Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1898-05-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
CFrom our Regular Co,rcspondcnt.)


a port and landing six thousand men
from the regular army, to make June
ton with the Cuban army and operate
against the Spaniaids, Il few hours after
ii had been determined upon by the au-
thorltes, aroused the administration to
the necessity OF taking some steps TO pre-
vent the publication of intended war
movements in advance of the movements
themselves, as there isn't the slightest
doubt that such publications are cabled
to Spain as soon as they appear The re-
suit is an order that no military informa-
ton shall be given out by subordinates of
the department, and lest the argus-eyed
newspaper men might see some scrap of
writing that would give them clew to
intended movements they are to be
barred out 81 all tn, offices in the war
and navy departments.
Every scrap OF news from our warshps,
whether relating to the capture Of Span
ish prizes, the silencing OF Spanish forts
or the gallant action OF our Asiatlc squad
ron. increases public confidence in the
fighting qualities of our navy, and the
hope that the order will soon be issued
to give Sampson a chance to batter down
the Notifications at Havana.
Uncle Sam has too many resources to
allow the activity in the fighting branches
Of his establishment to interfere with the
orderly conduct OF business in the far
more important peaceful branches. The
war will not be felt to any marked extent
in the industrial and commercial progress
OF the country, and Uncle Sam will con
time to do his part by looking after our
postal system, public lands, granting
patents to inventors, etc, without neg
Letting the war.
1t is not creditable, but it is nevelthe-
less true that many politicians of his
party are showing much more anxiety to
succeed in their efforts to get Mr.. McKiri-
ley to appoint their favori'es officers in
the volunteer army than they are in
making efforts to help rush the war to a
speedy close. In addition to a number Of
appointments that will be at his disposal
under the law recognizing the regular
Amy, there are 3S4 officers to be appointed
| by him in the volunteer army-twelve
maj generals, 81 brigadier generals and
! the following staff officers: 2l lieutenant
colonies, 100 majors, l47 captains and GS
! first lieutenants. The scramble for the
staff positions especially is being partici-
patcd in by men who make no pretence
of having any other claim or ability to
! fill the places than their political pull.
In the appointments so far announced
/ Mr.. Mckinley has not yielded much to
political influence, and he has told Il
number Of democratic senators and rep
! resentatves that he did not intend that
politics should determine a single one OF
these appointments, but it is greatly
feared that he will not be able to stand
/ the pressure when it comes to the staff
appointments.
The democrats who voted against the
republican war revenue bill which passed
the house by a vote Of 1Sl to l3l-only
six democrats voted for the bili-dd not
do so because they did not believe in pro-
viding the government with all the money
that 1T will need to lick Spain, and any
other European nation that attempts to
neddle with the thrashing process, but
to show their dSapproval, not only OF the
method by which this bill provides for
raising money but OF the method resorted
( by Mr.. Dinglev and his republican asso-
ciates of the ways and means committee
in preparing the bill. The democratic
members OF the committee were not
asked " help prepare the bill, but an at
tempt waS made to cram It down their
Threats alter it was prepared, although it
is undelnocratic all the way through, be-
cause all OF the taxes it imposes will fall
heaviest upon the poorest Of our people,
and the richest and most favored classes
and corporations will not be made to bear
their share oil the burden. The demo-
Gratis also believe that the authorization
OF the issue OF $4,000, 900 in bonds was
unnecessary at this early stage OF the
war, and that all OF the money needed
could be otherwise provided tor anyway.
A caucus OF democratic senators was held
to discuss the bill, now in the senate
committee on finance. More than three
| fourths OF those present indicated their
intention to take the same stand the
democrats did against the bill, but in
Difference to those who said they intended
to vote for the bill as a war measure no
caucus action was taken. One of the
latter was Senator Vest, who said he
would vote 70 strike out the bond clause
OF the bill, but wond afterwards vote for
the bill whether the bond clause was
struck ont or not. The populists and sill
yer republican senators will to man
vote against TIE bonds, but it is expected
that the whole bill, bonds and all will
pass.
Senator German says he retired from
the Craftsmanship OF the democratic eau