The Meeker herald., 1899-12-23
FROM WASHINGTON.
GOSSIP OF THE WHITE HOUSE
AND THE DEPARTMENTS.


Some of the Republicans think the
leaders of their party in the House OF
Representatives made Il mistake Ii not
allowing the Democrats to submit
suhstItIite for the finance bill 70 that
they could be placed squareiy on rec
ord.
The Senate, by decisive vote and
practically without discussion. laid on
the tnble the Pettigrew resolution OF
INQUIRY as to whether or not the United
States forces recognized the Filipino
| insurgent flag and had turnep over
Spanish soldiers to the insurgents.
-Four members Of the Hoyte were
born in England, four in Irelsnd. four
| In Germany, two in Scotland two In
| CANADA, one in Nova Scotia and one
in Turkey. More members OF the
House of Representatives wereibofn IN
New York than in any othf state,
forty-four altogether.
Commander Il. 2. Wood, U. 8. NJ,
died of typhoid fever ut his fAsidence
| here Monday. He was in Command OF
the gunboat Petrol at the LATHE OF
| Manila bay. Since his return to the
| United States his health has tfen bro
ken and he has lacked the p1wer to
throw OF the disease which caused mis-
death.
1t Is stated that the Danish govern
ment has made another effor 70 sell
the Danish West Indies to the United
States. The proposition was Ad be-
| fore the State Department by repre-
sentative of the Danish government,
anu the matter Is now under considera-
ton, The American embassy in ION
don Is assisting in the negotiations.
The price asked for the islands u f3,-
OOO,OOO.
The Populist party of the present
Congress has a smaller representation
than at any time In ten years, but 1t
makes up In ability and energy what 1t
lacks In numbers. Judge John Q. He'll
of Colorado, now beginning his foufth
term In the House, Ii the leader Of the
party and the chairman Of Its caucus.
He was also again the candidate Of the
party for the speakership, an honor FOR
which he was twice before SELECTED.
The precedent in the Roberts cas& ia
expected to be followed when Central
Wheeler returns from the Philippines
and presents himself at the bar Of the
House to take the oath of office. 4ep-
resentative Bailey Of Texas, who tur-
ing last session was the leader ofIthe
Democratic minority, intends to OBJECT
to General Wheeler on the constitution
al ground that by accepting q comhis-
sion In the army he vacated his sef IN
Congress.
In the congressional directory Stna-
tor Teller describes himself AZ .Eil-
yer Republican" Mr.. Shafroth Of len
yer says that he IL "silverite." Mr..
Pettigrew and Mr.. Heitfeld Of Idaho
describe themselves as "Populists." Mr..
Kyle Of South Dakota puts himself
down as an independent" while Mr..
Stewart, Mr.. Jones' and Mr.. NewlMds
Of Nevada say that they are ''of the
Silver party"
An appeal by Mr.. Mason Of Illinois |
for an expression Of sympathy for the |
Transvaal republic in In VT with
Great Britain was the featurstof the |
Senate proceedings MopdsyLlH was |
the first formal addEA delivered In |
the Senate this session, an9 was list |
ened to with thoughtful attention by
both the members and q l38e gallery
of auditors. The resolution upon
which Mr.. Mason based his Eeech was
dress, to the foreign relations commit
tee.
With solemn pomp and Circumstances,
with ceremonies beautiful, Impressive
and appropriate, in the presence Of a
distinguished assemblage, and in the
full splendor Of Ideal autumn weather,
the centennial of the death Of George
Washington was commemorated on the
18th at Mount Vetnon. The ceremon-
les were deliberately planned and sue
Fell, tod VnNyI
were conducted by the Masonic bodies
and by the Red Men Of the United
States. President Mckinley and Sem
ator Depew were the principal speak
ers.
The President has caused It to be
known through the usual channels,
among the politicians who are gather
Ing here to attend the meeting of the
Republican National committee, that
he prefers that no federal offlce-holders
shall be sent as delegates to the next
presidential convention. No order Will
be issued on this subject, nor will any
formal request be made, but the word
will be passed around among the COM
mitteemen and party managers, as
well as federal officeholders in differ.
ent states. The only penalty attached
to disObedience Is the Presidents dis
pleasure.
Misinterpretation by employees
throughout the country of the recent
ruling as to the status of married wo-
men as postoffice clerks led to a state
Inent Thursday by First Assistant
Postmaster General Heath. He reiter-
ntes that the presence Of husband and
wife rs clerks In the aame office Ia In
imical to the service and that her po-
sition should go to someone wh4 had
no means Of support. He says: RI In
tend to apply this ruling to female
clerks who In the future marry, Fee
male postoffice clerks already married
md whose employment under their
married names hns been approved by
the department, will not be disturbed
under this ruling"
The fact that four vacancies exist in
the Senate, owing to the failure of