The Florence tribune., 1898-03-05
Letter from Rev. l. T. WhIttemore.

Letter from Rev. l. [. Whittemore.
 WASHINGTON, D. G., Feb. IS, 1898.
 FRIuED REppY: We are still "peg- ging away"-Hon. Mark Smith on his lines and on mine.
 have just come from call on Ex- Secretary John ". Foster and had very pleasant audience with him, and though brief, it was to the point. He is too busy man to have noticed the little parson, but as my letter to Hon. John Wannamal<er had been placed in his hands, he very graciously and very kindly condescended to admit me. He has promised that when I have given him certai D naIres and formulated cer- tain facts, he will give the matter the attention we crave. It was an honor and privilege to have an interview with so eminent an officia and secure the promise of aid So powerful and so essential to the success of our reservoir.
 As soon as have obtained the infor nation needed and have formulated the j.. facts required, shall forward them to the Hon. Ex-Secretary of State and Minister to Russia.
 LATEB-I have now obtained the names desired aHd have pressed the In- diaas and their woes so heavily on the heart and conscience of Mr. Foster that it is hoped that with the forces which Mir. Smith has brought ,to.bear on the powers that be" that the issue will be a success.
 have also had a pleasant interview with Senator Hoar and he stands ready to use his influence for the suffering Indians. There are other men to reach and other influences to be brought to bear on our plans, whi,h must not yet see the light. In war, sapping and mining are as necessary to "carry the war into Africa as open and vigorous hand to hand fights, or massed battal- ions, or combined charges of heavy and llght artillery, as well as cannon and mortar and mittraileuse. While there is lull ia battle, it is but prelude to the blood and thunder and carnage that are soon to follow--''after the calm storm"
 I have not seen Mir. Smith for two or three days, although I have been in the Senate and House galleries nearly every day. I am sure, however, that he is not idle, and when see him to- morrow, he will report progress, for he was working on right lines when I last met him.
 STILL LATER Saturday morning).-I called at the House to-day and had brief interview with our honorable delegate and he assures me that he has secured the influence of the members of the House who compose the board of conferees, and with the pressure that sge hope to bring on the members from the Senate, we are very hopeful of ss- curing the reinstatement of the clause we so much desire. As Senator Allison and Congressman James s. Sherman (who Is the chairman Of the committee on Indian Affairs) will be absent next week, our hopes are bright for securing the influence of the entire body of the conferees.
 In some things we can hurry mat ters-in other things we must wait, and the latter is as necessary as the former, but patient waiting and work ing and plodding win, when precipi- tancy fails. Rest assured, however, that we are not idle, and prudence is the better part of valor."
 The terrible disaster to the Maine is occupying the minds of Congress, added to which, there is an itching for Cuba and Hawaii to be brought to the front, so the Indian appropriation bill may tarry for action, and yet ''it is the un- expected that happens" and it may be sprung at any time after the coming week. Watch and wait.
 LITTLE PARsoN.