Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-06-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondents.
WacuTreraN Tune 10 1899


Everybody is ssking everybody else why the
administration is trying so hard TO keep the
people in the dark about what is going on IN the
philippines, when only sh r. time ago y was
its boast that 1t published all the official dis
patches received. IL is known from the press
reports that have been allowed TO pass the Mill
tary Censor at Manila, that hard fighting has
been going on, and the suspicion is growing that
Gen Otis is making some use OF the volunteers
who should be on their way home, II any OF the
numerous promises made had been Kept that
the administration dosen't wish their friends at
home to know until whatever is being attempted
is all over. And 1t is admitted BY officials that
there are differences between Gen. Otis and Mr.
Schurman, President OF the Philippine Commits
sion. but claimed that the differences are unim-
portant. The public doesn't care a continental
about the claims made by officials, but 1t wishes
to know and feels that 1t has tight to know
what is being done with our volunteers; hence
there is general feeling of resentment against
the suppression OF official dispatches.
o OF the principal reasons why Secretary
Alees desires TO retain the war portfolio even
when he knows that Mr.. Mckinley would like 10
get rid of him, will soon become apparent 60
close observers, as it has been announced that
number of franchises for various more or less
valuable concessions In Porto Rico are shortly 70
be granted 1t might naturally be supposed that
such franchises. il granted at all before the
establishment of the civil government for the
island. would besgranted by the Military Cover
nor, but no chances are TO be taken by the men
who are after those franchises; they are TO be
granted by Secretary Alger. and 1t is dollars to
ginger-cakes that every one Of them that Is at
all desirable. win be captured by his friends and
business associates.
McKiney's Civil Service order, Secretary Gage
rather overdid his task, without changing any
body's opinion. Criticisms OF the order haYe
made Mr.. Mckinley very sore, and he has en-
gagged In the explanation business himself and
even tried to get g funny by telling how sur
prised Senators and Representatives have been
who have come after some OF the places ex-
cepted from the Civil Service Rules and found
that they were all filed, and that no removals
were contemplated He also gave out for publ
cation letter from the Board Of the Smith
sonian Institute asking that the heads OF all
the bureaus of that establishment be exempted
from the civil service rules. So much explana-
ish s.spicIon Of that order. The full significance
of the clause which permits the Reinstatement
Of any government employe, regardless OF how
long they have been out of the government
service. is just beginning 70 be seen. Under 1t
every employ who was dism Used during the two
Cleveland administrations can be re-ins tated. II
they have pull enough.
Southerners were pleased by the selection OF
ex-senator Pasco, OF Florida. as one Of the nine
Commissioners named by Mr.. Mckinley to make
an investigation Of the Canal route across the
Isthmus Representative Underwood, Of Ala
bama, declares that the people of his section
regard provision for the building of canal one
of the most important matters TO come before
the next Congress. The last Congress appro-
priated 81 000, COO for this Commission. IL was
UNDERSTOOD ct the time that this provision was
the work of the lobbyists employed by the
Panama Canal Company. Unless those who
think they know are badly mistaken, the Panama
Company is not likely to profit by the Commits
sion, which Is regarded as almost sure to report
In favor OF the Nicaragua route. How soon this
Commission will report is matter of doubt, but
its members have been requested to try to do SO
before OF during the next session OF Congress.
A committee Of distinguished Cubans are in
Washington to protest sgainst the order OF the
War Department suspending all legal proceed
iDgs on debts contracted before last December.
in Cuba and to endeavor to get the order re-
voked, or at least modified They say that the
order is paralyzing the business OF the planters.
by making it impossible for them to borrow
money without paying extortionate interest. but
their chance for success is not encouraging, as
the order in question was one OF Ayers pet
schemes.
Members of the administration are greatly
exercised over the latest news from the Cars
Peace Conference at The Hague, which says
that Germany is opposing the arbitration
scheme. and that it will probably get enough
votes from the smaller powers represented, to
defeat it. There are others, however who would
feel grateful to Germany If it would defeat the
arbitration scheme, because they regard it az
much more likely TO prove hurtful that helpful
to this country. IL adODtAd.