Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-05-13
TAKING A REST.
srPresident rlcKinley at the Hot Springs
End Near in the Philippines
Extra Session of Congress
5kelv
gFrom our Regular spondent)

Likely.
sFrom our Regular Correspondent
Washington. MAY s. President Nc
Kinley has gone 10 the Virginia hot
Springs. where he and Mrs. Mckinley
will remain for about two weeks. He IS
not sick. and. although the rest is taken
by order Of his physician, it is more ~
the nature Of an exemplification OF the
adage, ian ounce OF prevention IS worth
a pound OF cure than because If IS an
absolute necessity at this time. lie is
run down and has recently been a suffer
er from rheumatism, and it seems an I'M
possibility for a President to get any rest
in Washington. In case there should be
any urgent necessity for his presence, he
can reach Washington in eight hours
Before leaving, President Mckinley ap.
proved the report made by the Military
Court of Inquiry, which will at once be
made public. There is no truth in the
rnmor that Gen. Miles is either to be re,
moved from the command OF the Army
or court martialed as a result OF the re.
port.
Judging from the latest Philippine adj
vices, the end is near. and no surprise
would be felt in official circles should
Aguinaldo's formal surrender occur any
day. The rebels have acknowledged
themselves fought to a standstlll, and
were il not for the efforts Of Aguinaldc
and the other Filipino leaders to secure
promises that they would be given posi-
lions under the local government, similar
to those which have been given to Cuban
officers in Cuba, the surrender would
have taken place before now. They will
get no promises other than the general
one made by the Philippine Commission,
that pending the final disposition Of the
matter by Congress, the islands would be
given home rule to as great an extent as
might be found consistent with American
interests. The semi-official announce
ment that Admiral Dewey contemplates
an early return to the United States is
taken to mean that he sees his services
will not be needed over there much longer.
Representative Gardner, OF New Ier-
sey, who always has opinions OF his own,
said II am not inclined TO think, with
many, that Mr.. Bryan is the weakest can
didate the Democrats could put up. On
the contrary, it is my belief that he is in
finitely stronger than any Eastern man
the Democrats might name. Whitney
or German couldn't begin to poll the
votes the Nebraskan would command. |
am also positive that Bryan was defeated
in 90, not because Of his advocacy Of sill
yer, but because the working classes were
aroused to the necessity Of once more
getting back to protective tariff. If
silver had been the only issue the Demo-
Gratis might have triumphed, but they
lost because the wage-earners repudiated
free trade, which, as illustrated by the
Wilson BILL had come pretty near running
the country"
Secretary Wilson obtained so much
useful agricultural information during
his recent trip to South Carolina, that he
has arranged to leave Washington this
week upon a similar trip, which will in
clude visits TO Louisiana. Mississippi
Texas, and possibly several adjacent
states.
President Mckinley hasn't told any,
BODY that there would be an extra session
of Congress simply because he has not
fully decided to call one. He has talked
the matter over with prominent Republl-
cans and has intimated his belief that
circumstances will probably make it wise
to call Congress together in advance OF
the regular session in December, and has
advised Senators and Representatives to
make their plans accordingly. That is as
far as the matter has gone. There may
or may not be an extra session, but the
probabilities favor one. There is lots OF
work ahead of Congress. and if there is nc
extra session, the House cannot hope tc
get down to business before the Ist OF
January, because the new Speaker could
not get the committees arranged before
that date An extra session would en-
able all that to be done beforehand and
would undoubtedly greatly expedite leg
islation of all kinds Many thirk, also
that it would be good politics to call an
extra session, not only because it would
shorten the Speakership contest, but be-
cause it Would give more time to act upon
the financial bill, which has been prepared
by the House Caucus Committee, and al
low it TO get before the country and be
fully discussed and understood before the
excitement Of the Presidential campaign
begins. The need of legislation for our
new possessions. especially Hawaii and
Porto Rico, is also an argument Tor an
extra session.
Secretary Alger has returned to Wash
ington and resumed his duties, In reply
TO questions, he said that he had nothing
to add to what he said in Michigan about
his being a candidate to succeed Senator
Mcmillan.
AS a rule, Republican representative:
resent the attempt, which they say is be
ing made by outsiders, to make tn,
Speakership contest a sectional fight o
the West against the East. and Presen
indications are that the attempt will fail
and that it will be solely contest of mel
in which secuonalism will not be an i'm
portant factor.