St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-12-21
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

from tnelr southern TRIP, more imam ue-
lighted with the reception accorded
them and thoroughly impressed with
the loyalty of the southern people whom
they met and whose guests they were.
They were absent from the capital just
one week, and according to all accounts
the president appreciated the outing, al
though he was not given much time to
rest. 1t was a relaxation from official
duties, and that of itself was beneficial.
Since his return he has received many
congratulations for the impression he
made and the charming speeches deliv-
cred, pleasing to all citizens without re-
gard to party afiillatlon.
The president expects to be in posses
sion Of the text Of the Paris treaty by
Saturday, the Gath, and the probability
Is that 1t will not be submitted to the full
cabinet for consideration until the meet
Ing on Tuesday, the 9th inst. At this
writing II Is believed the treaty will be
submitted to the senate as soon as that
body comes together after the holidays
fastening Legislation - Political Fires
sm0uldering.
Congress, which adjourns this week
over the holidays, has made good prog
ress with the appropriation bills, and, in
fact, has very creditable record for
Fastening along necessary legislation in
the short time it has been in session. The
appropriation bills already passed cover
upwards of 5000 900 900, quite respecta-
bic amount for growing ra-
ton, and the other appropria-
ton bills are in such state
Of preparation as to leave no doubt Of
their being readily disposed of before
the 4th of March, when congress expires
by limitation. 1t is gratifying to note
that thus far there has been no acrimoni-
Gus debates, and that political lines have
not been closely drawn. 1t Is too much
to expect that this condition will con-
tinue to exist during the remainder of
the session. The Republican leaders do
not expect and the Democratic leaders
do not desire such an outcome.
A little later on a political battle will
be fought, and each party will strive to
secure advantage preliminary to the
| presidential struggle two years hence.
| During the presence here of Colonel
| William j. Bryan many conferences OF
| Democratic leaders were held, and ef-
forts made to harmonize existing party
differences, with view of presenting
an unbroken Democratic front in the
next contest, but it cannot be ascertained
that any decisive line of action was
agreed upon. The difficulty seemed to
be that harmony was not found to pre-
vail as regards the policy in dealing with
the question Of expansion of territory
in connection with the requirement OF
the Philippine Islands.
Colonel Bryan expressed decided or
position to the United States retaining
the islands as territories or colonies, but
he ran counter to the views of many
Democratic leaders of the past, who as
sert that it will be suicidal for the party
to take such position, and are unwilling
to yield their judgment to that of the late
national leader Another class of DEM
ocrats say there can be no party unity
unless Mr.. Bryan drops the silver issue,
and they seem determined to stand by
this declaration.
1t is believed, however that the politi-
cal atmosphere will be clearer after ac-
ton is had on the Paris treaty, and that
future party lines will be defined so as to
leave no room for doubt as to where
both stand.
Does Not Please Grand Army Men.
The suggestion of President Mckinley
that in the future the government care
for Confederate cemeteries the same as
national cemeteries, where the dead
Union soldiers are buried, has greatly
stirred UP the members Of the Grand
Army at the national capital and 1t is
evident that very serious opposition is
going to manifest itself, and that the
proposition will provoke heated discus
sion in many of the Grand Army posts.
What has added to the fuel, and no doubt
checked any disposition to regard with
passive favor the suggestion made by
the president, was the prompt action OF
Representative Rixey Of Virginia, on the
day the presidents speech was published
: in introducing bill in the house opening
all soldiers homes to Confederate SOL
diers and sailors, and placing them OF
the same footing as the men who fough
, in the Union army. This has aroused
) much feeling, and prominent officials O.
the Grand Army declare that If 1t be
comes a law 1t Is simply another wedg
and will soon be followed by PROPOSE
lion for the government to grant pension
to ex-Confederates. The talk here lndl
Gates that the Grand Army post
: throughout the country will be urge'
!, to declare their hostility to any propo
sition to legalize the acts of the men VIM
: fought against their country and plac
them on the same footing with Union sol
: diers and sailors. At q meeting of tn
executive committee of the Grand Arm
: IN Philadelphia few days ago the sue
. pestion of President Mckinley was dis
= cussed. but no action taken, Com
;. mander-in- Chief Sexton deciding tina
- It would be impolitic for him to declar
!. himself at the present time.
a How N w England Blood shows Itself.
n The sketches Of the lives Of the mem
VI hers of the United States senate In tn
a Congressional directory, prepared b
p themselves, disclose some interestin
d facts regarding the representation of tn
u states in the upper branch of congress
a OF the As states but II can claim bot
4. senators as natives, and these are Main'
lie Massachusetts, Vermont, Delawar
'e Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Ohi'
m South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia an
x Utah. Thirteen states-Arkansas, Co
orado. Florida, Idaho, Indiana, lows
Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana
Nebraska, Nevada and North Dakota
70 are represented by senators not native
lI r,inLA nn,nn tors mara horn nntsid of II