Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-02-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WHAT HARRIS NOTES AT THE
NATIONAL CAPITAL.

AssIgnments.--M More BeefTaik.--Man
Yermonters in " ashingtOn.- -Edmunds
Little $4,000 Pee.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.
FELLOW UNFoRIU MATES haV'
said some commendat0ry things IN tn
last month about the mild and palml
climate here and the semi-tropical de
light of Washington as winter resort
bnt hereafter | will have very little {
say on the subject. The last week has
been terror. Zero weather and il
the vicinity of four inches of snow OF
the level and on everything else. Thi'
was the second snow OF the season
The first was the first day of January
and the month went out in the same
way. only more so. The change from
fine October weather to midwlntei
came in a night, and in the morning
1 the mourners went about the streets,
But the storm was P bonanza for
several hundred impoverished colored
gentlemen, who at once began TO ac-
cumulate wealth at the rate of Sl.25
per day for shoveling the snow into
piles in the streets and eartin9 II OF
with a combination of rickety dump
cart and ante-bellum mule, Consider
able OF the snow yet remains, but the
| Mortified weather has receded and we
are in hopes. This regardless Of the
woodchuck, who saw his shadow on
the snow Thursday.
The bill to reOrganize ana Increase
the army passed the House this week,
and is now before the Military Affairs
committee of the Senate. Il is more
than predicted that the House bill can
not pass the Senate, even ii amy bill Of
the kind can The bin gives the pres
ideHt discretionary power 20 reduce
the standing army which is TO be
regulars, no YOlunteers-tO 10000 If
he sees fit. but under present condi-
tions nobody believes that he would
reduce it 10 that extent AS ! have
said, it is extremely doubtful if any re-
organization scheme can get through
the Senate ut the present session. The
peace treaty will be voted on Monday
next and its fate will be decided be-
fore this is in print, but the admins
tratiOn is very anxious 10 have the
army recognized and put in condition
to meet present circumstances, and il
is freely stated by those in the presi-
dents confidence that If this is not
done by the Senate before the fourth
OF March, another session will be call
ed about May first The president re-
CARDS this legislation as an absolute
necessity, as it will give the govern
ment the power TO handle any condi-
tion that may arise, which cannot be
done now. So the question OF an eX-
ira session is yet an open one, and is
liable to remain one for some time to
come. This and the treaty have been
the most pressing and important legis-
lation before Congress, other routine
work being only a question OF time re-
garding which there has been and is
no question of party policy.
The army bill was made a strictly
party question and was fought from
start to finish on party lines. This was
the rule Of action, although five Demo
Gratis voted for the bill and six Repub-
licans against it. The fight for the
bill was led in the House by Chairman
Hull of the Military committee, ably
seconded by the Republican leaders
The Democrats antagonized it rs in
tended to provide a force for the an
nexation of the Philippines, and made
dozens of teryid speeches against the
supposed intention and
policy. The opposition fought it sec
uon by section like bulldogs and the
Republican leaders carried point after
point slowly but surely by force OF
numbers. II was stand-up, hand-to-
hand, giye-and-take fight day after day
until the final vote. The Democrats
received much aid and comfort from
Congressman johnson of Indiana, one
of the old members and one of the
ablest men in debate in the House.
johnson appeared to be on his feet
half the time, made speech after
speech, and was continually being
''sicked on by the Democrats. But
all opposition vent for nothing. and
the Republicans won every point A
note OF interest to Nermonters i'm the
passage of the bill is the fact that
Congressman Grout spoke forcibly
against the "canteen' or saloon system
at army posts and secured the inser-
ton of section in the bin which ex-
pressly torbids the system. Therefore.
as far as the House is concerned. the
canteen system is abandoned. 1t was
a big triumph for Gen .Grout. and if the
is allowed to remain
by the Senate it will revolutionize the
beer industry inthe army.
Although it may not be strictly a
Washington note, / viii mention
fact which viii certainly interest many
Nermonters. Charley Hoyt. whose
plays have delighted hundreds OF
in the past few years. is at
the Arlington hotel here as | write.
mental and physical wreck. His pub
lie career is ended, and he passes from
the stage of life forever. His latest
play, "A Dog in the Manager, . was put
on here last Monday night and was
fiat failure. 1t was its first appear
ance on any stage, and it goes Off to-
night forever. The sad death of his
beautiful wife was the beginning of
Mr.. Hoyt's breakdown. and the utter
failure of his last play-with other
troubles-bronght about his final col
lapse. He is in no condition to be
seen. and is soon to be taken to the