The Monte Vista journal., 1899-12-02
FROM WASHINGTON.
GOSSIP or the WHITE HOUSE
AND THE DIPARTMINT0.

.
Since the formation of the govern
ment fourteen senators have been act
Ing vice president by reason OF the
death OF the duly elected vice president
or his accession to the presidency.
Mr.. Depew has rented the famous
COrcornn mansion Mt Washington Tor
six years, his entire senatorial term,
and pays $4,000 for that period. Sen
ator Brice paid $4,000 year upon an-
nual leases. Mr.. Depew saves $lo'OO
by wholesale transaction.
Certificates Of merit for service dur
ing the Spanlsh-Americnn war nave
been awarded by the war department
to a large number of privates, among
them being three Colorado men: Ser
Reant II. /. Clotworthy Of Denver, Pri.
vate L. !. Blgelow of I.eadville. anu
Private Sam Hickman also OF Lead
Vile.
A statement issued by the War De
partment shows that the total receipts
from all sources In the island Of Cuba
during the month OF October were
81 .423. .GJO77. The total. receipts OF
the island from all sources during the
last ten months were 81. los. $3.50;
the average per month being $l,2lO.-
S6G53.
1t is well understood here that real
agreement Of some kind has been ar.
ranged between Germany. England
and America. Nothing Oflicial can be
learned upon the matter, but no denial
In made by those In touch with the .ad-
ministratiOn. The threatening note
sent by Mckinley 10 Kruger IL regard.
ed as pointing unmistakably toward
the existence Of an alliance.
Postmaster General Charles Emory
Smith In 4 general order to-day for
mally declared all mail matter passing
between the United States and Puerto
Rico. the Philippine archipelago and
Guam subject TO the United States
domestic classification, conditions
and rates OF postage. The same system
applies to all mall matter sent by or
addressed TO persons In the United
States military. naval or civil service
In Cuba or Hawaii.
Dewey's Enthusiastically frank
statement regarding the transfer Of the
gift house had the effect. almost In
simultaneously. OF hushing adverse
criticism which had assalled him. In-
stead. tclegtnms began pouring In upon
him from all parts OF the country con-
tanning messages Of sympathy and con-
graduating him on taking the public
Into his confidence ns TO the motives
which dictated the transfer. The ad
mirnl Is pleased at the turn of events.
and hopes the incident is now closed.
A correspondent says: II Admiral
Dewey had taken the public Into his
confidence: II he had consulted the
committee that raised the money and
bought the house: II he had been as
frank and free In discussing the dlspo-
sItion OF his own and his wife's prop
erty as he was in describing the details
OF his courtship and marriage. he
might have saved his halo. for he can
never make the people believe that the
transfer TO his son was not nm after.
thought The popular verdict IL
against him. The people are as jealous
collectively MS individually.
Contracts for the six new 300 ton
cruisers were awarded to-day at the
navy department In accordance with
the recommendations OF the board OF
construction. one To each OF the follow
ing firms: William X. Trigg OF Rich
mond. Lewis Nixon Of Elizahethport.
New Jersey. the Bath Iron Works OF
Bath. Maine. the Union Iron Works Of
San Francisco. California. the Fore
River Engine Company OF Braintr.c.
Massachusetts. and Neafie 4 Levy Of
Philadelphia. The latter are 10 build
the cruiser Denver.
The Chinese minister wns visitor at
the state department. and II In suriniseti
that his call upon Secretary Hay was
attributable To the recent European Gu.
blegrnms which have disturbed him by
their free expression OF n purpose to
regulate the affairs OF his country on
the part of Europe and America. The
answers Of the European governments
to our request touching the "oIrn door
have not yet been received. so that the
President will b. obliged TO make this
matter the subject Of special message
10 congress and 10 treat II In the most
general manner In his regular message.
Claims have been filed up to date on
account Of damages sustained By
American citizens through the Spanish
wnr to the amouit OF f25.0O.GD. and
the President Is expected to submit n
recommendation 10 Congress In his
message looking 10 the creation Of a
commission To adJudlcatc these claims
and make provision for the paym~n, Of
such rs ARE found to H. legitimate. Tn.
treaty OF peace excuses Spain from
paying indcmniilcs upon claims that
have arisen sine. the beginning Of the
recent insurrcc'Ion In Cuba. and re-
Iulrcs this government 10 ndjudicat.
and settle such of these demands Of Its
own citizens against Spain as are reiIn-
puishcd In the treaty.
II Is understood that Secretary OF
War Root In his annual report and the
President In his m"-sag. 10 concr...
Will recommend that the island OF Cubn
h" divided Into two departments for
III" administration OF government. II
III" suggestion II carried Into effect
General Leonard Wood will b.,otn.
governor general of tn. eastern pro.
vince. with h.ndInnrtcr. mt Santiago,
and General Ludlow governor Of the
western province. with Headquarters
NJ Havana. Secretary Root. who hn.
given III" matter careful consideration.
has reached the conclusion that the ~.
construction OF the island eau i,~ l,cs,
accomplished by dividing II Into two
departments.
II II now stated on tho best Of au.
thority that Major GENERAL N~i.,n A.
Miles will carry hi. night to the fiaorv
of Congress. II. demands jus,jcr.
which h~ claims has NO, been given
him. either Under the Als-r regime or
that II Secretary Root. liz says ths,
he Ii ienor~d In all military. mas,~ru.
aud he wants 10 know whether h~ ia
really the commander of the army or
whether th~ administration can NJ.
strain him and rursaii his v..a,~si pow.
era Thefw II no doubt hut that ths
aRhtiuR hlani of the old wnrpios h.