The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-09-23
" ashington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent

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PRESIDENT Mckinley does not believe
that the war was badly managed. On
the contrary, he knows that it was a.
whole, well managed-so we'll man
aged as to surprise the world by the
results accomplished in an incredit
ably snort time. He has no idea thai
the most thorough investigation of the
conducts of the war will uncover any
mysterious evil, or that it is necessary
to find a scape-goat for some grea,
wrong. But he does believe that a
dlgnified, dispassionate and scientific
inquiry, made by men of broad gage
minds and accomplishments, will be
valuable in showing up weak spots in
our present system of running the
quarteimaster, commissary and med
lcal departments of the army-a sys-
tenn intrenched in laws that right or
wrong, under existing conditions,
must be carried out until the laws are
changed. In other words, that a
thorough inquiry will result in point
ing out the changes that should be
made to improve the system. 1t was
because of this belief that President
Mckinley concluded to order the in
quiry made that was requested by
Secretary Alger. The commission en-
trusted with the duty of making this
inquiry, will be composed of men who
are widely known and whose findings
will be accepted by the entire country.
Generals Miles and Shafter, who are
both in Washington, say they will
welcome the closest scrutiny of their
every act, and the same sentiments
are expressed by Sergt Gen. Sternberg
and Gen. Eagan, head of the Commits
sary Department. The latter is SC
confident that his department is all
right that he says he wishes the Presl-
dent would have the iquiry made en-
tlrely by his political opponents.
Owing to the rapidity with which
money is accumulating in the Treas
ury, Secretary Gage has notified the
holders of the old currency "sixes, u
which will be payable Jan. l, next, OF
his willingness to redeem them when
ever presented. There are about $14,
100000 outstanding in these bonds.
He has also offered to anticipate the
October interest on the four per cent
bonds. 1t will be the special aim of
Secretary Gage to see that the money
is got back into circulation fast enough
to prevent any disturbance in busi-
ness circles.
Gov. Shaw, of Iowa, came to Wash
ington to see about getting the volun-
teers from his state mustered out, but
the matter had been determined before
his arrival, by the decision of the War
Department to muster out one-half of
the troops from each state.
Commissioners Evans has issued a
statement in answer to the charge
made by Kansas populists, that his
administration of the Pension bureau
was harsh and unjust. He shows that
the average number of pensions allow
ed under him has been much higher
than under his predecessor, and the
average number of reflections much
lower, showing which would not be
possible if the charge was true. One
source of grumbling has been that
Commissioner. Evans has, from the
day he assumed Office, given applica-
tion for original pensions precedence
over applications for an increase, on
the ground that those who had no
pension should be waited upon before
those who had pension that they
wished increased, but no amount Of
grumbling can make that an unjust
policy.
The five American Peace Commits
sioners, Secretary Day, Senators Da
Wis Frye, and Gray, and Hon. White
law Reid will hold conference with
President Mckinley this week, for the
for the purpose of receiving their in
structions. They are to sail from
New York on the 17th, inst. No Off
cial announcement has been made, or
will be made of what demand this
government will make, but there is
strong belief in Washington, that SO
far as the Philippines are concerned,
it will be confined to the absolute pos
session of tie island of Luzon, the
largest and most prosperous of the
group, and the establishment of a
guaranteed fair government for the
rest of the islands, with open ports for
commerce. While the President will
tell the Commissioners what he thinks
the treaty should contain, he will not
insist upon their attempting to secure
precisely that, being perfectly willing
for them to act as in their discretion
they may deem best, having absolute
confidence that they will not agree to
anything that will not be approved by
the country and himself.