The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1898-03-03

washington, Feb. %, 1898.

washington teDs 20, 1890
Orally round the flag, boys!" 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 Spaniards that we are not only ready
but determined to fight, II the report OF
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 thatdlrection 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
municated to the administration and as
promptly made public, in order to allay
the excitement AS nothing has been
sent to Washington by the court it 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 1s
waiting until it secures the fullest proofs
to that effect before making its report
Neither the president nor any member OF
the cabinet will admit that the admins
tration puts that construction upon the
silence of the court, but there is no oc-
casion for any admission from them ;their
official acts, IN preparing for war, tell
the story, and tell it SO well that congress
perfe ctlyis willing to keep quiet and al
low the administration to play the game
out. "a
Nine out of every ten members of con-
gress, believe that war with Spain is
bound to come in che near future, either
through some open act of hostility on
the part of the Spaniards or by open de-
claraticn on the part. of congress. Things
seem to have gotten in such condition
that there Is no other way out.
The personal statement OF Secretary
Sherman to many senators, that II the
naval court reports the Maine to have
been Intentionally wrecked, the admin
stration will at once demand 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 very pronounced feeling against
giving Spain an opportunity to settle such
score with money. A demand for in
demnity, say those who oppose it,
would be too much like asserting to the
taunts of the Spanish press, that we are q
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
demnlty, anyway, no attempt Is likely to
be made in congress to prevent the ad-
ministration making the demand, IL II
considered it 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 adj
ministration. We shall soon know at
about it.
The sharp discussion in the house over
the appropriations fer river and harbol
improvements provided for in the sundry
civil bill was not brought about because
| such approximations were new in thai
| bill but because of the knowledge Of
members that there will be no river anC
harbor bill passed at this session, OWNS
to the opposition of Speaker Reed, and
their consequent fear that their cOnsti
tuents would point to these appropriations
and charge them with inef1cieney because
they failed to get. an appropriation put IL
the bin Tor their districts. Representa-.
tive DlngIey'S statement tnaE the appEO
priation of $3.50, 900 for the breakwatel
at Rockland, Me-, was for the benefit O
commerce generally. and not the state o.
Maine alone, and that it was placed under
the contract system (the only kind o
river and harbor work usually provided
for in the sundry civil bilD by the rive
and harbor committee and not at hi
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
preparation was put in asa favor to Mr.
Dingley-a charge that will be likely tx
be heard from the stump in every distric
that failed to get desired appropriation
of this nature.
Some very able speeches have beer
made upon both sides of the question o
seating Hon. H. W.*Corbet, as senator
from Oregon, but there is very littl'
doubt that the precedent in the case 0
Senator Mantle, of Mont, who was re
fused the seat which he now holds b!
regular election, when his only credential
were an appointment by the governor
will be followed, and that majority o
the votes will be cast against Mr.
Corbett's right to the seat.