The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-03-25
SOME VIEWS AT WASHINGTON
tBY c. A. EpwARps.1


Washington, March 2t--tstaff Specially
There is no doubt in the minds of the
people here who have any knowledge ON
the subject. that 1t Is the fixed intention OF
tho republican leaders to reduce the rep
resentation in tho Southern States on ac-
count OF the race troubles in North Caro-
lima last fall and the attempt of the people
OF that State to get rid of that problem by
State legislation. Just before the Fifty
fifth congress adjourned bill was intro
duccd in the house of representatives pro-
viding for the collection OF statistics as to
voting rights, to be collected as part of
the National census OF 1900. The plain in5
tention of the measure Is to obtain d basis
for dealing blow at the Southern States
in tho matter of representation because
they have abridged the franchise so as TO
deal properly with ignorance and vonality.
There Is growing feeling in this country
that the elective franchise has been made
altogether too cheap and the movement in
favor Of an educational qualification is be-
coming sure enough question of expan-
sion. This thing of allowing anything that
wears breeches to vote. and thus burden
the educated and taxpaying people of this
country through ignorance venality and
sentiment is theoretical idiocy and II Is
fast wearing itself to fragile. The rapid
advance OF this feeling is going to serl-
ously interfere with any game of repre-
sentation reduction in the South by the
|
gress. The bill providing for the ''collec-
ton OF statistics as TO voting rights,
which was introduced by Mr.. Crum-
! packer OF Indiana did not become a law,
but it is understood that Director Mer-
RAM of the census bureau will make
preparations to carry out It's provisions in
anticipation OF its passage at the next
session OF congress. II partisan repub-
lican congress should pass such a measure,
however, It will not affect the voting pow
err of the respective States In the presi-
Dental election OF 1900,
~
Admiral Dewey's cablegram announcing
the safe arrival of the batteship Oregon
at Manila is almost as ambiguous as his
dispatch asking that the Oregon be ssni
to him for political reasons" Admira
Dewey states that the Oregon has arrived
navy department undertook to explain Ad-
miral Dewey's dispatch calling for tht
Oregon for political reasons" by saying
that he was anxious to have a suitable shir
on hand in which to receive the commits
sloners appointed by the president to in
vestigate the Philippine proposition. This
explanation was regarded as rather diaph
anous at the time It was made Admira
Dewey's dispatch confirms this impress
sion. The situation in the Philippines Il
believed to be more serious than has beer
generally reported The censorship owe
the press and other dispatches from Manil;
Is known to be most rigorous. Nothing car
be sent from there by wire that does no
first receive the approval Of the censor
It is. therefore, taken for granted, by tn
initiated, that the real truth regarding
the situation in Manila has been sup
pressed by the administration.
Tho question that a good many pcopl
here are asking in this connection u.s. hoy
much has been kept back? The people ar
entitled to know all the facts and Their
is no good reason apparently why the!
should be withheld Admiral Dewey ha
given evidence of his capacity to handle
difficult and trying situation. He has ais,
shown that he is not man to make falls,
moves or go off half cooked
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y,hor ~ ,.L.a sor tno o.ooa,, 4, l. -,