The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1899-06-16
WASHINGTON LETTER.


was It's boast that 10 published all the
official dispatches received. IL is
known from the press reports that
have been allowed TO pas, the Military
Censor at Manila, that hard fighting
has been going ON, and the suspicion
is growing that Cen. OTIS is making
some Use of the volunteers who should
be ON their way home If amy of the
numerous promises made had been
kept, that the administration doesn't
wish their friends al home o. know
until whatever is being attempted is all
over. And il is admitted by officials
that there are differences between Gen.
Otis and Mr. Schurmau, President of
the Philippine Commission, but claim
ed that the difference are uuimportant
The public doesn't care continental
about the claim, made by officials but
il wishes TO know and feels that 10 has
u right to know what is being done
with our volunteers; hence there is "a
general feeling Of resentment against
The suppression Of official dispatches.
One of the principal reasons why
Secretary Alger desires To retain the
War portfolio. even when he knows
that Dir. Mckinley would like TO get
rid of him. will soon become apparent
to close observers. Us it has been an
nounced that q number of franchises
for various more on less valuable con-
cessions i'm Porto Rico are shortly to be
granted. 1t might naturally be sup
posed that such franchises, if granted
at all before the establishment of the
civil government for the island, would
be granted 10y the Military Governor,
but mo- chances are tO be taken by the
men who are after those franchises;
they are to be granted 10y Secretary
Alger, aud it is dollars to giuger-cakes
that every one of them that is at all
desirable, will be captured 10y his
friends and business associates.
In issuing a second elaborate defense
Of Mr.. McKnley's Civil Service order,
Secretary Gage rather overdid his task,
without changing anybody's opinion.
Criticisms of the order have made Mr..
Mckinley very sore, aud be- has en-
gagged i'm the explanation business him.
self and even tried TO get funny by
telling how surprised Senators and
Representatives have been who have
come after some of the places expected
from the Civil Service Rules and found
that they were all filled, and that no
removals were contemplated. He also
gave out for publication letter from
the Board If the Smithsonian lnstitu-
ton, asking that the heads of all the
bureaus of that establishment be eX-
empted from the civil service rules.
SO much explanation is calculated to
increase rather than diminish suspicion
of that order. The fuil significance of
the clause which permits the reinstate-
ment of any government employe,
regardless of how long they have been
out Of the government service, is just
beginning to be seen. Under it every
employe who was dismissed during
the two Cleveland administrations can
be reinstated, if they have pull enough.
Southerners We're pleased by the
selection of ex Senator Pasco, ~
Florida, As one of the nine Commits
sioners named by Mr.. Mckinley TO
make an investigation of the Canal
route across the isthmus. Representa-
tive Underwood, of Alabama, declares
that the people Of his section regard
provision for the building Of canal
one of the most important matters to
come before the next Congress. The
last Congress appropriated Sl,O0O00O
for this Commission. IL was under
stood at the time thit this provision
was the work Of the lobbyists employed
by the Panama Canal Company. Tn
less those who think they know are
badly mistaken, the Panama Company
is not likely TO profit by the Commits
sion, which is regarded as almost sure
to report in favor of the Nicaragua
route. How soon this Commission
will report is a matter of doubt, but its
members have been requested to try 90
do So before or during the next session
Of Congress.
A committee of distinguished Cubans
are in Washington to protest against
the order Of the War Department
an legal proceedings on
debts contracted before last December,
IN Cuba and to eudeavor to get the
order revoked, or at least modified.
They say that the order is paralyzing
the business Of the planters, by max
ing it impossible for them to borrow
money without paying extortionate
interest, bat their chance for success is |
not encouraging, a. the order i'm ques-
ion was one Of Ayers pet schemes.
Members Of the administration are /
greatly exercised over the latest news I
rom the Cars Peace Conference at I
The Hague, which says that Germany
: opposing the arbitration scheme, /
md that it will probably get enough /
'otes from the smaller powers repre- /
ented. to defeat IT, There are others, /