St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-12-27
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Resolutions in the Senate-The Next
Republican Convention - Ex-senator
Quay--PolygamistP Ostmasters- Ami
yeraariea.

| nat tHc oSudlC VIII ouPPoi' lhS
administration in the present war
was Indicated, when the first test
vote of the anti-expansionists was
taken upon Senator Pettigrew's
resolution, asking that the Secretary
of the Navy report whether Admiral
Dewey ever saluted the flag of the
Philippines since May 1, 1898, or
whether the vessels ever carried their
flag in Manila harbor? The resolu-
ton was de Gated, Tor Senator
Chandler moved to have it tabled,
for he felt sure that it would be
cabled to Manila; the vote stood
Al to 20. Senator Hoar was the
only republican who voted for it.
1t has been decided to hold the next
Republican Convention in Philadel-
phia. The final contest lay between
Chicago and Philadelphia. The
committees from the states and dele
cations from leading cities were
allowed one hour each to present
their claims, but it was thought that
Philadelphia made a combination
with the southern contingent in order
to defeat the Payne resolution, and
they offer a fund of one hundred
thousand dollars, the exposition
buildings and ample hotel privileges.
Mr.. Payne of Wisconsin has
labored most faithfully to change
the basis of representation in the
National Conventions by the votes
cast in a Presidential election. He
argues that the present system is
matter Of injustice to the densely
populated states. By his arrange
ment New York would have the
largest number of the 1914 delegates
if there was one delegate for every
10000 votes. Mississippi has one
delegate for 2S5, while New York
has only one delegate for 1000
persons. The new plan would reduce
the number in the southern states
hence, they were resolved to fight it.
President Mckinley is the candidate
and he is opposed to the new
measure.
1t is thought Secretary Root may
be candidate for the place as Vice
President, although several names
are mentioned. 1t is quite probable
that the old system Of two delegates
from each district and four delegates
at large may be retained.
The arguments for seating ex
Senator Quay again in the Senate
were made by Gen. Elkins, while Mr.
Carsons, who was on the other side
claimed that there had been three
decisions by the Senate on a similar
question and they all forbade the
seating of Mr.. Quay. Ex-senator
Edmunds also brought out some
strong arguments on the negative
side. By special rule, Representa-
2 tive Overstreet of Indiana, chairman
of the House currency bill, intro
duced the general debate upon Mon
. dav and the discussion continued
S all the week, with three evening
sessions, until Saturday when tn,
five minute rule prevailed, and thu
vote was to be taken on Monday
the 18th. Representative Overstree
r predicts it will pass by about I
-. MAJ ority of SO if all unite that ar
d expected (1S5 republicans and eigh
t democrats).
+ The United States marshall O
e Utah affrms that he knows of onl,
/. two postmasters, Messrs. Graham
and Smith, who have been accused
: Of being polygamists, but bein,
v prominent citizens they were no
$ suspected by the Gentiles at the time
Y until one and half years afterwards
/. John c. Graham will have a trial il
e Salt Lake City and Smith is now GU
y of office, so there appears to be onl,
= one Federal appointee accused ant
: the United States marshal has no
. executed the law since Utah wa
admitted to statehood, Jan. 4, 1896
now it is matter for state law.
+ The month of December thus ia
. has been remarkable for the observ
Il ance of anniversaries; one OF tn
$ most important in the nation
+ history is that of the centennial O
y George Washington's death upol
y December ID, The various patrioti
't societies of the District held appro
J. !, pirate services at 4 p. m. in tn
q church of the Epiphany in this city
{ The body of the church was reserved
e for the members OF the organizations
: Flags decorated the church. Bishol
Satterlee OF Washington, aided b,
S DR.. r. H. McKim, DR.. Mackay
Smith and the chaplain of tb
( societies oficiated at the servic
n which opened with the organ prelude
IS Beethoven's Funeral March on tn
S Death of Hero" followed by tn