The evening times., 1899-02-02
GENERAL WASHINGTON
NEWS AND GOSSIP.
The Presidents He.I,I.-Mr McK;n-

ihe ffsSidcnt's HcaIth.-Mr. McKin-
ley's health is giving his friends some
concern. The report that he was seriously
indisposed was not accurate, but at the
same time 1t is admitted that the Presi-
dent is considerably run down. His color
is bad and his face has careworn look.
The strain he has been under during the
past year has told on him. Mr. Mckinley
has not had a genuine rest and breathing
spell for over year. Unless he gets away
| from Washington soon and obtains little
rest and relaxation his friends fear that
he may break down completely. This is
one OF the chief reasons why the members
| of the Administration circle have been
anxious to avoid all extra session OF Con-
gress this spring.
They believe now that the danger OF
an extra session has almost been eliminat-
ed that after the ratification OF the Peace
| Treaty on Monday the atmosphere will be
very much clearer. Both houses will, 1t
is believed buckle down to business and
push the urgent and important matters
rapidly. Speaker Reed is known to be
strongly opposed to an extra session, and,
for that matter, the great majority OF the
Senators and Representatives on both
sides are also averse TO meeting again in
! the spring. Congress has been in session
almost continuously since the beginning of
! the Mckinley Administration, and the uni
yersaI expression heard in the Capitol is:
| For heavens sake, let us get away and
/ take a rest" However, the fate of the
army reorganization bill in the Senate Will
| probably determine the question OF an
! extra session. If the bill fails 10 pass it
| is believed that the President will call an
extra session, but probably not before the
| 1st Of May. 1t is said that the President
| is contemplating a journey to New Orleans
/ and perhaps as far West at the Pacific
| Coast some time in March He has, II IS
! understood, the matter under serious con-
| sderation.
| Changes in senate Ofiicials.-The
officials of the Senate have keen personal
| interest in the extra session matter. The
Republicans will have a straight majority
| in the new Senate even if the Legislatures
! CT Delaware Pennsylvania, and Caliior-
MIA should adjourn without electing sue
| cessors to Gray, Quay, and White, and
| they will not waste any time In grabbing
| hold of all the patronage IN sight just as
soon as the Senate meets. Unless there IS
an extra session the present officials OF
| the Senate, from Sergeant Arms Bright
| down will continue to draw salaries until
| the beginning of the regular session next
| December. But, of course, if An extra ses-
| sion should be called the reorganization
| of the Senate officials will take place al
| most Immediately. In anticipation OF an
| extra session a scramble for the Senate
| plums is already under way. James 5.
| Clarkson, of Iowa, is said TO be out for
! Colonel Bright's place of sergeant at
arms. He is backed by Senator Allison.
| Mr.. Clarkson is a native OF Iowa, but he
! has made his headquarters in New York
| and Philadelphia for good many years.
| For Il long time Clarkson was one Of the
main props of the Allison Presidential
boom In 1896 he supported Thomas B.
| Reed.
Conquest of Trade Zop->.-"H is
mas recently, that the protective tariff
! system has had its day. Expansion and
| protection do not go hand in hand. The
problem of the future will be the conquest
! of trade zones. The leading nations of the
world have been engaged in that business
/ for some time, and now We are going 70
| take a hand in it ourselves. Our coming
| into our new possessions in the East and
| the West seems almost proydential. II
| places us at once on nearly even terms
| with the great commercial nations. Eng
! land. France and Germany. Whether We
| will hold our new position or not will de-
! pend upon ourselves. There are great
! problems of craftsmanship confronting this
! country and no man can say offhand just
| how they should be handled and settled
! One thing, however, must be very plain
/ to anybody who stops to think, and that IS
| that we cannot go back to the conditions
! that existed before the war with Spain Ii
| Will take time. patience. and hard study
! to adjust ourselves TO the new state oi
affairs, but the American people can be
! safely trusted. | think to accomplish the
! task satisfactorily Commercial rivalry Is
! so strong today that the nation that is moi
! prepared to fight aggressively 10 hold her
position and get her share of the trade OF
! the world will be showed aside and lost in
| the shuttle so to speak. No party can
maintain itself by attempting 10 block the
wheels of progress.