The Republican., 1899-04-27
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsHINGToY. April 24tb. Is

y
that prominent European editors
were seriously discussing the proba-
bility of our abandonment of the
Philippines. These men do not know
the American character even little
bit. President Mckinley and his cab
met have no more idea OF abandoning
the Philippines than they have of
abandoning Hawaii or Porto Rico.
And, what is more to the point, they
are perfectly well satisfied with the
progress that has been made by Gen.
Otis towards getting possession of the
Philippines. They know that the
origin of the numerous stories about
the insurmountable difficulties before
us in the Philippines, which are be-
ing published in this country and Eu-
rope, as well as the kilograms sent to
the Philippines to create dissatisfac-
tion among the volunteers, can be
traced to politics-very dirty politics,
too; that they are being spread by
democrats and other anti-expansion-
lists, with the hope that a sentiment
can be created among the voters that
will be injurious to the administra-
tion in next years campaign. No
political party can make votes by be-
littling the American flag and power;
hence the stories cause no uneasinessi
to the Administration. ~
The Military Court of Inquiry has
completed the taking of testimony
and expects to make it's report this
week. There is nothing in sight to
indicate that the report will contain
anything sensational. There has al
ready been too much sensational stuff
printed about the whole business.
Senator Quay is at his Washington
home, but his vindication by a jury
and his appointment to be Senator by
Gov. Stone has not changed his habi-
tual reticence concerning himself
Since his arrival in Washington, the
day of his acquittal. he has been
steadily receiving congratulations by
wire, mail and by personal calls from
his friends. He expressed his gratifi-
cation to all callers. but pleasantly
declined to say anything for publica-
tion concerning his appointment by
Gov. Stone or his own intentions. The
Senate has decided the question raised
by the appointment of Mr.. Quay to
the Senate both ways, and a majority
of the Senate of each Congress can
decide it either way and there is no
appeal, but all the recent decisions
have been against the right of gov
ernor to fill a vacancy in the Senate
that occurs through the failure of the
Legislature to elect senator while in
session. If Mr.. Quay's credentials
from the governor are decided to be
good, the governors of California,
Delaware and Utah will appoint Sen
ators to fill the vacancies, from the
same cause, from those States.
In accordance with the general in
structions of this administration to
United States Consul, to report every
thing that may be of value to our
people, our Consuls at Coburb, Ger
many, writes the following descrip-
tion of the preparation of potato bread
with which many Germans feed their
horses when subjected to unusally
hard and continuous work, claiming
that it adds to their strength and EN-
durance: The potatoes are sfHWeG
till soft, then mashed thoroughly ;ssisf
an equal quantity of cornmeal added
mixing the whole into a thick paste,
adding a little salt. The paste is
divided into four pound loaves and
baked till thoroughly done. When
cold they are fed to horses doing
heavy work, at the rate of four loaves
a day, one in the morning, one at
noon, one about four o'clock and.one
at night, giving with the last one
about ten pounds of poor hay"
1t is an interesting coincidence,
made prominent by the announce
ment that Speaker Reed would retire
from Congress to practice law in New
York city, that seven of the thirty
two Speakers the House has had
Reed, Carlisle, Randall, Blaine, Col
fax, Stevenson and Macon served
three terms each in that exalted posi-
ton. 1t is noted also in this connec-
Polk, ever became President. So far
as the states are concerned, the
Speakership, honors haye been very
unequally divided. Only fourteen
states have had Speakers and three,
Kentucky, Virginia, and Massachu-
setts, have each furnished four, while
Pennsylvania and Indiana have
each had three. The only Speaker
who served longer than three was
Henry Clay, who had fraction more
than five terms to his credit Only
four Speakers have been from the
West and three of them were from
the single state Indiana. The talk
about the probably successor to Mr..
Reed is as yet largely speculative.
No party ever had a larger array of
capable men available for the honor
than the republicans of the next
House will have, and while there may
be good natured rivalry between in
dividuals as well as sections, every re-
publican will have the satisfaction
of knowing that good Speaker is
bound to be chosen. While it is un-
derstood that Representative, Gros-
venor, of Ohio, Hopkins, and prob-
ably Cannon, of Illinois; Henderson,
of Iowa; Dalzell, of Pennsylvania;
Mercer, of Nebraska; Moody, of Mas
sachusetts; and Sherman and Payne,
of New York, will be candidates.
The only avowed candidate who has
been to Washington since the an
nouncement of Mr.. Reeds retirement,
is Mr.. Payne, of New York, who sue
ceeded the late Representative Ding
ley as chairman of the Ways and
Means Committee and floor leader of
the Republicans.