The Opelousas courier., 1898-03-05
Washington Letter.
from our Regular Correspondent.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. %, 1898.
Shall the most dastardly piece O
treachery perpetrated in the nineteenth
century be condoned for Il cash con
sideration Sherman-at last the ole
man is given something to do, but j
was a n%auseating job-to circulate
among his former colleagues of the Sen
ate, for the purpose of informing then
that the administration had decided, il
the naval court reported that the Maine
was blown up by intention, to demand
Il cash indemnity of Spain. If Mr.
Sherman correctly reported some of the
remarks made by senators with whom
he discussed the matter, Mr.. Mckinley
must have blushed.
Ever since it had been practically
known that the court had fourN un-
mistabable evidence that the Maine was
wrecked by treacEery, the administra
ton has been gradually, through di-
verse newspaper interviews, and by
other methods, preparing the public
for this indemnity business, by drop
ping hints about the injustice of hold
ing Spain responsible when it dis
avowed the crime or any knowledge of
it, and the probability that tie crime
was committed by some Spaniard who
was an enemy of the present Spanish
Ministry, etc, etc. The Spanish charge
d'affaires in Washington also took II
hand in the attempt to have his coun-
try let down easily by officially stating
that no mines or torpedoes have ever
been planted in the harbor at Havana.
The fact that this fellow was once as
ISOLATED with DeLome was enough to
prevent belief of any statement he
might make.
There is not the slightest doubt that
an overwhelming majority of Congress
believes with a majority of the people
should be shed to avenge the poor dev-
lis who were victims of Spanish treach-
cry in Havana harbor but there is also
a strong desire in Congress to act in
concert with the admins tration, it pos
sible, in order that it cannot be said by
the Spaniards, or other foreigners, that
there is n division of sentiment in the
United States. This desire may result
IN Congress allowing the demand for q
money indemnify to be made to Spain,
but it will be, even then, LARGELY be-
cause of the belief that Spain could not
pay the indemnity, and would not if it
could, and that war wonld be the result,
any way.
Although Mr.. Mckinley continues to
talk peace, his actions, through his
subordinates, show that he believes
with almost everybody else in Wash
that war with Spain is inevi-
and, to his credit be it placed, he
Is taking vigorous steps to see that we
are folly prepared to do our share of
the fighting when it once gets started.
The more promptly and vigorously he
upon that Maine report, which is
expected this week, the better he will
with Congress and the people.
Mr.. Mckinley must have been a little
bit afraid that the we'll known scrap
ping ~propensities Of Teddy Roosevelt
made him a dangerous man to have in
Of tho Navy Department at this
line, or Secretary Long would now be
several days rest and Teddy
would be in charge. Mr.. Long an
bounced his intention of going away
or three or four days, but Mr.. McKin-
e,y persuaded him to change his mind.
I0st persons would rather see Teddy
unniDg the machine just now.
Repr'tive SulZer, of Y. who has been
'omeWhat llarshly criticised because of
lis objection, when unanimous consent
vas asked in the House that the bill, al
eady passed by the Senate, providing
or the establishment of two addition
| regiments of artillery, be taken up and
onsidered until DISPOSED of, imme-
lately after the passage of the sundry
lvll bill, says he did SO because he
bought there was no necessity to in
rease the regular army, and that he re-
arded the bill as an attempt on the
OF the plutOcrats to take advantage
t existing conditions to increase the
and thus still further entrench
against the people. AS to
le special need Of these men now to t
ght Spain, Mr.. SuIzer said "Why, if {
ar should be declared, | would resign
y seat in "a hours and would raise a
in my district. | would get
thousand young able-bodied fellows '
would fight, and we would go to the
ont under some Federal brigade COM S
ander !; and there would he no lack of e
lch regiments" y
The defeat Of the Republicans by the i
'mblned votes of the Democrats and p
opulists several times recently, when
9 House was in committee of the
hole, has so aggravated the Republi- A
q leaders, that they have notified the g
publican members that they must be 8,
ore regular in their attendance and is
We given them a hint that if they are f
I, a list Of the absentees will be c,
lily published, as was done in the
Congress.