Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-09-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, September 26, IS

Since Reeds retirement there has
been much talk about members OF the
house being allowed more liberty at the
coming session of congress, but an an
nouncement of Speaker-to-be Hender-
sons programme for the Republican
financial bill does not indicate an in
crease of liberty for members; only
transfer Of silent obedience from Gar
Reed to King Caucus. 1t is said to be
Mr. Henderson's intention to bring the
financial bill before Republican
caucus, as soon as congress meets and
to get it endorsed and ordered passed.
Then the bill will be railroaded through
the house before the committees are
announced. The excuse given for this
action, which will be decidedly unusual,
in dealing with one OF the most import
ant subjects that congress is ever called
upon to handle-the country's money
is that If the bill was allowed to take
the usual course, it might never get out
OF the committee on banking and cur
rency, to which it should properly be
referred after being introduced in the
house, or might be changed by that
committee. If this programme is really
to be carried out, the house caucus
should first vote to abolish the banking
and currency committee.
t
A distinction without difference is
that made by Republicans who say that
Mr.. Mckinley will not make some
speeches in Ohio, but will probably
make speeches from the rear platform
of the train upon which he will pass
through Ohio on his coming trip to and
from the West 1t really looks as
though that trip had been arranged
solely for the purpose of giving Mr..
Mckinley an opportunity to make some
speeches in Ohio, which he has been
assured by his party managers are
very much needed. He and his party
managers may call them ''rear-platform"
or any other kind OF speeches they
please, but the people will know them
for the stump speeches they will be,
and they will not be inclined to think
any more of the president who is willing
to engage in such business
Boss Platt has been in Washington,
and it is believed that he tried to make
deal for the vice presidential nomina
tion for New Yorker, it being now
pretty generally understood that Mr..
Hobart is to voluntarily retire, and
that Governor TEDDY" doesn't want
the nomination. 1t is said that Platt
told Mr.. Mckinley that any man from
his state would please him, but suggest
cd Senator Depew and Secretary Root.
Representative Berry, of Kentucky,
has been somewhat annoyed by being
misrepresented as to his attitude to-
wards Colonel Bryan. While in Wash
ington, day or two ago, Colonel Berry
took occasion to say, with an emphasis
which left no doubt of his meaning
every word my opinion is that Bryan
will be the nominee of the Democracy.
and l have further opinion that he
will get votes enough to elect him presi-
dent of the United States"
t
The kicking of Senator Wellington
out of the craftsmanship of the Mary
land Republican state committee has,
in the opinion Of those who know the
situation thoroughly, made the carrying
of the state by the Democrats certain
ty. A Maryland Republican is quoted
as having said: Il would not be sur
prised if Smith should be elected COVER
nor by 10000 plurality. The Yelling
ton incident, the Independent revolt
and the Schley affair have given the
Democrats an advantage that cannot
now be overcome" The turning down
OF Wellington makes it certain that he
will join Senators Hoar and Mason in
attacking the Philippine policy of Mr..
Mckinley, in the senate. Take it all in
all, Mr.. Mckinley has no reason to look
forward to the coming session of con-
gress with pleasant anticipations.
/ t
Late advices do not bear out the
statement so often made in official
documents, that Filipino private SOL
diers only participate in the war be-
cause they are afraid of their officers.
General Otis believed in that theory
once, but since he offered $40 cash and
personal immunity to every Filipino
soldier who surrendered a gun, he has
changed his mind. Only one Filipino
offered to take advantage of that offer,
and before the money was paid to him,
II was found out that he was acting in
partnership with one of our own soldiers,
who had captured the gun surrendered,
and was trying to secure some pocket
money through the credulity of Otis.