The Press., 1898-07-14
Washington Letter.
Washington, July Il, isSa

Washington, July Il, iSSs-
 The destruction of Cevera's fleet, and the pending surrender of the Spanish at Santiago has made peace talk very pre- valent in Spain but up to this time there has been no official word from Spain on the subject. Members of the diplomatic corps say that the peace talk is being encourag- cd by the Spanish government, as a 'feel- err of public sentiment, in both Spain and this country. In administration circles, it Ia said that nothing short of request from the government of Spain, will cause this government to name it's terms of peace-they will not be named to any other government acting for Spain-and that nothing short of an absolute and un- qualified acceptance of those terms, will cause the slightest change in the plans for the further crushing of Spain's power. It Is stated at the navy department that the fleet of Commodore Watson will start for Spain this week, and that the campaign against Porto Rico is to be pushed ahead as rapidly as possible. Some think that peace Is in sight, but those who know the Spanish character best, say that some more whipping will be necessary to bring 1t about. The whipping will be done all right, As fast as the opportunity is given our boys. In fact, our soldiers are only afraid that peace will be reached before they have all had an opportunity to do some fighting.
 Congress came very close to adjourn ing in the midst of fight on the floor of the house, between members. Fittingly enough, the would-be belligerents were Cannon Of Ills, and Ball of Texas. Cool CT headed men succeeded in keeping the Cannon and the Ball from getting at each other, until they had a chance to cool down little, thus escaping a disgraceful scene that would have been witnessed by hun dreds of school teachers from every section of the country, who are fin Washington in connection with the National Education al convention, and who crowded the galler- les at the capitol, to witness the closing of the session of congress. Representative Cannon withdrew his remarks from the record and apologized for having called Representative Ball liar, but Represent Ative Ball did not withdraw the language that provoked the epithet. The whole in- cident was based upon a tempest in a teapot" started by the attempt of Repre- sentative Handy, of Deleware, to have the house order stricken from the record, a portion of & speech made by Represent Ila. oN kaI upon Representative Champ Clark, of Missouri-an attempt that failed.
 Unless some persons In Washington are very badly informed, Gen. Miles has no Idea of roughlng 1t in Cuba, or in the cam paign against Porto Rico, which he is to command and which is to be at once begun, unless the Spanish really ask for peace in- stead of just talking about it. On the contrary, his headquarters, which, accord ing to this information, will be on the magnificent passenger steamer, "Grande Duchesse", will have even more elegant and luxurious surroundings than were con- tAined in the private car in which he and his stan made that inspection trip to Flori- dA, several weeks ago. The headquarters of Gen. Miles will remain on the steamer until the campaign is over, if those who gave out this information have got. things as straight as they think they have, and the steamer carries large supply of the sort of provisions that are usually only furnished at high priced hotels.
 The session of congress that came to such an abrupt end after the senate adopt cd the resolution for the annexation of Hawaii, was one of the most important ever held. It appropriated 9361, ,7SS, ,095 for the prosecution of the war, but 1t did a great deal more than legislate for the war, as may be judged from the fact that 1t appropriated for other purposes $580, ,730, ,- 6D6, making a grand total appropriated for all purposes, of $592 ,527 ,991, a larger amount than was ever before appropriated at . single session. In addition to the an- n0xAtion of Hawaii, the following import ant laws upon subjects not connected with the war, were placed upon the statute book A national bankruptcy law |: Amendments to the interstate commerce law, providing for arbitration of all differ ences between common carriers and their employees; A commission to revise laws relating to patents, trade-mArks, etc., Re- mOval of political disabilities imposed by the fourteenth amendment; Appropriation to pay Great Britain the Bering Sea award For the protection of the people of Indian Territory, and for other purpos- es An industrial commission, to investi- gate and report to congress on the con- dltion and needs of all branches of trade and industry. Whatever else the mem- bers may be charged with, they have cer- tainly not lacked patriotism every bit of war Legislation asked for by the adminis- tration, was promptly given.
 The president lost no time fin naming the commission, authorized by the Hawaii an annexation resolution, to recommend the congressional Legislation made neces- sary by annexation, and to be composed of three Americans and two Hawaiians. Those chosen are Senators Cullom and Morgan, Representative Hit, president Dole and associate Justice Frear, the last two of Hawaii ......a# '#rH