Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-03-02
WASHINGTON LETT En-.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Feb. q, 1899

Mr.. McKinley's backdown from bis army
bill bluff will 90 down in Congressional
history as the most complete ever made by
a President The Democratic victory is
complete The new Army bill is pTac-
tically lust what was offered to the admin
istration by Senator Cocl<rell, on behalf of
those Senators who opposed large stand
ing army-it provides for continuing the
present status of the regular army of
81 600 men for two years from next July,
and for enlisting So, 600 volunteers foS the
same period. The administration Senators
fairly fell oyer each other in their anxiety
to accept Senator Cockrell's offer. The
next Congress, which will be Republican
in both branches, will probably infiict a
large standing army on the country, but
that will not deprive the Senators who
killed the bill to do so at this time, of
deserved credit.
Our Philippines policy is bearing fruit
quickly. 10 addition to having an expen-
sive war with the Filipinos ON our hands.
Dewey's dispatch to hurry up the battle
ship Oregon indicates the belief on his
part that there is danger of war with more
powerful opponents. just how great this
danger is can only be guessed, becau e
officials are concealing what information
they have and pretending that the despatch
from Dewey, which was made public by
mistake, had no meaning. Little informa-
ton can be gained from private dispatches
from Manila as they are all strictly CEN
sored, but it is known that conditions are
critical, and that European consuls there
are making some stiff claims on account
of the recent partial burning Of the town.
Mr.. Mckinley has been catching it again
from members of his own party in Con-
gress. Senator Sewell, who voted for ratifi-
cation of the treaty and for everything else
that has been asked for by the admins
tration, was SO stirred up by the progress
of the war with the Filipinos, that be let
out the fact that he had supported the
Mckinley policy against his own judg-
ment He said emphatically never
was in favor of the acquisition of the
Philippines" and added that he had beg
ged Mr. Mckinley to order Dewey away
from Manila. after he won his victory. MT.
SeweIl thinks the Filipinos will have to be
practically exterminated before we can
control the Philippines. He also thinks
that we shall soon be at war with Cuba.
because of the administration policy.
Last Friday, Representative johnson, of
Ind, a Republican, made long speech,
nearly every sentence of which contained
an attack upon Mr. Mckinley. He said
of those who attacked Alger and praised
Mr.. Mckinley that they have lacked
the courage to lay their ak to the root of
the evil and centure the gentleman who,
to reward him for his political services and
disbursements 10 the campaign of '96,
appointed him tAlger) to his present posi-
ton and had maintained him there ever
since, notwithstanding his incompetency
and against the righteous complaints that
have been made against him. He said
that Mr.. McKinley's recent Boston address
was nothing more or less than carefully
devised misstatement of the issue" and Of
our Philippine policy: insist that the
whole policy is not simply an error, but
that it is a crime, and that the Chief
Executive of this nation is the one who
has precipitated upon us the embarrass-
ments and difficulties by which we are
now confronted" Speaking of the claim
that Mr.. Mckinley acted upon the advice
Of Dewey, in demanding the Philippines,
Mr.. johnson said THE Chief Executive
cannot screen himself behind the gold lace
Ol lu6 HcFO Vi HdUlld. II OK pIcobCU luC
opinion that the real reason for Mr. Nc
Kinley's policy was his concessions to the
selfish capitalists of the country, his sur
render to their demands. These are the
gentlemen who furnished the money for
his nomination and election. and who,
doubt not, have pledged him a re-nomina-
tioa and reelection. These are the gentle
men who are already grasping after special
privileges in the Philippines, in Cuba, and
Porto Ricn. 1t was, imagine, for their
especial benefit that the President created
his Advisory Board to the War Depsrt-
ment."
1t is an open secret in Washington that
Mr.. Mckinley would be glad to receive
Alger's resignation The story circulated
last week that Alger was about to resign
originated ia administration circles, and
was doubtless hint to Alger. 1t brought
out the defiant statement from Alger that
he did not intend to resign, OF bis own
accord He is said to believe that Mr..
Mckinley is afraid to ask for his resigna-
ton. although be knows that he is con-
stantly being advised by prominent Repub-
licans to do so.
When the Morgan Nicaragua Canal bill
passed the Senate, there was seven votes
cast against it; when the River and Har-
Dor bill, containing an amendment proyid-
ing for the building of the Nicaragua
Canal passed the Senate. only three votes
we're cast against it-SenatOrs Pettigrew,
Teller and Rawlins, neither of whom are
opposed to the Canal under what they con-
slider proper conditions
Mr.. Mckinley has nominated Ex-Seere-
tary Day to u S Circuit Court Judgeship.