The times., 1898-11-26
GENERAL POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Speaker Reed ami Chairman Dingley are
coming in for considerable adverse criti-
cism for placing msrnbers of their families
on the payroll at the, Capitol. Miss Kitty
Reed, daughter 10. the Speaker, is set
down In the Bile,fBook as clerk to
Speaker" at a salary of $1,000; Miss Edith
Dingley appears as1-"assistant clerk to
the House Ways and Means Committee.
What the critical representatives would
like to know is, how much service do
these young ladies render to the Govern
ment in return for their respective sala-
ries? They proposa to ascertain, 1t Is SAID,
whether their duties are ornamental or
otherwise. Nepotism in public office has
never been very popular with the masses.
Friends of Gen. Francis V. Greene be-
lieve that he missed great opportu-
nifty when he resigned the colonelcy of the
Seventy-first New York Regiment to ac-
cept an appointment as brigadier general
in the volunteer service. Gen. Greene
was sent to Manila and while he gave
good account of himself he had no OPP
portunity to win any special distinction
On the other hand. If he had remained
at the head of the Seventy-irst Regiment,
he would have been in the thick OF the
fight at Santiago. where Roosevelt won
the glory which subsequently secured his
nomination and election as governor OF
New York. Gen. Greene is regarded by
military men as genuine soldier. had
he been in command of his old regiment
at Santiago. they believe that the Seven
ty-first Regiment would have carried off
the honors of the day and that the charge
of the Roosevelt Rough Riders would
have been lost sight of in the more brli-
liant performances of Greene $ men. IL
is another case of what might nave been.
If Greene had been at Santiago and had
not been killed, his friends say that ne
would today be occupying the position OF
Roosevelt as governor-eect of New York,
and a prospective occupant of the White
House. Gen. Greene, 1t is said, has been
industriously engaged in kicking himself
for some time past. As rule, lost op-
portunities never return.
There is talk of move being made to
unseat Representative-electB b. ii. ROBERTS
in the next House on the grounds that ne
is a polygamist. 1t is claimed that he was
living with three wives at the time of his
election. which, in the judgment of some
people. disqualfies him from occupying
seat in the national Legislature. Inc Ed
monds law which was passed several
years ago, expressly prohibits the practice
of polygamy and fixes severe penalty
for its violation. However. as no formal
complaint has as yet been lodged against
Mr. Roberts in this connection, he de-
cIines to discuss il. "Bimetallism and not
polygamy, was the issue in the late cam
paign in Utah, said Senator Frank j.
Cannon of that State. Should there be
a contest against Mr.. Roberts. / will be
heard from. do, not believe that any at
tempt to unseat Mr. Roberts would be
successful, but If, he should be turned out
we will simply elect another bimetallist
to take his place
h.te.
The attitude Of the German organiza-
tions of the United States on the annexa-
ton of the Philippines excites considera-
BILE interest in Administration circles.
There have been strong intimations from
what are regarded as,trustworthy sources
that the German Americans are not only
not enthusiastic son the subject Of annex
alton. but many of their leaders have
coincided with the views of Senator Hoar
that II will be asfatal mistake to acquire
Labor conditions are said to enter into
the question; and. besides, in the German
organizations referred TO 1t Is reported
that there is a pretty general feeling that
IL will be very costly to this Government
to maintain law and order in such re-
mote possessions prominent German
American Republican in this city. who
keeps in close touch with the OrganiZa-
tions, says positively that the leaders Of
his race are undoubtedly opposed to taxi
ing in any more OF the Philippine terri
tory than is necessary TO establish
naval station. He has conveyed this in
formation to leading congressman, and
thinks that unless the sentiment is chang
ed the German Americans. through their
spokesmen, will continue to oppose acqui-
sitiOn of the islands.
II can be stated on high authority that
the Administration people do not take
much stock as yet in these rumors and
statements They seem to think that
Philippine annexation will be carried out.
and that not only the Germans, but most
of the New England "kiekers, including
the pessimistic Mr. Hoar, will fall grace
fully into line after their minds have
been relieved on the subject.
Word came from the West that Mr. H.
II. Hanna, who is very energetic in in
sisting that an extra session of Congress
shall be called in March, will camp IN
Washington during the Winter. and that
he will have a number of able assistants
in working up the sentiment. 1t is well
understood that Mr.. Hanna and those who
were prominent in getting together the
indianapolis conference, which finally
brought about the monetary conference,
in iarp nd 10
publicans must get down to business.
They think that the Administration Is
pledged to carry out the money plank of
the St. Louis platform. The understand
ing is that this element will be backed by
powerful influences.
Most of the Republican congressman.
and particularly those supposed 10 enjoy
the confidence of the President and Secre-
tary of the Treasury, have since the cleo
ton opposed having an extra session.
They do not believe that one will be called
if it is possible to get through with ur-
gent legislation during the short session
of the existing Congress.
1t can be stated in the strictest conf
dence that the Administration is not par
ticularly anxious to take up the subject
of financial legislation.
The Hon. Benton .McMillin, governor
elect of Tennessee, was in Washington
yesterday for ar.short time. He left in
the evening for New York. but will re-
turn here next week III shall not resign
my seat in the House, he said, until
about the first 81 the year, as my term
as governor does not begin until Jam
uary l. My large majority was certain
ly most gratifying to me 1t betokens "a
revival of the ola-tihie Democratic spirit