The silver star., 1899-12-22
FROM WASHINGTON.
GOSSIP OF THE WHITE HOUSE
AND THE DEPARTMENTS.

allowing the Democrats to submit a
| substitute for the finance bill SO that
they could be placed squarely on rec
| ord.
The Senate, by decisive vote and
practically without discussion. laid on
the table the Pettigrew resolution OF
inquiry as to whether or not the United
States forces recognized the Filipino
insurgent flag and had turned over
Spanish soldiers to the insurgents.
Four members of the House were
born in England, four in Ireland, four
in Germany, two in Scotland, two In
Canada, one in Nova Scotia and one
in Turkey. More members of the
House of Representatives were born In
New York than in any other state,
forty-four altogether.
Commander Il. =. Wood, U. s. N,
died of typhoid fever at his residence
here Monday. He was In command OF
the gunboat Petrol at the battle OF
Manila bay. Since his return to the
United States his health has been bro
ken and he has lacked the power to
throw Off the disease which caused his
death.
1t Is stated that the Danish govern
ment has made another effort to sell
the Danish West Indies to the United
States. The proposition was laid be-
fore the State Department by repre-
sentative of the Danish government,
anu the matter is now under considera-
ton. The American embassy in Lon
don is assisting in the negotiations.
The price asked for the islands is $3,-
100000.
The Populist party of the present
Congress has smaller representation
than at any time in ten years, but 1t
makes up in ability and energy what it
lacks in numbers. Judge John c. Bell
of Colorado, now beginning his fourth
term in the House. is 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 case is
expected to be followed when General
Wheeler returns from the Philippines
and presents himself at the bar of the
House to take the oath OF office. Rep
resentative Bailey of Texas. who dur
ing last session was the leader of the
Democratic minority, intends to object
TO General Wheeler on the constitution
al ground that by accepting a commits
sion in the army he vacated his seat In
Congress.
In the congressional directory Sena-
tor Teller describes himself as '.Sil-
yer Republican" Mr. Shafroth of Den
ver says that he Is a ''Sllverite." Mr..
Pettigrew and Mr.. Heitfeld of Idaho
describe themselves rs "Populists.' Mr..
Kyle of South Dakota puts himself
down as an Independent" while Mr..
Stewart, Mr.. Jones and Mr.. Newlands
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 Its war with
Great Britain was the feature of the
Senate proceedings Monday. Ii was
the first formal address delivered in
the Senate this session, and was list
ened TO with thoughtful attention by
both the members and large gallery
of auditors. The resolution upon
which Mr.. Mason based his speech was
referred, at the conclusion of the ad-
dress, TO the foreign relations commit
tee.
With solemn pomp and circumstance
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
14th at Mount Vernon. The ceremon-
les We're elaborately planned and sue
/ cessfully carried to fruition They
were conducted by the Masonic bodies
and by the Red Men OF the United
States. President Mckinley and Sem
ator Depew We're the principal speak
crs.
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 cc-holders
shall be sent ms delegates to the next
presidential convention. No order will
he issued on this subject. nor will any
| formal request he made but the word
Will he passed around among the com
mittecmen and party managers. as
well as federal ofilceholdcrs In differ
ent states. The only penalty attached
to dlsobcdicncc ls the Presidents dis.
pleasure.
MislntcrprciatlOn by employees
throughout the country OF the recent
ruling as to the status OF married wo.
men as postofiicc clerks led to n stnte.
inent Thursday by First Assistan,
Postmaster General Heath. He reiter.
ntes that the presencs OF husband and
wife as clerks In the same office Is In.
imicnl to the service and that her 20.
sltion should 90 to someone who had
no means Of support. He says: II In.
tend to apply this ruling to femnIe
clerks who In the future marry. Fe
male postofiicc clerks already married
ana whose employment under Their
innrrled nnmes has been approved lbs
the department. will not bc disturbed
under this ruling"
The fact that -four vacancies ex at IN
the senntc. owing to the failure OF
state Legislatures to elect scnntors
nns resulted In n crystnilzniion OF pub
lie sentiment favorable TO the election
OF senators by direct vote Of the peo
pie. This agitation will be conspIcu
GUS In the natIon's legislative halls
Ten Joint resolutions bearing upon thI,
subject have been introduced In IN,
House OF Congress. A strong effort |,
to be mnde during this session to pms,