The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-10
yellow Journals Lied About Pres
ident MoKinley's Physi-
n
cal Condition.
TO MITIGATE SENTENCE
In Eagan Court Martial-River and
Harbor Bill Bill-Vote on
Hull Bill.
Special Correspondence Of The Gazette.

Special Correspondence of The Gazette.
Washington, Fbe. 6.-Having about
lied out concerning his policies, the
yellow journals have commenced to lie
about President McKinley's physical
condition. One of them last week
printed . lot Of stuff about his being on
the verge Of prostration. President
Mckinley needs a rest, as would any
aAan not made of iron who had beer
under the tremendous strain and respon-
sibility he has been under for a year
past. but his general health has never
been better than it is now
The house last week passed the river
and harbor bill, which carries approp-
riations, new and continuing, for a
little more than $50, 900. 900.
The finding of the Eagan court
martial, together with a legal review
Of the case by the judge advocate gem
eral, has just been handed to the presi-
dent. That he will mitigate the sent
ence Of dismissal from the army i'm
posed by the court-martial is regarded
as certain, but to what extent or how
soon he will act it is impossible to do
more than guess at this time.
The speeches in the senate, both in
open and executive session, last week
consisted largely of restatements of
what had already been said about the
Philippines, and have consequently
been more or less tiresome; just as the
resolution adopted is meaningless.
Representative Stone Of Pennsyl-
yania, chairman Of the committee on
coinage, weights and measures, last
week presented the committee report
on the Hill bill, recently reported to
the house. The Hill bill follows the
lines Of the recommendations Of the
indianapolis monetary conference. It
declares for the gold standard; provides
for the interchangeabllity of all forms
OF money; separation of the issuance of
notes from the fiscal branch of the
treasury department, and gradual re-
tirement Of the greenbaoks. The report
says of the bill: 1T seeks to strength
en-, solidify and fortify our present sys-
ten rather than to build anew. Its
purpose may be defined in three words,
to remoye danger or, perhaps better,
the apprehension Of danger. It es-
pecially seeks to allay at home and
abroad all doubt as to the present and
qgality Of our money, and
to make and keep the credit of the ma
tion above the reach of successful at
or well-grounded apprehension. +"
This bill can be easily put through the
house, but the leaders have not yet de-
cided to do SO, and may not, because Of
the absolute impossibility of getting it
Or any other financial bill through the
senate as that body now stands.
notwithstanding all the democratic
shouting and the predictions of the ter
rible things that the mammoth standing
army of n%inety-odd thousand men will
be able to do to this pigmy nation of
~, 900, 900 people, there were only six
republicans who voted against the Hull
bill when it passed the house, and as an
offset four democrats and II populist
for the bill. The total vote was
l68 to 1875. The bill was amended be-
ore being passed so as to give the presi-
authority in his discretion to re-
the total Of the regular army to
lot less than so. 900; also to abolish the
army "canteen." Leading senator's
the opinion that the Hull bill
will be passed by the senate without
Substantial change, but the time for
action is growing very short and the
OF the bill will not be easy in
heir minds until the senate has passed
+. They know how easy it is for a
'sroqg minority to hang a bill up in
he senate.
The most important diplomatic utter
nee in Washington for some time was I
authorized interview in which the I
German ambassador to the United I
'tates said: "About the question of
expansion, which has become such a
'ital one. l a say that Germany at |
is not interfering III what is strict 6
? the affair Of the United States. The {
United States did not object to our oc. !
upation of Kiao-Chou. Why should
object to American occupation of
he Philippines? We have not in the
philippines any more vital interest I
han America had in China. Since the I
United States. although urged t do SO, 4
I'd not protest against our entrance 9
ito her commercial domain in the I
lelestisl empire we cannot do q more q
,urteous act than to follow her ex- J
nple and abstain from all criticism Of
v aotg In Asiatio waters" The fact
|at tho German ambassador had from =
y b~eginning Of the wal with Spain Y
MI ~ ~peblioation at this interview y
(nGo1 - ~ one word has added to
Tia interest In his words. In tho !.
IDenal1o world nothing In said OF y
= Wlthout - object. Perhaps the y
~ e ~ ambannador In this ease y
= 10y = ~ ~ Amsricans that y