Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-04-01

perience, and now they are nearly all
fully abreast of the Democrats in de-
handing action on the part of the adj
ministration that will free Cuba, re.
gnrdless OF whether Spain pouts or
fights. 1t is now in the power of Mr..
Mckinley to say what that action
shall be, but if he does not quickly
exercise that power he will lose it.
The House Military Committee met
the demands OF the Democrats by so
amending the bill authorizing an
increase OF the regular army to l04,-
OOO men that men can only be en-
listed under the act in time of actual
war. Another amendment provides
that at the close OF any war in which
the United States shall become in.
volved, the army shall be at once re.
duced to the regular peace basis.
Senator Mason has declined the
offer of DIR. George Powell, of La
Crosse, Wisconsin, to take his place,
and accept the challenge sent him by
Spanish editor; also similar offer
from Minneapolis. Senator Mason
says he has accepted the challenge,
and adds: 81 have chosen submarine
mines, tor the weapons in this duel.
The Spaniard is to be launched over
my mine as long as the Maine was
launched over the one in Havana
harbor, and if can't blow him up in
the same length of time, then agree
to sit over his mine and let him have
a chance. Ii this fellow accepts these
conditions, / think I will rid the
world of at least one Spsniard. and
may get a chance at few more"
1t is no new assertion to say that
the industrial progress of America,
which has long led the world. is shown
in the records of the u. S. Patent
Office, but that fact is emphasized
anew by the valuable information for
all who are interested in the contin-
ued maintenance of our greatness and
progress in industrial lines, and who
is not, contained in the report for 1897
Of Hon. A. P. Greeley, acting Com.
missioner OF Patents-informatio that
10 invaluable to those who desire to be
up TO date with the world of industrial
and inventive progress. The report
will be sent to all who apply in writing
for it to the Commissioner of Patents,
Washington, ID. c.
An informal conference of mum.
Der of the vice-Presidents of the Ma
tional Association of Democratic Clubs
was held this week At the headquarters
of the association, and very en-
couraging reports were made as to
club organization and the general
outlook for Democratic success in the
campaign this fall and in 1900. With
out exception every one present in
Dictated his belief that the Chicago
platform would be re-adopted by the
next Democratic National Convention
and that Mr.. Bryan would be again
nominated to head the ticket. The
following attended the conference:
Hon. L. j. Handy, OF Ohio; Hon
Blair Lee, of Maryland; Hon. T. G.
McRae, of Arkansas; Hon. J. Lentz
of Ohio; Hon. J. L. Mitchell, O.
Wisconsin; Hon. j. L. Rawlings, Of
Utah; Hon. j. L. Slayden, OF Texas +
Hon. J. F. Fitzgerald, of Massachu.
setts; Hon. ]. G. Mcguire, of Cali
fornia; Hon. ]. Wheeler, OF Alabama i;
Hon. Benton Mcmillan, of Tennessee /;
and Lawrence Gardner, Secretary Of
the association.
1t is not probable that either OF the
three battleships-one to be named
Maine-or the six torpedo boats and
six torpedo boat destroyers provided
70: in the regular Naval Appropria-
ton bill, now being considered by the
House, will be ready to take part in
the war with Spain, but they indicate
the spirit OF Congress. The five dry
docks provided for in the same bill
may be of service before we have
whipped Spain to a satisfactory extent,
and anyway they are needed all the
time by our ships. DEN.