The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-03-17
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent.

From our regular Correspondents
WASHINGTON, d. G.. March. II, 1899.
Considering that they controlled
only one branch Of the ffty-lifth Con-
gress, the republicans have every rea-
I, son to be proud of the record left by
that Congress, which has been in sew
eral respects one of the most remark
able IN history, and which has played
an important part in the worlds his
tory. 1t did not meet all the expecta-
tlons Of the country, no Congress ever
did, and probably none ever will but
it did much that was good and left un-s
done many things it was urged to do
] that would have been bad and unwise.
1t was wise enough, for instance, to
leave the President free hand to deal
with Philippines while we are finding
out what will be the best thing to do
for them. President Mckinley fully
appreciates the extent of the RESPONSE
bility thus placed upon him, as we'll
as the great compliment implied by
this confidence in him, and will, in
accordance with his usual custom,
move cautiously in all that he does.
His administration has been remark
ably free from mistakes in matters of
Importance and it requires no gift of
prop hecy is say that his official acts
will justify the confidence reposed him
by Congress and by the people.
Tie appropriations made by the
Congress just closed were large in the
aggregate, but if any man can point
out any particular appropriation that
was not needed, he has not yet done
so. A large proportion of the total
was for the war, and to meet expenses
consequent thereon. For several years
the condition of the Treasury, owing
to four years OF democratic hard times,
made it necessary to skimp the appro-
priations for public buildings, many of
which were badly needed; these have
been provided for as we'll as important
River and Harbor improvements. The
republican party has always believed
In liberality in these two classes of
Expenditures, when the condition of
the Treasury would justify it.
President Mckinley is inclined to
favor the adoption of the suggestion
made few days ago, by Gen Gomez,
that U. S. troops to be kept in Cuba
until such time as it may be consider
ed advisable by this government, to
turn the inland over to the Cubans
SHALL be largely recruited from the
ranks OF The Cuban army. The new
Army bill gives the President discre-
ton in the matter of recruiting from
1.-THE natives OF any of the islands oc-
cupied by us, and, unless something
occurs to make such a step inadvisa-
BILE, it is extremely likely that many
Cubans will soon be wearing Uncle
Sans uniform. To enlist few thou
sand Cubans in our army will be kill
ing two birds with one stone; it will
reduce the number of Americans who
will have to be kept on the island dur
ing the sickly season, and it will give
employment to many who might be-
come troublesome if unemployed.
Tlle Nicaragua Canal amendment
to the River and Harbor bill, as finally
agreed upon, authorizes the President
to appoint Commission of Engineers
to investigate the Nicaragua and
Panama Canal outes, and report to
him in time for him to report to the
next Congress, and appIopriates 81,
600, 900 to pay expenses.