The state herald., 1899-12-22
FROM WASHINGTON.
GOSSIP OF THE WHITE HOUSE
AND THE DEPARTMENTS.

I
leaders of their party In the House of
Representatives made mistake is not
allowing the Democrats to submit a
substitute for the finance bill SO that
they could be placed squarely on rec
ord.
The Senate, by decisive vote and
practically without discussion, laid on
the table the Pettigrew resolution of
inquiry as to whether or not the United
States forces recognized the Filipino
lnsurgent flag and had turned over
Spanish soldiers to the insurgents.
-Four members of the House were
born in England, four in Ireland, four
In Germany, two in Scotland, two In
Canada, one in Nova Scotia and one
In Turkey. More members of the
House of Representatives We're born in
| New York than in any other state,
forty-four altogether.
Commander Il. =. Wood. U. s. N.
died Of typhoid fever Mt his residence
here Monday. He was in command of
the gunboat Petrol at the battle of
Manila bay. Since his return to the
United States his health has been bro
ken and he has lacked the power to
throw off the disease which caused his
death.
1t is stated that the Danish govern
ment has made another effort to sell
the Danish West Indies to the United
| States. The proposition was laid be-
fore the State Department by repre-
sentative OF the Danish government,
anu the matter is now under considera-
ton. The American embassy in Lon
don Is assisting In the negotiations.
The price asked for the islands Is 3d.
0OO,OO0.
The Popullst party of the present
Congress has smaller representation
than at any time in ten years, but 1t
makes up in ability and energy what 1t
lacks in numbers. Judge John @. Bell
of Colorado, now beginning his fourth
term In the House. is the leader Of the
party and the chairman of Its caucus.
He was also again the candidate OF the
party for the speakership. an honor for
which he was twice before selected.
The precedent in the Roberts case is
expected TO be followed when General
Wheeler returns from the Philippines
and presents himself at the bar of the
House to take the oath of office. Rep
resentative Bailey of Texas, who dur
ing last session was the leader of the
Democratic minority. intends to object
to General Wheeler ON the constitution
al ground that by'acccpting a commits
sion In the army he vacated his seat in
Congress.
In the congressional directory Sena-
tor Teller describes himself ms n "Sil-
yer Republican" Mr.. Shafroth of Den
yer says that lie Is "Silverite." Mr..
/ NIr nj
describe themselves ms "Populists." Mr.
Kyle of South Dakota puts himself
down ms an Independent" while Mr..
Stewart, Mr.. Jones and Mr.. Newlands
OF Nevada say that they are ''of the
Silver party
An appeal by Mr.. Mason OF Illinois
for an expression of sympathy for the
Transyaal republic in Its war with
Great Britain was the feature of the
Senate proceedings Monday. II was
the first formal address delivered in
the Senate this session, and was list
cned TO with thoughtful attention by
both the members and n large gallery
OF auditors. The resolution upon
which Mr.. Mason based his speech was
referred. at the conclusion of the ad
dress. TO the foreign relations commit
tee.
with solemn pomp and circumstance,
with ceremonies beautiful, impressive
and appropriate. In the presence OF
distinguished asscmblage, and In the
full splcndor OF ideal autumn weather.
the centennial OF the death OF George
Washington was commcmorntcd ON the
lith at Mount Vernon. The cercmon-
les We're deliberately planned and sue
cessfully carried TO fruitlon. They
were conducted by the Masonic bodies
and by the Red Men OF the United
States. President Mckinley and Sen
ator Depew We're the principal speak
crs.
The President has caused It to be
known through the usual channels
among the politicians who are gather
Ing here 10 attend the meeting OF the
Republican National committee, that
he prefers that no federal office holders
shall be sent ms delegates TO the next
presidential convention. No order will
bc issued ON this subject, nor VIII any
formal request be made, but the word
viii be passed around among the com
mitteemen and party managers. as
well ms federal oiiiceholdcrs In differ,
ent states. The only penalty attached
TO dlsobedlcnce Is the Presidents dis.
pleasure.
Mlsinicrprctatlon 10y employees
throughout the country OF the recent
ruling ms To the status OF married wo-
men ms posioiiice clerks led TO state
mcnt Thursday by First Assistant
Postmaster General Heath. He rclter-
ntes that the presence OF husband and
wife as clerks In the same office IL In.
lmical to the service and that her 30.
sltion should go 10 someone who had
no means OF support. lie says: II In.
tend 10 apply this ruling TO female
clerks who In the future marry. Fe-
male postoiiicr clerks already married
nnd whose employment under their
married names has been approved by
the department. win not be disturbed
under this ruling
The fact thnt four vacancies exist In
the Senate. owing to the failure OF
state Legislatures To elect senators,
hns resulted In n capitalization OF pub.
! lie sentiment favorable 10 the election
OF scnntorn by direct vote Of the pco.
/ pie This agitation win bc conspicu.
ous In the nations legislative halls.
Ten Joint resolutions bearing upon this
subject have been introduced In the
House of Congress. A strong effort Il
10 bc mnde during this session 10 pass
n resolution which win submit n con.
stiiutionnl amendment 10 the Leglsln.
tur,~ OF the different states. A poll ~
tho Senate shows the South Ia he nj.
most unanimously In favor OF the clcc.