The evening times., 1899-03-22
GENERAL WASHINGTON
NEWS AND GOSSIP.
Mile. In, Massachusetts.-The recep.

Miles I'M YMassachusetts.-The recep-
tien accorded Gen. Nelson A. Miles in
Massachusetts is quite significant and is
IN marked contrast to the treatment Sec
retary Alger received when he accompanied
President Mckinley to Boston few weeks
ago. Kisses for Alger cheers for Miles,
. probably reflect the public sentiment of
the country pretty accurately regarding the
embalmed beef controversy. Every effort
has been made by the Algerian clique in
: the War Department to destroy General
, Miles and discredit him in the estimation
OF the American people. Alger's main idea
apparently was to suppress any incipient
Presidential boom that might be started
for General Miles However, the result
has been quite different to what Mr.. Alger
anticipated. Mr.. Alger has, as matter
of fact, increased General Miles popularity
more than one hundred per cent, and the
very thing that Alger struggled the hard
est to prevent has happened. Miles is to-
! day being seriously considered as Presl-
| Dental possibility in some very influential
| circles. A good many Republican leaders
| are already turning away from Mckinley
on account of the numerous scandals that
| have disfigured his Administration They
| say that they are likely to increase in num-
| ber, and that by next year the chances are
| that even Mark Hanna will acknowledge
the folly of attempting to procure sec
ond term for Mr.. Mckinley. 1t will be ab-
| soIutely necessary, they think, for the Re-
publican party TO select a new candidate
| If it wishes to escape defeat. The attacks
on General Miles have increased his
| availability" as a candidate, as they have
| demonstrated conclusiyely that he has not
| been identified in any way with Algerism,
Eaganism, or any of the disgraeeful combi-
nations in the War Department.
The election next year, it is pointed out,
is almost certain to be close. The Repub-
lican leaders eoncede practically all of the
Southern States to the Democratic Presi-
Dental nominee, whosoever he may be.
They think that they may have lighting
chance in Delaware. Maryland. and West
Virginia, but they do not count on Ken
| lucky or any Of the other Southern States.
The battle ground will probably be in>the
West. The electoral votes of the so-caHed
mining camp States OF the West may de-
eide the next Presidency. In that section
General Miles has always been extremely
popular 1t would be a curious coinci-
dence, truly, if Alger, by his persecution OF
Miles, should be the means Of helping him
reach the White House. But stranger
things might happen in politics.
Claims at the State Departments
The Spanish war claims are piling up at
the State Department and the grand total
up to date is close TO SIS, ,9006O0. Officials
at the State Department would not be sur
prised to see the amount reach double that
sum before all the claims are filed. Most
Of the claims that have been presented
come from Cuba There are still the Phil
ippines and Porto Rico 10 hear from. The
President, it is understood, will appoint d
commission to take up and examine in o
these claims. The great majority OF them
will probably be scaled down from 80 to 70
per cent or dismissed altogether The
Government does not expect to be called
: upon to pay over 5,00e, GOO on account OF
individual claims for damages resulting
from our war with Spain. II will probably
be several years before any OF the claims
are paid.
Rhode Island Election.-Rhode ISL
and will elect a full State ticket next
month. II will be the first State to hold
an election since the close Of the Spanish
war and the ratification OF the Peace Trea-
ty. The election in Rhode Island will be
chiefly interesting as indicating the drift
of popular sentiment. The Republicans,
under the leadership Of Senator Aldrich,
are conducting vigorous campaign with
a view of getting out full vote. The
Democrats have no show CT winning, but
they are putting up a fairly stiff fight it
is said and hope to cut down the Repub-
lican vote. The result will be waited with
more or less interest by politicians gener-
ally.
Affairs at Jekyl IsIand.-The Presi-
dent and Mr. Reed are scheduled to leave
Jekyl Island today. Politicians here seem
: ba nod hot hair inc af aI-vl
Island was not altogether accidental. They
believe that it was prearranged but they
are not so certain that anything will come
Of il. When the two principals separate
and their respective followers begin to get
in their deadly work they Will probably