Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-08-29
Washington Letter.
| From our Regular Correspondent.

Secretary Gage, whose position en-
ables him to know more about the
finances of the government than
those who are making sensational
statements to the contrary, says the
increase in the volunteer army will
not cause the slightest embarrass-
ment to the treasury and that no
bonds will have to be issued or new
taxes imposed to raise the money
needed to meet every obligation OF
the government as it becomes due.
This ought to put a stop to all the
wild talk about more bonds and
more war taxes, but of course it will
not; the sensationalists are bound
to have something to write about,
and the i-expansionists will try
to use financial scare to make up
for lack of real arguments against
the Philippine policy of the admins
tration, but there is no occasion for
sensible persons to pay any attention
| to them.
Although Secretary Root declines
to be interviewed on the matters dis
cussed at his conference with Presi-
dent Mckinley, this week. it can be
stated absolutely that it was not
about a change in the commander of
the army in the Philippines, and that
General Otis will remain in command
during the campaign, which both
President Mckinley and Secretary
Root are confident will result in
crushing the PHILIPPINE rebellion.
1t is not believed at the War depart
ment that the last ten regiments of
volunteers, now in course OF organi
zation, will be needed in the Philip
pines, but they will be hurried along
just as though they were absolutely
necessary.
Following is an extract from an
authorized interview with Secretary
Wilson: "The agricultural interests
in the United States are today in as
prosperous a condition as could be
reasonably desired. The crops in
the Mississippi valley are the heav-
lest grown there. Kansas will pro-
duce 100000 600 bushels of corn
NeLraska's yield is estimated at
$50, 900, 600 bushels. Iowa and Hi
nois will have record breaking crops.
Agri, nlture and horticulture are ex-
ceedingly prosperous In the noun
tain states and along the Pacific
coast. Our total wheat crop will be
short of 'st years figures, but all
other crops will be superintendent.
This prosperity in agriculture has
come TO stay. There is nothing ephe
neral or spasmodic about it. The
people in the United States are salts
cd ha Of r h0
administration. They are gratified
with the good wages for labor and
with the prosperous manufacturing
activities. They are sanguine Of our
commercial future. The best peo-
pie morally, religiously, patriotically,
in the United States sustain the
president in his effort to conquer a
peace in the Philippines, to crush
out the insurrection. and to press the
war to an honorable and successful
conclusion The people believe that
when that has been accomplished
every effort will be made by the
United States government to estab-
lish order and to promote good gov
eminent in the Philippines
Representative Dalzell, Of Pa,
whose prominence as q member Of
the house for number of years
gives weight to his opinions on COM
ing legislation, is in Washington on
business. He predicts that the COM
ing session OF congress will be one Of
the liveliest we have ever had, owing
to the number of important ques-
tiOns that will have to be taken up.
He sums up the legislative probabili-
ties about thusly: A financial DILL,
a bill providing a civil form Of gov
ernment for Porto Rico, ditto for
Hawaii, aEo again ditto for the Phil
ippines.
In view Of the talk Of war between
Great Britain and the Transvaal
Republic, the tollo wing description
OF the latter's principal city, from
report to the Department of State.
from the United States consul gen eral
to Capetown, is timely as we'll as in
teresting: Johannesburg is a busy,
busting clty-the only real city in
South Africa from the standpoint of
an American. The buildings would
do credit to any city. The streets
are wide, but the motive power of
ChS SUI ecu Oil CoAlEASbC VI bOt SOS
and mules, and, as the Beers believe
that the substitution of other power
would stop the sale Of forage and
horses, the government will not grant
a concession. Johannesburg has been
built up by the gold mining industry
developed by foreign capital, and
American ability has had q hand in
the development, for Americans oc-
cupy the very necessary and response
BILE positions of managers, consulting
engineers and superintendents; and
[ was glad to learn that their ability
was recognized by other countries
For tw,n MY miles Oh each Sue Of the
city extend the head gear and smoke
stacks of m1nes-over 100 Of them
which have made the city and state
what it is and enabled President
Kruger to sell farm for 100000
the day [ was there. The mining ex-
change, where the daily sale of shares
occurs, is as lively and unintellisible
AS our own stock exchanges Over
fifteen tons of gold per month is the
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