Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-07-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, July 4, 1898.

No more striking object lesson in Ameri-
can grit and bravery was ever given the
world than that by the soldiers and sailors
who participated in the terrible, but vic
torious campaign against Santiago Gen.
Skaters bull dog persistency in steadily
going ahead regardless of difficulties,
natural or man-made, until assured OF
victory was an indication that his school
mates made no mistake when they nick
named him Bull' The number of men
killed, wounded, and overcome by the
heat is appalling, when the number OF men
participating in the fighting is considered,
but no larger than might have been
expected under the circumstances-the
thermometer los to l25 and several days
of almost continuous assaulting OF breast
works and charging up hill in the face OF
hot fire from both large and small guns.
Admiral Simpsons feet worked in accord
with Skaters army and helped once more
TO demonstrate that the American soldier
and sailor has no equal on earth in all
around staying and fighting qualities.
Representative Bailey, of Texas. has the
sympathy of all decent men, regardless of
politics, in his effort to uncover the Demo-
cratic Congressman who Representative
Gr0svenor alleged had told him that he
was the author of an editorial slurring at
the Democrats in the House and making
a thinly yelled personal attack upon Mr.
Bailey, which appeared in a Washington
paper. GrosvenOr has so far declined to
name the man, although the editor of the
paper has joined his request to that of Mr..
Bailey that he do so, and added that if any
<fn aoI -. tt.a ant hnr Of
the editorial in question, he lied
The hard throw down given to Senator
Wellington, who was chagrinned at his
failure TO be elected Chairman of the Re-
publican State Committee of Maryland,
was more or less disappointment to Mary
land Democrats. The Democrats wanted
Wellington on top, because they knew
that his success would weaken his party in
the State, owing to his peculiar faculty Of
getting on the wrong side of everything.
Wellington now realizes that he can never
be boss again in Maryland politics, and
the realization is very bitter to him.
Under the provisions of the bill proVid-
ing for taking the next census, the en-
ployes of the Census Bureau are not TO be
not more than twO-thirds from one politi
cal party. The new House Committee on
the census is made up in about the same
proportion, eight Republicans, four Demo
Gratis aud one Populist Membership on
this committee was eagerly sought, as it is
supposed that its members will have a
little more pull in securing census appoint
ments than other members of the House.
The four Democrats on the committee are
DeVries, of California Norton, of South
Carolina; Griffith, of Indiana and Mac
Dowell, of Ohio; and the Populist is
Ridgeley, of Kansas. No appointments
under the bill are to be made before next
year, so far as any outsider knows, but the
haste in some quarters to get the bill
through is somewhat suspicious, and it
will not be surprising if somebody finds a
way to take care of a few friends before
that time, at Uncle Samuel's expense
There has been more swearing since the
first of the month on account of the op-
pressive and troublesome stamp tax than
about the extremely warm weather we are
having. 1t is only necessary to stand a
few minutes at the paying teller's window
in bank or at the receiving clerks desk
in telegraph Office to be convinced that
revenue stamp tax is about the most
obnoxious of all taxes, just as the Demo
Gratis in Congress said when they were
protesting in vain against its imposition
upon the country. Some persons were
simple enough to believe that the tele-
graph C mpany would pay for the stamp
that is reqUired to be affixed to every mes
sage sent, but they soon found out diff
ferently. Corporations never pay anything
that their patrons can be made to pay.
The positive statement from Europe that
Germany, France. and Russia had entered
into an engagement to prevent the U. S. re-
tanning the Philippine islands, or turning
them over to England after the war l.
ended, is being extensively discussed in
Washington. This particular statement
may or may not be true, but that our talk
about rermao emily keeping the Philippines
has aroused mutterings in Europe, which
may cause future trouble, is known to ALL
These things are causing it to be asked
whether the game is worth the candle. In
other Words would the possession of the
Philippines compensate us for engaging in
war with a combination of European
powers? OF course the average American
is ready at all times to resent any European
interference in our affairs, and should a
combination of powers officially say that
we should not keep the Philippines, would
favor keeping them anyway then. But
would it not be wise for this government
to announce in advance of any such notice
that it does not wish to keep those islands?
Many think 80.
No agreement has yet been reached as
to the day on which the Senate shall vote
on the annexation resolution, but is ex-
pected that the vote will be taken this
week.