Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-12-08
WASHINGTON CHAT


Secretary Alger has denied the re-
| rorts that Immediately upon the sigI-
ing OF the peace treaty the volunteer
| regiments will be mustered out OF the
| service. 1t is stated at the department
| that while the ratification OF the treaty
| will, OF course, result in the ultimate
mastering out of the volunteer troops.
this action will not be taken until con-
| gross has materially increased the reG
! ular army, and Secretary Alger viii
| recommend. IN his forthcoming report,
| mat the regulars be increased TO 1oO.-
600 men.
The reports referred TO brought up
the question as to what disposition was
10 be made of the Fifteenth Minnesota
regiment, now under orders for e,l-
bark alton To Cuba. 1t can be stated
that at this time no change has been
contemplated in the orders of the Fiji
teenth Minnesota. III his forthcoming
report. which will be made public,
probably, this week, Secretary Alger
will make q recommendation Of much
general interest, which, If adopted, VIII
oDyiate the necessity OF American sol
liers in Cuba. The secretary recon-
mends that the native military force
Oh the island be enlisted under the
american flag, to be used as an adj
juCct to our army or as local constaDu-
larry. 1t is stated by army officers who
took part in the campaign In Cuba,
thai with little training the native mil
itary force can be made Of much value
10 the United States, and, in case O
large number of troops are required 70
be removed from the island, a native
military force will remain to- preserve
order.
In commenting upon the receipts OF
tue revenue from the operations OF tha
pure food law. which amounted to ST.
437 in October, Mr.. Tawney said that
this showing for the fourth month of
the operations of the law were very
gratifying. It Is also pointed out that
receipts from the law during the WIN
ter months will be much larger, as
there is a much larger demand at this
season OF the year for pancake -four,
buckwheat and other similar products,
which are required to pay a stamp tax
under the statute.
An aicial Of the postoiiice depart
ment says that the rural free delivery
service will be established at several
points in Minnesota about Dec. l. Re-
ports have been receive dfrom inspect
ors recommendin gthe establishment of
the rural free delivery In unsettled poI-
tons of the state, an dplans are now
being made to carry this into effect.
The official added that the service
would not be further extended in the
Dakotas. This system of delivering
mail in sparsely-settled communities
has been very satisfactory during the
year, and an increased appropriation
will be asked for next year.
1t has been said that protests are be-
ing filed at the war department against
the government drafting nurses in
Minnesota for service in the Philip
pines exclusively from the ranks Of the
Red Cross society. Col. Alden, of the
surgeon generals office, says that the
rumors are u~nsounded, and that liz
there is any friction regarding the mat
ter 1t had not been called to the atten-
ton of the department. He added that
nurses were not to be taken exclusive
ly from the Red Cross. but will be III.
listed wherever obtainable.
The secretary Of the interior has APP
proved for patent to the Northern Pa
citc Railroad company 2,165 acres of
land in the Fargo land district. Secre-
tary Bliss denies the motion for re-
view in the case of Leslie A. Simpson
VS.. John III. Murphy's heirs, involving
lands in the Bismarck land district.