Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-05-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.
iFrom our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, May /, 1899.

Longheaded men are not doing any premature
hurrahing because Aguinaldo asked Gen. Otis
to agree 10 a suspension of hostilities until he
could call the Philippine Congress together and
have il decided whether the war should be con
tinued. 1t may mean an end Of the war, and it
may be only a trick Of Aguinaldo's to gain
little needed time to put him in a better condi-
ton to continue the war but it is just as well to
vait and see whether Aguinaldo accepts the
terms of peace offered by Gen. Otis as an ulti-
INSTRUMENTATION surrender aud amnesty
for the Filipinos- before rejoicing. OF course.
everybody. the supporters az well as the oppon-
ents Of The administration policy in the Philip
pines wishes to see the fighting, of which the
country has become very tired, cease over there
1t is admitted that Againaldo is 10 fool, In fact
his proposition itself would prove that If Gen.
Otis had recognized the Philippine Congress, he
would have officially admitted the existence of
the Philippine government. and that admission
would have queered the administration policy
Perhaps that may have been all that Aguinaldo
was after A little patience and we all shall
know.
The hint has been passed around among the
Western members of the House that the Hanna
Mckinley candidate for Speaker, win be a
Western man. There is much curiosity to know
why that was done so early in the game. There
Is only one Eastern candidate, Sherman of New
York, who is thought to have any chance at all,
and he is understood to be Mr.. Reeds choice.
Perhaps that explains it. Hanna may have
thought it necessary to drop that hint to head
of any Democratic members who might be
inclined to place their votes for Sherman, or it
may have been put out as a bluff to try to make
Sherman pledge himself to stand by the Hanna
Mckinley program. If given their support
Henderson. of Iowa, and Hopkins, of illinois,
are the most actively pushed OF the Western
candidates, but many doubt whether either Of
them will get the HaDna-McKinley support. One
somewhat disguised Republican said The
trusts viii name the next Speaker. Quite
number Of gentlemen imagine that they are
making canvass for the place, but they viii
find that they are mistaken Sometime this
Summer the representatives Of the trusts viii
get together, in New York, or some other con
venient place, and settle the matter After the
meeting is called to order the chairman win ask
what IS the business before the meeting. The
naming of Speaker of the House Of Represen-
tatives, will be the response. Different names
viii be considered, and finally, after due delib-
Grafton the gentlemen win take vote. Some
one will be selected, and he may not be anyone
whose name has been previously mentioned for
the place. His election, however viii be as
sured. See if my prediction is not fulfilled. =
That isn't picture to be proud Of but such
things have been done before by the same crowd
Including the So. OOO, 600 paid to Spain, through
the French Ambassador, the Treasury deficit for
April was S24,0ss,4S7.
The report of the Military Court Of Inquiry
has been in the hands Of Acting Secretary Meikle-
john, of the War Department for two or three
days, awaiting Mr.. McKiniey's order to be made
public.
Commissioner of Pansions. Evans. Doesn't
seem to be greatly worried because the Kansas
G. A. R. asked for his removal and the appoint
ment of another Commissioner "who will exc
cute the laws in accordance with the true spirit
which prompted their enactment" Speaking of
the matter, Mr.. Evans said: Il did not make the
laws. They are the same which have been in
existence since 1896, and am governed by them
The Pension Bureau is an immense business.
We have nearly million pensioners on our
lists. and the Office Is managed with the greatest
Fossible generosity towards the old soldiers, but,
at the same time, we must consider the interests
of the taxpayer. Decisions have been made
affecting the entire country, and it may be that
they have applied more generally in Kansas
than in otf er States"
Mr.. Mckinley S friends are alarmed at reports
of defections among Western Republicans. which
haye reached Washington. That these reports
are not without foundation is shown by the
statement of Mr. W. c. Newman. q life long Re-
publican, who is the agent of the Cattlemen's
Protective Association, of Montana, and who has
been sent East to see if something cannot be
done 10 revive the once prosperous foreign cattle
trade He said: If the administration had
come out bodily and allowed an open and honest
Investigation of the meat scandals. it would
have created the impression abroad that this
country was sincere in its efforts to furnish the
best Of meat to the domestic and foreign con-
sumner AS it is. it will require years to over
come the prejudice the administrator unwise
action has caused. A great reyuIsion Of feeling
has taken place in the West within the past few
weeks. recently attended semi-politicll
meeting of ranchmen and farmers in Southern
Montana, and, unless something unforeseen takes
place. the administrations attitude will imperil
Mr. Mckinley 8 support by the Western States at
the next National Convention. The backbone
and sinue of the Republican party In the West
is thoroughly disguised with its present national
leaders,