Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1899-03-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Washington, March 9th, 1899.
Considering that they controlled
only one branch of the fifty fifth
congress, the republicans have every
reason to be proud of the record left
by that congress, which has been in
several respects one of the most re-
m a rk able in our history, land which has
played an important part in the
worlds history. 1t did not meet all
the expectations of the country-no
congress ever did, and probably none
ever will-but it did much that was
good and left undone many things it
was urged to do that would have been
bad a nd unwise. 1t was wise enough,
for instance, to leave the president
free hand to deal with the Philippines
while we are finding out what will be
the best thing to do for them. Presi-
dent Mckinley fully appreciates the
extent of the responsibility thus plac-
ed upon him, as well as the great COM
pliment implied by this confidence in
him, and will, in accordance with his
usual custom, move cautiously in all
that he does. His administration has
been remarkably free from mistakes
in matters of Importance and it re-
quires no gift of prophecy to say that
his official acts will Justify the conf
dence reposed in him by congress and
by the people.
The appropriations made by con-
gress just closed were large in the
aggregate, but if any man can point
out any particular appropriation that
was not needed, he has not yet done
SO. A large proportion of the total
was for the war, and to meet expenses
consequent thereon. For several
years the condition of the treasury,
owing to four years of democratic
hard times, made it necessary to
skimp the appropriations for public
buildings, many of which were badly
needed; these have been provided
for as we'll as important river and
harbor improvements. The republi-
can party has always believed in
liberality in these two classes of ex-
penditures, when the condition of |
the treasury would Justify it.
President Mckinley is inclined to |
favor the adoption of the suggestion
made a few days ago, by Gen. Gomez,
that U. S. troops to be kept in Cuba, |
until such time as it may be consider |
ed advisable by this government to
turn the island over to the Cubans,
shall be largely recruited from the (
ranks of the .Cuban army. The new
army bill gives the president discre-
ton in the matter of recruiting from
the natives of any of the islands oc-
cupied by us, and unless something
occurs to make such a step inadvis- I
able, it is extremely likely that many
Cubans will soon be wearing Uncle
Sans uniform. To enlist few thou
sand Cubans in our army will be kill
ing two birds with one stone; it will
reduce the number of Americans
who will have to be kept on the island |
during the sickly season, and it will
give employment to many who might
become troublesome if unemployed.
deposed by their refusal to follow his
lead in support of motion to take
up the resolution declaring the seats
of Gen. Wheeler and the other three
members of the house, who went
into the army, forfeited, reported
from the house judiciary committee,
which was overwhelmingly voted
down, had the nerve to get up and
announce, that he would no longer be
the democratic leader in the house,
because those of them who did not
vote with him did not love the con-
stitution as much as he did, or words
to that effect.
Although the question had already
been decided in the negative by Pres
ident Mckinley and his advisers,
legislation upon it unneces-
sary, the Foraker amendment to the
army bill, declaring that no property
in Cuba shall be granted
by this government during its military
occupancy, is warmly welcomed by
the officials, because it will put stop
to applications for such franchises.
The Nicaragua canal amendment to
the river and harbor bill, as finally
agreed upon, authorizes the president
to appoint commission of engineers
to investigate the Nicaragua and
Panama canal routes, and report to
him in time for him to report to the