The Press., 1898-07-07
Washington Lscttor.
Washington, July {, lsss.

AS1Ah@Es
 Washington, July {, 1858.
 Hels a callous man, indeed, who can look at Old Glory after reading of the heroic conduct of Gen. Snafter's brave men at Santiago, aud of Sampson's gal lant tars, who so ably assisted in the winning victory after victory, without feeling new pride of hls country. Shafter's mon fought under great difficulties. The country around Santiago would be diffi- cult one for military operations under the most favorable circumstances, but when those operations are successfully conduct ed with the thermometer ranging from 1O5 to 125 in the shade and against an enemy about equal In numbers and strong ly intrenehed, they command the unbound cd admiration of, not only Americans, but of all men who admire bravery, en- durance and determination. Shafter's short campaign against Santiago has made an enviable place in history for himself and his men. The casualties were large, but 1t seems wonderful that they were not larger.
 Inasmuch as the members of the select committee on the census, just named by Speaker Reed, will have much to say about the large number of appointments to be made by the census bureau which will get to work next year on the census of 1900, outside of the civil service rule, there was more or less scrambling and wire pulling to get on the committee. Following Is the committee Hopkins, of Ills, Chairman, Russell, of Conn.,, Bab- cock, of Wis, Heatwole, of Minn., Ache son, of Penn, Alexander, of New York Aldrich, of Ala; Wise, of Va, DeVries, of Cal, Morton, of South Carolina Ridgeley. of Kansas Griffith of Ind. and Mcdowell, of Ohio. Eight of the com mittee are republicans, four democrats, and one a popullst.
 Although there Is still considerable out side speculation as to Germany's inten- ton the Philippines, President McKin- ley and Secretary Day stated at a cabinet meeting that they had received official as- surances direct from the government of
 
 American plans in the Philippines, had been even thought of. The revival of the old European story that Germany France and Rnssla had formed a combination to head off the U. 5. and Great Britain in the Philippines, Is not attracting any very simple reason that nobody believes It. Military men are much interested in the successful nse of a balloon by Gen. Shafter to make observations of move- ments Inside the enemy's lines in and around Santiago, and they have no doubt that when the report Of the campaign is made, Gen. Shafter's statemen of the use of the balloon will be so strong that 1t will give the balloon n permanent place among American military accoutrements such as 1t already holds in Europe.
 Further than temporary shortage O stamps in several large cities, the cause of complaint made to the treasurer de partment about the new tax law, whicl has been in effect since the first of tn month, have been trivial. No one clas has been more abused on account of tn now law than the receiving clerks of tn telegraph companies. Where one ma tenderlng a telegram unstamped woul laugh and say, "On, I forgot" when ir formed that 1t could not be received untI the stamp was attached, tbree woul say unprintable things about the telt graph company because 1t does not pa thIs tax. No trouble was experienced 6 any of the banks, although many of th6I customers appeared to have heard of tn stamp tax for the first time when the presented checks without stamps and ha them handed back by the paying tellers
 The state department has informatio that Spanish agents are in Mexico tryin to organize a force of Spaniards ar spanish sympathizers to make raid c Texas towns near the border. The info nation worried nobody in Washingto because the belief is general that if tf Spaniards ever take a rading party fro Mexico into Texas, the Texans will s' to 1t that not a Spaniard gets back Mexico.
 The annexation of Hawaii Is in sight likewise the adjournment of congress.
 was hoped by the friends of annexation that the president could have signed tt resolution for the annexation of Hawaii c independence day, so that our fellov citizens to-be on the islands would haN been given an additional reason for joil ing with us in celebrating our greatei national holiday for all time but tn senators in charge of the resolution COT oluded that 1t would be wiser not to ad the dying agonies of the antis by pushin 1t to a vote, knowing that vote woul come without any pushing in few days The resolution will probably be adopte by the senate during the present week and the adjournment of congress will fo low very closely, unless something ne' turns up to interfere with the carryin out of the present programme.