Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1899-02-16

the Army bill as merely an attempt
by politicians to place the responsibility
for an extra session on the other side.
Everybody admits that it will be the
action or non action of the Senate that
will determine whether an extra session
will be held. How doubtful that body
is may be judged from the following
words, said to have been used by Speak.
er Reed, in recent conversation: Wood
only knows what the Senate will do.
and he won't tell" .. ..
What the Navy Department said fret
about Schley and Sampson. it says last.
1t has sent copy Of the official records
of Schley and Sampson to the Senate,
and those records make bud showing
for schley and good one for Sampson,
but whether Schley's friends will accept
them, is yet to be ascertained.
According to the lates. from Gen
Otis, there is no longer an organized
srnly of Fiiipinos on the leland Of Lu-
ron. That army was doomed from the
hour that Aguinaldo was foolish enough
to order it to attack our troops at Ma
Mia. In one short week it has been
whipped as fast as our troops could get
at them, and is now no more. Gen.
Otis has been allowed to conduct the
whole bushes to suit himself, and no.
body need be surprised at any time to
get news that he has captured Aguinal-
do. although it might b. best for all
concerned if Aguinaldo should escape
and go to Europe to enjoy some of the
money he has stolen in the Philippines.
The proposal to add the Hepburn
Nicaragua Canal bill to the River and
Hsrbor bill. as an amendment, had to
be abandoned because of objection on
the part Of those who are interested in
getting that bill through, and Mr. Hep.
burn has given notice that be would
offer the bill as an amendment to the
Sundry Civil Appropriation bill, which
is now being considered BY the House
While large majority Of the House
would gladly vote for a Nicaragua
Canal bill, notwithstanding the warn
ing of Chairman Cannon. Of the danger
of increasing Appropriations, it is not
at all certain that they will vote for il
as rider to an appropriation bill
Many members regard such a method
Of legislation us dangerous precedent
to set up. Speaker Reed and some OF
the best Parliamentarians in Congress
are strongly opposed to the idea. Con-
sequently its adoption Is doubtful.
While President McKinley's special
message to Congress, pointing out the
pressing need for cable controlled by
the United States to Hawaii and the
Philippines. does not 10 so many words
say that it would be best for the gov
eminent to lay and maintain a cable
itself and have no dealings with private
corporations, it is generally given that
Interpretation IN Congressional circles.
The Military Court Of Inquiry or
dered to investigate the embalmed beef
charges made by Gen. Miles, will meet
in Washington Wednesday of this week.
Friends of tie President are glad that
be has taken this open and above board
method, Of giving Gen. Miles chance
to show whe.h her his proofs are good or
not, regardless of the declaration 10 the
report of the War Investigating Com
mission that the beef issued to the army
WAS good. As this court will be strict
ly a military affair, it will have no au-
thority to compel civilians to testify.
but there should be military testimony
enough obtainsble to settle this matter
for good and all. Either bad beef was
issued or it was not.