Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-12-29
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Dec, %, 1899.

I" My belief is that we ought TO have
another commission to investigate the
entire conduct of the Spanish war;"
While no man objects to the official
honors paid to the memory of gallant
Gen. Henry w. Lawton, who was
killed in the Philippines this week,
and who was as brave an officer as
ever wore uniform, thousands object
to the picayune war on those islands,
which is costing this country the lives
OF such men as Lawton. 1t is all right
to issue a general order announcing
his death and praising his record, and
to contribute money to pay off the
mortgage on the home of his widow
and children, but that does not hide
the fact that he lost his life in q war
that might have been avoided.
Senator Jones, Chairman, has called
a meeting of the Democratic National
Committee for Washington's birthday,
to select the time and place for the
Democratic national convention.
Before the adjournment of Congress
for the Christmas recess important
resolutions were offered in both House
and Senate by Democrats, dealing
with the Philippine question. SEN
ator Bacon's resolution is being much
talked OF. 1t meets all the objections
which have been raised to our leaving
the Philippines, and allowing the ma
tives to establish an independent gov
eminent. 1t provides that this gov
eminent shall declare its intention
and secure a guarantee OF the perpet-
ual independence of the islands
through treaties with the leading ma
tions of the world, which would do
away with the possibility OF fighting
among European nations to secure
possession of the islands, should we
withdraw, which has been held up by
many as one Of the principal reasons
why we should keep the islands. It
was Senator Bacon who drew up the
Democratic resolution ct the last ses-
sion OF Congress, which was only de-
fested by the vote of the Vice Presi-
dent. Representative DeArmond Of
fered resolution in the House, quot
ing the Declaration OF Independence,
declaring that our government has no
constitutional right to maintain colo
NAL dependencies; that the expansion
of our commerce should not be de-
pendent upon policy OF imperialism
Involving subsection and annexation
OF Asiatic colonies, and that We are
opposed to the retention of the Phil
ippines, and that it is our purpose to
consent to their independence as soon
as stable government shall be es.
tablished by them and toward the
prompt establishment Of such gov
eminent we pledge our friendly as
sistance.
Close friends of Boss Platt say that
he is laying wires to try to prevent the
nomination Of Secretary Root, who
has been chosen by Boss Hanna and
Mr.. Mckinley, for Vice President on
the Mckinley ticket. According to
this same authority, he expects to
succeed by having the New York dele
CATION to the Republican National
Convention not only refuse to endorse
Root, but present Timothy Woodruff
for the nomination. 1t will be good
thing for the Democrats If this infor-
nation turns out 10 be correct, as .
fight between the Plat machine in
New York, and the Hanna-McKinley
machine will give the Democrats n
good fighting chance to carry the
State.
No objection was raised 70 the
swearing in Of Senator Allen, of Ne
braska, who took q seat on the Demo-
cratic side and who will take promi.
nent part in the financial discussion
Of the Senate substitute for the House
gold standard bill, which has been re-
ported to the Senate and will be
called up and given the right OF way
as unfinished business on January 4.
Secretary Gage submitted to Con-
gross estimates for deficiencies in APP
propriations for the current fiscal
year, mostly in the War Department.
on account OF the war in the Philip.
pines, aggregating more than $50, OO0,-
600. That 10 the sort of thing that
imperialism brings.
Senator Tillman says he intends
making speech soon after Congress
reassembles in favor of his resolutio
for the immediate withdrawal Of all
American claims to the Philippine
islands, but be doesn't expect the res.
olution to be adopted, because "at the
present time the Senate would vote
down the Declaration of Independence
and the Ten Commandments, il they
were offered by q Democrat"
Representative Rhea, of Kentucky,
wants the Democrats of the House to
hold caucus when Congress reassem-
bles to decide upon united party oppo-
sition to the Reed rules. He said on
the subject: II do not expect to see
the gag removed. / realize that the
Republicans have US in their grip, and
that they will continue to hold Va as
in wise, but / do expect to see the
Democrats sufficiently aroused to q
sense of the indignity being heaped
upon them as to kick in concert and
continue to do 90 until the country is
made to thoroughly understand our
utterly hopeless condition to influence
legislation in the House, which is
practically in the hands of the
Speaker" Dem.