose 1t, would be too much like assenting to the taunts of the Spanish press, that we are a nation of shop-keepers who value money above everything else. They also say that nothing but blood can satisfy such treachery as the blowing up of the Maine; but in as much as 1t Is generally believed that Spain would refuse to pay the in- demnity, anyway, no attempt Is likely to be made in congress to prevent the ad- ministTation making the demand, If 1t considered 1t best to do so. Some think that Secretary Sherman was sent to the senators to make this statement, in order to feel the pulse of congress and of the public, and that if the sentiment against demanding an indemnity Is pronounced, the idea will he abandoned by the ad- ministration. We shall soon know all about 1t.
 The sharp discussion in the house over the appropriations for river and harbor Improvements provided for in the sundry civil bill was not brought about because such appropriations were new iu that bill. but because of the knowledge oi members that there will be no river and hsrbor bill passed at this session, owing to the opposition of Sp-aker Reed. and their consequent fear that their consti- tuents would point to these appropriations and charge them with inrficiency because they failed to get. an appropriation put iu the bin Tor their districts. Representa- tive Dingley's statement that the Rppro- priation of $35O, 900 for the breakwstRr at hOcklan0, Me, was TOT tnH Oenent Ol commerce generally and not the state oi Maine alone, and that 1t was placed under the contract system (the only kind of river and harbor work usually provided for in the sundry civil bill) by the river and harbor committees and not at his suggestion, was doubtless strictly true but that did not prevent members enjoy ing the charge made by Representative Moody, of Mass. ; that this particular Ap. precipitation was put in as favor to Mir DinRley-a charge that will be likely tC be heard from the stump in every district that failed to get a desired appropriation of this nature
 Some very able speeches have beer made upon both sides of the question oi seating Hon. Fl. W.eCorbet, as senator from Oregon, but there is very little doubt that the precedent in the case oi Senator Mantle, of Mont, who was re. fused the seat which he now holds by regular election, when his only credentials were an appointment by the governor will be followed, and that a majority oi the votes will be cast against Mr Corbett's right to the seat.