The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-01-27
x WASHINGTON LETTER. -
Washington, D. c. }
January "a, 1899.

bring forth in the action of this COZ
gress. The situation changes lik
the hues of a chameleon. Last wee]
it seemed-possible to predict certai,
results. Today the most astut,
statesman in Washington would no
risk a silk hat on a bet of what will
be accomplished BY this session, @,
whether it will do anything. Here
are some OF the factors that compli
cate the political game:
Peace treaty in danger, may not
be ratified.
Mastery inactivity of the demo.
Gratis makes the republicans very
anxious.
Gen. Eagan is to be court martial.
ed for his abusive language to Gen.
Miles.
Eagan-Miles scandal has probably
killed the Hull army reorganization
bill.
Anti-expansion democrats insist
that we aid the Philippines to self
government instead of annexiny
them. Treat them as We do Cuba"
is the cry.
Seldom has the game of politics
been played with so much tact and
with such absorbing interest as in
the last few days.
ITO do or not to do"-congress
propounds the question to itself a
half-dozen times a day and apparent
~ makes up it's mind a different
way each time. AS the situation
now stands the chances are against
this congress accomplishing a bless
ed thing-not even the ratification
OF the peace treaty.
The silver men are doing the bust
ness. They are conducting their
campaign in behalf of the people
with all the guile of the serpent and
the harmlessness of the dove. Sena-
tor Davis as chairman of the com
mlttee on foreign relations says 1--WE
will reach the peace treaty in good
time,' but the opposition has stolen
a march on him. They simply ask
the republicans to show that they
are acting in good faith when they
deny that the ratification of this
treaty fastens the Philippines on us
for good: Senator German has the
opposition wei organized. 1t sim
ply says to the friends of the treaty:
"Your treaty car be ratified within
"a hours If you will agree to the
passage of a resolution declaring
that it is not the purpose of the
United States to establish a per-
marent colonial dependency in the
Philippines.'
No amendment to the treaty it.
self is asked. The senate ought to
be willing to go on record if it doe
not want the islands for all time.
1t is the simplest and most humane
thing to do, ~justas in Cuba-that is,
maintain control long enough to
secure a stable self-government. If
the natives are not capable of tho,
we have no earthly use for them as
= part of our great country.
They do not slow the slightes,
intention Of pursuing this course.
They are canvassing the votes and
using this argument and tina, will
the anti-expansionists. They spend
even more time on their seceders
tt an on the democrats. But your
Uncle Hoar is like the granite ribs
of New England. He simply sticks
to his opinion and gains new follow.
ers every day. A week ago it was
thought the peace treaty had votes
enough to ratify. They have melted
away. The expansionists do not
dare to risk discussion of the treaty
yet. The antls must be placated in
some way.
Meanwhile the silver senators are
In a very comfortable frame of mind.
They need not reject the treaty.
They will not, under proper cir
c~umstances. All they have to do is
to prolong the discussion.
Waiting time is not usually to b.
commended but it may be the wisest
thing to do until the republicans
come to their senses. Public senti-
mert is shaping itself very definite
ly. The senate will yet notice that
We want the Phi1ipnineS ahon+ .,