The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-05
GOSSIP FROM
WASHINGTON
BY NED BRACE.

l was in Washington several days last
week. 1t is not yet sure thing that the
peace treaty will become law at this ses-
sion of congress. To ratify it requires
two-thirds vote of the senate, and Senator
Davis has not yet been able to muster up
that much strength. A. few republicans
and many democrats are standing out
against the treaty because they advocate
one slight change.
The treaty provides that Spain relin-
qushes sovereignty over Cuba" and that
Spain cedes to the United States the Phil
ippine islands" The democrats demand that
the latte clause be amended to read,
Spain relinqushes sovereignty over the
Philippine islands,"
The democras argue that such an amend
ment will make no difference in the result.
The treaty must be ratified by the Spanish
cortes after the United States ha sratitied
it before it becomes effective, and the DEM
ocrats hold that Spain will willingly accept
this slight amendment. They desire to
amend it i'll this way becaue of the fact
that If the present treaty were ratified the
Philippine islands would Immediately become
the property of the United States and its
citizens subjects of the United States gov
eminent and entitled to the privileges of
American citizens.
In discussing the matter, Senator Jones, OF
Arkansas, said that while this congress
might pass the Bacon resolution, that that
would not be binding on the next congress
the next congress might repeal it and
eventually make the Philippine islands part
and parcel of the United States. Senator
Jones holds that the Philippine islands
should be treated just as we propose to deal
with Cuba, and that it should be made man.
datory to deal with them in a similar man.
ner; that is, by aiding them and permit
ting their own people to establish an indie
pendent form of government under the
temporary protectorate OF the United
States.
1t is said that the republicans would
willingly amend and ratify the treaty but
for the fact that such action would elimi
nate the necessity of the passage of the
Hull bill, providing for standing army of
100000 men. 1t is the republican policy to
build up a tremendous standing army in
this country that it may be used at home,
when they need it. Such an army could be
used to intmidate voters and to keep the
republican party perpetually in power.
Senator Hoar and one or two other re-
publican senator's, ranking among the
leaders of their party, have several times
recently expressed the opinion that if the
Hull bill passes, the democrats are certain
to elect the next president and the next
congress. They hold that the people of
this country will never submit to such an
immense army, as a permanent thing, at a
Of hon dol
lars a year. They say that if we hold the
Philippines and have this proposed great
army that the annual expenses of this gov
eminent will be almost doubled, and that
the people will rise up in their might and
overthrow the party which burdened them
with such an immense expense account.
Senator Jones, of Arkansas, and other
democratic senators, who are leaders in the
councils of the party express the opinion
that the democrats will elect the president
and congress at the next general election.
The Judiciary committee of the house has
reported in favor of unseating General
Wheeler. Under the constitution and the
law it could not be otherwise. As long as
war was in actual progress, it was per-
missible to overlook the fact that a MEM
Der of congress was fighting in the field as
an army officer, but after peace has been
declared, it is necessary for congress to
enforce the constitution.
l heard from several of General Wheel
er's friends in Washington that he would
probably never enter congress again. In
deed, it is said that the president is very
anxious to honor General Wheeler by con-
tnuing him as a major-general in the
regular army, and the programme is that
when the new army bill passes, he will be
appointed second lieutenant and immed-
lately promoted to major-general. This
course is necessary under the law.
1t is known that General Wheeler is
more fond of a military life than a con-
gressional life. The salary is more than
double that of congressman, and as Cen
eral Wheeler's tastes run in that line, 1t is
natural that he should desire it,
The congressional aspirants in the Sew
enth district might just as we'll commence
making hay. as it is certainly within the
range of possibility that General Wheeler
will resign from congress