The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-01-05
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

as brilliant as usual but there was a
tinge of sadness in Congressional and
Diplomatic circles which could not be
shaken off. They could not forget
that the remains of the oldest Sena-
tor, both in years and in service
Morrill,, of Vermont,-after a funeral
Saturday afternoon, in the Senate
Chamber, were on the way to his
state for interment; nor that the fun
eral of the oldest diplomat, in point
of service, and probably the most
popular personally - Senior Matias
Romero late Mexican ambassador to
the United States - was only held
Sunday afternoon and was attended
by most of them. Senior Romero first
came to Washington in 1859 and with
the exception of several short periods
had been continuously connected with
the Diplomatic Corps until his death.
President Mckinley thought serious
ly of abandoning the reception, be-
cause of these two deaths so close to-
gether, but after comforting, by proxy,
with leading diplomats he concluded
to hold it.
In view of the critical condition of
affairs in the Philippines for which
Spanish duplicity and Germany's
secret dealing with Aquinaldo are
believed to be partly responsible, de-
lay in ratifying the treaty of peace
will be almost criminal, because it
NAV result in a considerable loss of
life and property. 1t is generally ad-
mitted that the ratification of the
treaty has no bearing one way OF the
other ON the final disposition of the
Philippines or on the question of ex-
pansion, and seventy senators have
promised to vote for notifications
therefore there is absolutely no excuse
for delay, and those senators who at
tempt it, if any do, will invite the
public condemnation that they will
almost certainly receive.
The condition of the United States
Treasury now and one year ago fur
nishes an object to the world of the
almost limitless financial resources of
this country. Most nations emerge
from a war with their finances in a
more or less crippled condition. Not
so with this country. We fought a
victorious war, all on a cash basis,
and we have a cash balance in our
treasury of about $50, 200, 100000 more
than we had one year ago. Here are
the exact figures, which will arouse
the envy of the richest nations of the
world: Cash balance on hand Janu
airy /, 1898, $685., 474, 769; cash balance
January 1, 1899, 1890, 100000.
THE charge of General Miles, that
beef unfit for use was furnished the
army during the war with Spain, is
likely to be thoroughly investigated.
The War Investigating Commission
is now working upon it and the Sec
rotary of War has ordered a Board of
Survey, composed of army officers, 10
make a searching investigation of the
charge and to report its findings as
early a S possible. Col. DENLY,
member of the War Investigating
Commission, says the canned beef in
dustry is at stake; that if the charge
of General Miles is proven American
canned beef will be barred out of
every country in the world, which
would be very serious matter, not
only to meat packers, but to cattle
raisers.
AT the last meeting of the Cabinet
Secretary Hay was instructed to dis
approve the Serynser cable conces-
sion, which was obtained from the
late Governor of Hawaii upon the
condition that it should lapse if dis
approved by the United States Secre-
tary of State within six months.
This concession gave the company
monopoly of all cable communication
with Hawaii, II d it's disapproval
leaves the whole matter open. 1t is
considered certain that there will
soon be cable communication with
Hawaii, but whether it will be estab-
lished by the Government or by pri-
vate corporation is yet to be settled.
The Department of State has just
received from Consul General r. F.
Patterson, at Calcutta, India, re-
port showing the average monthly
pay in United States money, of differ
ent sorts of laborers in India. An
able bodied farm laborer is paid from
$3.50 to $3.50 a month; and skilled
from 81 to 50; household servants
from 1925 to SO; common masons,
carpenters and blacksmiths from 81
to $3.50; hostler from 50 to $3.50; un-
skilled railway labor from $1.60 to
$212, and skilled from "a to $40,
and cooley laborers from $3.50 to
$225. These would seem to be beg
carly wages if the employers fed the
persons employed, but they do not;
the poor devils have to buy their