Gilpin observer., 1899-09-21

ber of persons to the square mile thir-
ty-five. The births in 1897 and 1898
were 6,4OO. This shows a decrease Of
one-seventh in the population in two
years. The pay of unskilled labor Is
40 cents in silver day. Cost of living:
Rice, & cents per pound; cornmeal,
cents per pound; beans, cents per
pound; dried meat, % cents per pound.
General Wilson states that he made IL
tour of inspection of his province be-
tween April 29th and May 9th, 1899.
He found the towns defended by
trenches. Instructions and block
houses, as in the province of Matan-
zas. The country outside of the towns
was devastated and not one farmhouse
or hut, so far as his observation went,
had escaped destruction.
All signs indicate that the President
is determined to stake his political
fate upon the success of General Otis
during the coming dry season in the
Philippines. He hears daily from the
prominent men all over the country
of the unpopularity of General Otis,
and criticisms of his ability as a SOL
dier, but fails to act upon the advice
He has been Informed that the failure
of General Otis to end the instruction
during the next few months means the
ty at the polls. and has been advised
that it would entail almost certain de-
feat of his candidacy before the next
nominating convention. Fully appre-
ciating this sentiment. he is permitting
the time to pass without superseding
General Otis. 1t is reported at the War
Department, however, that General
Otis command will be only nominal.
He has outlined a campaign with the
advice and approval of the War De-
partment officials and the President,
but Generals Lawton and Macarthur
will be intrusted with carrying it into
execution with little interference from
General Otis. They will be told what
is expected of them and be permitted
to execute their orders in their own
way. being held responsible only for
the results obtained.
The comptroller of the currency has
received applications for increase of
circulation from four of New York's
banks amounting TO about S1,5OO.OOO
This action on the part of the city
banks is not at all unusual at this sea-
son of the year. and so far as known at
the treasury department there is no
concerted movement on the part of
the banks to increase their circulation
by any very large amount, as has been
rumored. Fractional silver coins are
in almost as great demand at the treas
ury as are small bills. The revival of
business all over the country has abb
sorbed the supply of dimes, quarters
and half dollars so rapidly that the
treasury will soon be entirely out Of
coins of these denominations. Secre-
tary Gage last year recommended to
congress legislation authorizing the
coinage of additional fractional silver,
but no action was taken. Both he and
Mr.. Roberts. the director of the mint,
Will make urgent recommendations
this year that authority be given to in
crease the supply. AS there is no lin
itation in law on the amount of these
coins that can be issued. they are be-
ing supplied. AT the Philadelphia mint
seven coinage presses, one-half of the
capacity of the mint, are working on
nickels.
The friends of General Otis are be-
coming hopeful that they will succeed
in having him retained in his present
command. Last week they were
deeply discouraged and one, high
official of the war department, openly
admitted that he believed popular
clamor' would result in his friends re-
cal! and the assignment of General
Miles or General Merritt to Manila.
The prediction is now being confident
ly made by General Otis admirers
that he will be permitted to demon
s!rate what he can do with a larger
army before being censured for his
failure to make more progress during
the last campaign. The President has
repeatedly expressed his confidence in
General Otis. and Secretary Root has
commended his reports for clearness
and conciseness. But the latter official
has been inclined to the suggestion
that an officer of high rank the major
general commanding the army being
preferable. should be placed at the
head of the fighting forces. Secretary
Root has viewed the situation from an
unprejudiced standpoint. and his rec
concentrations We're placed upon Cen
eral Otis ability as n soldier. He has
taken the broad ground that where the
army Is there also should be the
ranking officers. He is opposed to the
proposition to permit the ma jor general
commanding to remain mt his desk
performing routine work. another ma
ior general acting as military governor
OF Cuba. and the third as commander
of the department of the east. while
the army is In the Philippines under
the command of brigadier general,
which is General Otis" rank in the
regular army.