The Press., 1899-12-28
Washington Letter.


"6oAAnBtOn, Dee 70 lSSS.
washington is one of the best places, and
during Christmas congressional recess
"ne OF the best times,'o see the statesmen
as they really are when they are off duty.
ln other places they always seem to be
posings, but In Washington posing would
only get thcm laughed ut consequently
they are seen for just what they are, and
that Ia just about what the same number
OF men In any calling are. AS usual,
considerable number Of senators and rep
resentatives are spending their holiday H.
IN Washing' on. As a rule they are doing
no work, but Speaker Henderson Is one
OF the exceptions; he remained In Wash
lhgton to do some work that he could not
get time 10 do while congress is In session.
The members Of a sub committee Of thu
Roberts committee are prepared to take
some additional testimony In the Roberts
case, but no witnesses have arrived.
! The fund for the widow and children of
Gen. Lawton has reached $1,000 and is
still growing.
The announcement of Chairman Burton.
OF the house committee on rivers and
harbors. that no river and harbor bill
would be reported at this session Of con-
gress, has caused some grumbling, but as
the announcement was made under in
| structions from the leaders OF the majority,
1t Is likely to hold good.
Some Of the friends of the Nicaragua
| canal In both house and senate, are de-
termined to try to push bill providing
for the construction of the cannal through
at this session Of congress, without wait
ing for the r-p"rt Of the canal commission
hich will not be made for at least a year
Il Is perfectly understood, a. 1t was at thu
time. that the sole ohj-ct In view when
he canal commission was legislated for
ny congress. was to delay legislation for a
canal. It Is also believed that majority
IN both house and senate would vote for
bill to construct a caral. IL given an
| pportunity to do SO, but, owing to ap-
| roach of the presidential campaign ard
he fact that large appropriations for
other purposes, will be- absolutely neces-
-ary, 1t Is very doubtful whether the lead
',s will allow a canal bill to ne voted on
at this session they will quiet those who
| would like to vote for the bill by tell nv
hem that littl.. time will be lost by wait
/ M until the next session, whtn the re-
port of the canal commission will b.
ready.
The recomme' da'ion OF Inspector-G Gen.
"ral Breckenridge, in his annual report,
| for the creation Of joint army and navy
oard. for the purpose Of arrangii g for a
more thor oueh cooperation between the
rwo branches Of the service, is highly
commended IA a step In the right direct
Ion. There were sevt ral tim~s during the
val with Sp; In when the lack of intelli-
,ent Co operation between the army and
navy, notably the landing of General Shat
t"r's army in Cuba, would have led to
serious and disastrous consequences h I'd
| We been opposed by a more alert and Wig
orous enemy than the Spanish. Recently
thetwn branches of the service have work.
I'd well together in thu Philippines, but it lie
known that there we're times, just after
the arrival Of our army at Manila, when
they did not.
The president has intimated to General
Wheeler, who is said to be dissatisfied
with the command given m in the Phili-
pines, that he will not undertake the task
OF advising him either to remain where he
10 or to return to Washington and try to
resume his seat In congress, and the
movement to get Gen. Wheeler appointed
a brigadier general in the regular army,
and at once retired, seems not to progress.
The opinion is growing that there will be
IstrOng opposition to the seating OF Gen.
Ieral Wheeler should he return to Wash.
ingtOn and ask to be sworn In as mem.
beT Of the house.