The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-02-02
WASHINGTON.
From our Regular Correspondent.

'OA'1 J"'' OC' 'oDV.
A sensational speech against the
Hull bill Tor the increase of the regular
army, which will he voted upon next
Tuesday, was ma c in the House by
Representative Johnson, of Ind,
republican. He said of Mr.. McKin-
ley; If William Mckinley ever
changes his policy regarding the Phil
pines he will bend to the weight of
popular opinion, to which he bows,
right or wrong Identically the same
sentiment, in slightly different words,
had been expressed the day before by
Jerry Simpson. Being interrupted by
applause from the democratic side,
Mr.. Johnson asked that it be not re-
peated until he had finished, when
Representative Henderson of Iowa,
sneeringly remarked: ''You ought to
be able to stand democratic applause.
Quick as flash Mr.. Johnson retort.
ed: 81 am ready to stand the applause
OF broadminded, honest men every
where, just as am ready to stand
the criticism of lrrowninded repub-
leans. Speaking of the treaty of
peace, Mr.. Johnson said: "If | were
in the Senate, | would rot in my seat
before would consent to that treaty.
The most carefully prepared speech
against the Hull bill was made by
Representative Hay, of Va, the rank
ing democratic member of the Mill
tary Committee, who said that the
bill provided for too small an army to
carry out an imperial policy and too
large a one if we are not 70 have an
imperial policy.
The absurdity of the charge that
the anti-imperialists are holding up
the treaty of peace became fully
apparent in the debate on the treaty,
this week. Senator German told the
supporters OF the treaty that its oppon-
ents were ready to join them by doubt
ing their earnestness about taking a
vote on the treaty. Senator Vest
spoke even palmer. He said: "We
want it understood distinctly that we
are not holding the treaty up at all.
Name the day. We will agree to any
date that will suit you. If you have
the votes you can ratify the treaty; if
not, it will be defeated; the question
will be disposed of, and the Senate
can proceed with other business"
Under these taunts Senator Davis
asked that the treaty be voted on Feb.
6, and it was agreed to.
Senator Clay, of Ga, who favors
ratification of the treaty but opposes
expansion, did some common sense
talking this week, in the Senate. For
instance, he said of the failure of the
administration to announce a policy
toward the Philippines: "If it be wise
and statesmen like to outline our
policy as to Cuba before the adoption
of the peace treaty, what reason or
logic can the friends of expansion give
for silence as to the policy of our
government in dealing with our other
territorial acquisitions" and OF reten-
tion of the Philippines means an army
of 5000. 1t means that the annual
expenses of the army will increase
from $40, 900 to $500, 100000
And large standing army means that
the pension list will increase from
$4,000, 900 to $Io, 900 annually
~
That there is something rotten about
the War Department is every day be-
coming more apparent, in spite of the
efforts made to keep down the truth.
The War Investigating Commission
seems especially determined to save
the contractors who furnished the bad
beef, both refrigerated and canned, to
our soldiers, by insisting that the beef
was good, in the face OF positive evi-
dence to the contrary Another
proof of the rottenness of the War
Department methods is furnished by
the assertions made by Gen. Eagan's
friends, that he is willing to accept a
nominal punishment as a result of his
court-martial for Safeguarding Gen. |
Miles, and keep his mouth shut, but
that If Mr.. Mckinley fails to set aside
enough of the finding of the court
martial to make his punishment nom.
inal, he will raise such a scandal as
Washington has not had for many