The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-01-27
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
WASHINGTON, -. c., January 23rI.

WASHINGTON. ID. c., January 23rd.
Mr.. EDIToR:-Senator German publicly
called a halt on the statement that he and
the Sen ators who are acting with him in
trying to procure a declaration that the
policy of this government does not con
template permanent ownership of the
Philippines are trying to delay or prevent
a vote on the treaty of Peace. Privately,
/ Senator German proposed to Senator
Davis, who is in charge Of the treaty, that
a day be set to vote upon it, and Mr. Davis
was afraid to accept, because he was not
certain that the treaty could control a suf
ticient number of votes to be ratified, and
the opposition were claiming to have
thirty-six votes pledged against the treaty,
unless it was amended to meet their views.
Of course, Mr.. German would not speak
publicly about this private conference
with Senator Davis, but in discussing the
matter, he said the following significant
words, after having said that the admins
tration could get vote on the treaty
whenever it wanted it: "Of course, if the
friends of the treaty deem it wise to post
pone action until an extra session of Con-
gress, they are in position to carry out
their purpose There is little doubt that
the sentiment against our permanent re-
tention of the Philippines is growing in
the Senate, and while it may not yet be
strong enough to secure the adoption of
an amendment to the treaty, it begins to
look as though it will be strong enough to
compel the adoption of resolution by the
Senate, unless the administration decide
to allow the treaty to 60 over to an extra
session.
The speech of Representative James
Hamilton Lewis, of Washington, in which
he pilloried Representative Grosvcnor, of
Ohio, numerically, just after Representa-
tive Bailey, of Texas, Carmack, of Tenn
essee, and Simpson, of Kansas, had pep
pered him with short retorts, was as fine
an example of the proper use of sarcasm
in speech as had been given On the floor
of the House for years. No extract can
give a correct idea of Mr.. Lewis speech,
but the following, which came after his
charging Grosvenor with posing as the
exclusive custodian of the patriotism of
the country, and with ringing the changes
on one speech, always ending by pointing
dramatically to the Stars and Stripes be-
hind the Speakers desk, will give some
idea of his style: "When all these arrows
were shot from the culver of my friend
from Ohio it occurred to me that there
was something on his mind besides an
humble Representative from Washington
and distinguished gentleman from Kan
sas. There was a United States Senate
which had not received from the gentle
man the bastinading that it deserved
And then it was that we witnessed this
Fidus Achates of the administration, this
sole deputized executor of its castigating
powers-this eminent and worthy Repre-
sentative. let me add-rising to warn that
honorable branch of the executive power,
the Senate of the United States, that if it
did not proceed to do that as to which
there seems to be some doubt IN my friend $
mind whether they will do it or not, they
will hear from him again.
The River and Harbor Bill carries direc,
appropriations for $12,503,13 besides
continuing contracts aggregating SIG, 791,-
538, as reported to the House, and it is the
invariable rule of the Senate to increase
it by few millions.
Senator White says he will not obey the
instructions of the California legislature,
to vote for the ratification of the treaty of
Peace, because he is unalterably opposed
to its ratification, and does not regard the
instructions as binding upon him, against
his conscience and convictions Senator
Perkins says that in Difference to the leg
islature he will swallow his convictions
and vote for the treaty.
Commissary General Eagan has been
relieved of all official duties pending his
trial by the court martial which has been
ordered to assemble in Washington this
week. That the court martial will find
Eagan guilty of the charge of conduct I'M
becoming an officer and gentleman, is
regarded as certain. The punishment is
dismissal from the army, but inasmuch as
the President has authority to set aside or
lessen the punishment, it is regarded as
doubtful whether that penalty will be i'm
posed upon Eagan. War Department Off
Gals have allowed it to become known
that they do not expect Eagan to resume
the duties of Commissary General. Mr.
McKinleys action on the Eagan verdict
may determine whether Secretary Alger
will remain in the Cabinet, although some
think that Alger will remain anyway, I'M
less kicked out, in order to try to get even
with General Miles. He is known to be
pulling all the political wires within his
reach fer the purpose of trying to make
trouble for Miles, and the beef contractors
are helping him. There is rumor in
Washington that both Alger and Miles
will be dismissed as result of the report
of the War Investigating Commission, but
that the report will be held by Mr. Nc
Kinley until after Congress adjourns, as
he fears its effect upon that body.
DR.. DAILY, who was Chief Surgeon on
the staff of Gen. Miles, demonstrated for
the War Investigating Commission, by
actual tests made by government chemists,
that the refrigerated beef issued to the
troops of General Miles in Porto Rico was
treated with boric and salicylic acids, was
in fact "embalmed'
At Mr.. McKinley's request, an amend
ment will be offered to the Sundry Civil
Appropriation bill to provide the money
to begin the work of caring for Confeder
ate graves located outside of private Gene
teries.