The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1899-02-16
Warrington Letter.
washington Feb. ID, 1899


BOSS" Mason is the title that has been
Peculiarly given to Senator Mason, since
he compelled the senate to agree to vote
on the McEnery Philippine resolution. 1t
wasn't new thing that Senator Mason
did. either. He merely got the floor and
made sensational speech about our kill
ing the Filipinos and promises that had
been made to get votes for the ratification
of the treaty and which senator's were
trying to squirm out Of, and then an
nounced his intention to keep on talking
until the senate agreed to vote on the
McEnery resolution. The senate agreed
at once. Senator Quay worked this dodge
in the tariff debate. In this particular
instance the whole thing is a case OF
'much ado about nothing" as no sort OF
a resolution adopted by the senate would
be anything more than simply an express
sion of the opinion of the majority, which
would be binding on nobody.
A battle royal Is on between the pfesi-
dent and the senators who oppose the
Hull army bill, which was recently pass
| ed by the house, aud which after being
slightly amended in committee has been
reported to the senate. The senators say
that the bill will not be allowed to pass,
and Offer, as compromise, to authorize the
maintenance of the present status of the
regular army, for another year from the
first of next July. The presidentrejected
the compromise and served notice on those
who rendered 1t, that IL the Hull bill was
not passed, he would call an extra sessior
of the next congress as soon as the pres
ent session ends. The senators say they
intend to fight the Hull bill to the end
and that they can stand an extra session
il the president can. There the matter
stands. If one or the other doesn't Civ
way, an extra session is certain, and man!
think it certain, regardless of the arm.
bill, by reason of the probable failure o
some OF the appropriation bills. and re
gard the fight over the army bill as merel,
an attempt by politicians to place the re
sponsibility for an extra session on tn
other side. Everybody admits that
will be the action or nOn-action OF tn
senate that will determine whether an ex
ira session will be held. How doubtfu
5 that body is may he judged from the fo
lowing words, said to have been used b
Speaker Reed, in a recent conversation
sGod only knows what the senate will de
and he won't tell"
What the navy department said frs
about Schley and Sampson, 1t says las
1t has sent copy of the official record
of Schley and Sampson to the senate, an
those records make bad showing fe
Schley and good one for Sampson, br
: whether Schley's friends will accept then
is yet to be ascertained.
According to the latest from Gener,
Otis, there is no longer an organized arm
of Filipinos on the island of Luzon. This
army was doomed from the hour thu
Aguinaldo was foolish enough to order
to attack our troops at Manila. in or
short week it has been whipped as fast 1
our troops could get at them, and is no
no more. Gen. Otis has been allowed
conduct the whole business to suit hin
self, and nobody need be surprised at an
time to get news that he has capture
Aguinaldo. although 1t might be best II
all concerned IL Aguinaldo should oscar
and go to Europe to enjoy some of IL
money he has stolen In the Philippines.
The proposal to add the Hepburn Nj
aragua canal bill to the river and harb
bill, as an amendment, had to be aba
those who are.interested In getting tn
bill through, and Mr.. Hepburn has Civ,
notice that he would offer the bill as
amendment to the sundry civil appropl
alton bill, which is ROW being consider
by the house. While large majority
the house would gladly vote for Mic
ragua canal bill notwithstanding the wal
ing Of Chairman Cannon, of the dang
of increasing appropriations, it Is not
all certain they will vote for it rs rid
to an appropriation bill. Many membt
regadd such method of Legislation a.
dangerous precedent to set up. Speak
. Reed and some OF the best parliament
rians La congress are strongly opposed
the idea. Consequently its adoption
doubtful.
While President NcKinley's spec
message TO congress, pointing out
pressing need for q cable controlled
1.-The u. 8. to Hawaii and the Paiaippin