The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1899-03-17
M'KINLEY TAKES a DROP.
The ImperiaIixtic Administration il
beginning To Fiddle Sec
ond Term Tune.


The president. who swore he never
would consent, has at least consented
TO something less than an Increase of
the standing army To 100000 men. He
has, in fact. consented 10 something not
very different from the Cockrell bill,
which was rendered TO him some time
ago as sort OF democratic ultimatum.
Ale bill agreed upon provides that the
regular army may be kept up TO the
maximum of $4,000 men, now author
lied by law. until July /, 1901. or for
about two years and four months from
| the present time. IL also authorizes
the president TO raise $4,000 men for
volunteer service If necessary TO serve
for the same length of time II not soon
er discharged. These additional troops
may be raised either at home or in the
subject provinces. in the discretion OF
the pre- sident. but they are TO serve only
in tho provinces. Unless otherwise or
dered by congress in the meantime, the
army will be reduced TO 81 900 men July
/. 1901.
When Mr.. Mckinley returned TO
Washington after communing with the
Home Market club in Boston, he was
very stiff on the army question. lie
told a body of republican leaders Of the
two houses who called to see him on the
subject that he deemed it their duty 10
hold out for standing army of 100 900.
and tina. he would much rather call the
ncw congress together in extra ses-
sion than accept anything less.
What has happened TO bring about
so great change Of mind, amounting
almost 10 a complete surrender 10 the
democrats? 1t is explained that party
leaders have been laboring with him
and have succeeded in convincing hin
that it would be dangerous 10 convene
the new congress in extra session. They
have convinced him that it would b'
dangerous because the new congress
would make haste to vote away man!
millions Of money for shipping boun
ties. canal-digging and other purposes
and make II evident tothe country that
so far from reducing the war taxes. j
would be necessary 10 increase them
or else issue more bonds to get ~
money needed for the execution Of III
various numbers on the imperial pro
gramme.
Toe shrewd republican politicians ar
alarmed at the prospect. They think
would be disastrous 1.-THE party 10 hay
il discovered by the people before III
mex. presidential election that the ne'
departure is going TO fasten more tina
the so-called war taxes upon them as
permanent burden. Accordingly. W
!. are told BY the correspondent Of an in
= perialistic paper that permanent r.
: organization Of the army viii be pr
vided for by the next congress. but
is quite possible that il Will be deferre
: until the second session, 80 that il WI
(, not become a campaign issue
1t was pretty plain that on his r
F, turn from Boston to the capital q
= pre- ideni wanted good excuse for ca
ing an extra session, and had no fc
> OF the effect upon Ills party or his or
= pros poets OF either the standing arm
= bill. or the various bills TO deplete 4
- treasury He evidently was inhaste
have thrs measures put through. ~
the country Thoroughly committed 10 =
entire costly programme while the 70
u,ar blood was UP and the imperial
was on.
But other politicians have been hol
! ing their ears 10 the ground and th'
have heard some things that Mr. N
kinley has not heard. They have J
ported TO him that it. will not be 81
! to let the people know all about q
1, cost Of the glorious new policy OF mi
x ing in world politics until he is :
curelv booked for four years more
tho white house. Then, during the SC
ond session Of the incoming congrcs
y Will be the time TO increase the stan
81 ing army, and turn loose the yario
- syndicates that are so impatient TO e
% at the public treasury.
These politicians seem To have s.
ceeded in convincing Mr.. Mckinley IN
II will not be safe for him or his par
to let the people know any more abo
their designs until after the votes Ia
~ been counted year from next Mover
Der. Ii will nearly break the hearts
Hanna Mckinley q Co. 10 wait SO Ion
: bu, they will bear up as well as m
:. be. consoling themselves with the
II Election that all things come 70 the
=. who wait. while the inpatient are We
:, likely to brighten the game before th
get within rance.--JhicaGo Chronic
Vindtcntion of the PLATFORM.
TO want to call your attention 10 sol
of the events which have been vim
N. eating the position taken in the {
= cago platform. DO you remember Il
in that platform we declared pref
ence for an income tax? ! never COT
:. understand how any person who &C