The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-03-09
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D, c., March 6, 1s9,

OHly Ole DIduCII vi Iue nlUN III II COH
gress, the republicans have every rea.
son to be proud of the record left by
that Congress, which has been in
several respects one of the most re-
markable in our history, and 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 and unwise. 1t was wise enough,
for instance, to leave the President a
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
placed upon him, as well as the great
compliment 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 mis-
takes in matters of Importance and it
requires no gift of prophecy to say
that his official acts will Justify the
confidence reposed in him by Congress
and by the people.
The appropriations made by the
Congress 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
building, many of which were badly
needed; these have been provided for
as well as important river and harbor
improvements. The republican party
has always believed in liberality in
these two classes of expenditures,
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 United States troops are to be
kept in Cuba until such time as it
may be considered advisable by this
government to turn the island over
to the Cubans, shall be largely re
cruited from the ranks of the Cuban
army The new Army bill gives the
President discretion in the matter of
recruiting from the natives of any of
the islands occupied by us, and, un-
less something occures to make such
a step inadvisable, it is extremity like
ly that many Cubans will soon be
wearing Uncle Sans uniforms. To
enlist a few thousand Cubans in our
army would be killing 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 trouble
some if unemployed.
Representative Bailey, after being
by their refusal to follow his
lead in support of a motion to take
up the resolution declaring the seats
of Gen. Wheeler and the other three
of the House, who went in
to the army, forfeited, reported from
the House Judiciary Committee,
which was overwhelming voted down,
had the nerve to get up and announce
that he would no longer be the
leader in the House, be-
cause those of them who did not vote
with him did not love the Constitu
tion as much as he did, or words to
that effect.
Although the question has already
been decided in the negative by Presi-
dent Mckinley and his advisers, max
ing legislation upon it unnecessary, the
Foraker amendment to the Army. bill,
declaring that no property franchises
in Cuba shall be granted by this gov
eminent during it's military occu-
pancy, 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 final
ly agreed upon, authorizes the
President to appoint a Commission
of Engineers to investigate the Mic
aragua and Panama Canal routes,
and report to him in time for him to
report to the next Congress, and ap-
propriates $1,0O0,000 to pay expenses.
The House succeeded in COMPEL
ing the Senate to agree to the num-
Der of new warships authorized by
the original House Naval bill, but the
limitation of the cost of armor to
$500 a ton, in the bill as finally agreed
to, makes it impossible to make any
contract for constructing the battle
ships provided for, without further