Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-04-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent
Wy .o,,x Al an 1oC

in Washington by the cabled news
that prominent European editors
were seriously discussing the prob
ability of our abandonment of the
Philippines. These men do not
know the American character even
a little bit. President Mckinley
and his cabinet have no more idea
Of abandoning the Philippines than
they have abandoning Hawaii or
Porto Rico. And, what is more to
the point, they are perfectly well
satisfied with the progress that has
been made by Gen. Otis towards
getting possession of the Philip
pines. They know that the origin
of the numerous stories about the
insurmountable difficulties before
us in the Philippines, which are
being published in this country
and Europe, as well as the tele-
grams sent to the Philippines to
create dissatisfaction among the
volunteers, can be traced to poll
tics-very dirty politics, too; that
they are being spread by Demo-
Gratis and other anti-expansionists,
with the hope that a sentiment can
be created among the voters that
will be injurious to the administra-
ton in next years campaign. No
political party can make votes by
belittling the American flag and
power; hence the stories cause no
uneasiness to the administration
The Military Court of Inquiry
has completed the taking of testi-
mony and expects to make its re-
port this week. There is nothing
in sight to indicate that the report
will contain anything sensational.
There has already been too much
sensational stuff printed about the
whole business.
Senator Quay is at his Washing
ton home, but his vindication by q
jury and his appointment to be
Senator by Gov. Stone has not
changed his habitual reticence con-
cerning himself. Since his arrival
in Washington, the day of his ac-
quittal, he has been steadily re-
ceiving congratulations, by wire,
mail, and by personal calls from
his friends. He expressed his
qualification to all callers, but
pleasantly declined to say anything
for publication concerning his ap-
pointment by Gov. Stone, or his
own intentions. The Senate has
decided the question raised by the
appointment of Mr.. Quay to the
Senate both ways, and majority
of the Senate of each Congress can
decide it either way and there is no
appeal, but all the recent decisions
have been against the right of a
governor to fill vacancy in the
Senate that occurs through the
failure of the legislature to elect
Senator while in session. If Mr..
Quay's credentials from the Gov
ernOr are decided to be good, the
governors of California, Delaware
and Utah will appoint Senators to
fill the vacancies, from the same
cause, from those States.
1t is an interesting coincidence,
made prominent by the announce
ment that Speaker Reed would
retire from Congress to practice
law in New York city, that seven
of the thirty-two Speakers the
House has had-Reed, Carlisle,
Randall, Blaine, Colfax, Stevenson
and Macon-served three terms in
that exalted position. 1t is noted
also in this connection that only
one Speaker-James X. Polk
ever became President. The only
Speaker who served longer than
three terms was Henry Clay, who
had a fraction more than five terms
to his credit. The talk about the
probable successor to Mr.. Reed is
as yet largely speculative. No
party ever had a larger array of
capable men available for the
honor than the Republicans of the
next House will have, and while
there may be good natured rivalry
between individuals as well as sec
tions, every Republican will have
the satisfaction of knowing that a
good Speaker is bound to be chosen.
While it is understood that Repre-
sentatives Grosvenor, of Ohio;
Dalzell, of Pa; Mercer, of Neb.
Moody, of Mass; and Sherman
and Payne, of n. y, will be can
didates, the only avowed candidate
who has been to Washington since
the announcement of Mr.. Reeds |
retirement, is Mr., Payne, of n. v,
who succeeded the late Representa-
tive Dingley as Chairman of the |
Ways and Means Committee and
floor leader Of the Republicans.