Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1898-05-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tfrom our Regular Correspondent
Washington, April IS, 1898


prevailing sentiment in WASHINGTON since
the war actually begun. Now that Mr..
NcNinley has shaken off the Hanna
Peace-at-auY-pricc crowd and their be-
numbing influence, he has become thor
0uShly alive to the necessities of the
situation. This has been particularly
noticeable during the past week. He
started on the right track when he asked
congress for authority to use the army
ana navy 10 drive Spain out of Cuba; he
took the proper step when he sent that
uilimatlln to Spain again when he rec
ogn;zed the dismissal Of our minister bv
Spain as an act OF war; again when he
issued orders for our feet to blockade
Cuba, and yet again when he issued his
proclamation calling for $4,000 men to
serve two Years unless sooner DISCHARGED.
Congress is right behind every one OF
these moves and the people are right be-
bind congress. The enthusiasm is I'M
precedented, and every Spanish flag cap
tured by our warships add to it. The
only regret that is heard is that all who
desire to participate in avenging the
Maine cannot do so, as each state will IN
sist on furnishing its full quota Of the
troops called for. The National Guard
OF the District OF Columbia is already on
duty in a camp of instruction. and al
though only about one third can hope to
20 every man of them j. anxious to start
for Cuba.
The law authorizing 'hc volunteer army
which vas enacted by congress last week.
provides for four mai generals, and the
impression is general IN Washington that
Fitz Lee and Joe Wheeler, of Ala, will
be rendered commissions OF that rank
"Teddy'' Roosevelt, the scrappv assistant
secretary OF the navy, will resign that
position in order to serve on Fitz Lees
staff in Cuba.
When once our army gets i'm Cuba it
will make short work OF whipping the
Spaniards, buc several weeks must clapse
before that army can be gathered on the
southern coast, preparatory to embarka-
ton for Cuba. Until then we shall have
to content ourselves with the knowledge
that cur warships will give good account
OF themselves in any engagements they
will have either with the Spanish fort in
Cuba or with the Spanish warships; and
we may as well also IRE pare ourselves to
hear Of the occasional capture OF an
American merchant ship on the other
side ii the Atlantic by the Spanish. We
can hope that the ioastful Spanish navy
will come over aud fight onr ships, but
there are no indications now in sight
that it will do so. 1t looks as though we
will | ave to - after them when We have
captured Cuba. But Cuba comes first
The bonds authorized by the war reve-
nue. bill reported Ia the house from the
WAYS and means committee are coin
gold idea had to he abandoned
by the few who entertained it-brafing 3
yer cent interest. $500 900 ,OO0 is the
amount. to run from ten to twenty years
at the pleasure OF the government. TIE
issue Of 500, 900. 900 in ) per cent treasury
certificates Of Indebtedness is also au-
thorized. The bill makes increases in
the internal revenue tax on beer and
tobacco. and provides for
new taxation, mostly by stamps, similar
to the system in vogue just after the war,
that will it is estimated add 500, 100000
a year 10 the governments revenues.
There is very little doubt that the witty
speech OF private John Allen, OF Miss,
shamed enough republican members of
the house TO save the seat Of Representa-
tive Carmack. OF Term, which was con-
tested by Josiah Patterson, who ran
against him Us a gold democrat and was
by republicans. Six republic
cans voted for Calmacll and IL number
did not vote at all! It had been under
stood that the solid republican vote had
been pledged f. Patterson by Gen. Gros-
venor and other leaders Of the party, but
after John Allen had shown up in his
own inmtable manner the zigzag linan-
cial career OF Josiah Patterson, empha-
sizing his points by Il string OF his best
stories. the vote was taken and Josiah
was defeated by vote OF l3o to 120.
A long story might be told about the
lightning cabinet change, in which Editor
Charles Emory Smith succeeded Mer-
chant James a. Gary as postmaster gem
eral. but il SO old an enemy OF Smith as
Senator Quay was willing to keep quiet
and even move that Smiths nomination
be confirmed by the senate, surely others
can do so, at least until after the war is
over. Just now nothing is wanted that
will not add to the strength of the gov
eminent; the first and greatest demand
ia that no time be lost in fighting the
war to a victorious end.
Another change in the cabinet is pend
ing. John Sherman has got to 60. lie
would have gone before now, had 1t not
been for the desire OF Mr.. Mckinley to
put Mr.. Day in his place. There is a