The times., 1899-01-05
GENERAL POLITICAL
NOTES AND GOSSIP.

VIII Hr. Choatc he Ambassador to
England :-There is said TO be hitch i'll
the appointment of Joseph H. Choate as
ambassador to England. 1t appears that
Mr. Cholte in some Of his after dinner
speeches during the past fifteen or twenty
years has INDUCED himself in remarks
that We're not altogether complimentary
to persons of Irish nativity. He has,
in fact, attempted to be humorously sar
castle upon number of occasions at the
expense OF The sons and descendants of
st. Patrick. y formal protest against the
appointment OF Mr. Choate, it is under
stood. has been sent to the President from
representative Irish Americans. The as
serton is made that Mr.. Choate's appoint
ment would be distasteful 10 the great
mass Of American citizens of Irish extrac-
tion in this country. They will regard
his appointment, il is said. as personal
affront to the Irish race. This is an OBJ
lection that was not anticipated by SEN
ator Platt or any OF Mr.. Choate's hackers.
They believed that Mr.. Choates remarks
on the Irish race had either been forgot
ten or accepted in a Pickwickian sense,
not to be taken seriously.
During his interview with the President
Senator Plat, it is said called Mr.. Nc
Kinleys attention to this fact. He in
sisted that the opposition to the appoint
ment of Mr.. Choate did not amount to
anything. that it came from certain pro
fessional'' Irishmen who were always on
the lockout for grievances. The selec-
tion of Mr.. Choate. he said, as ambassa
dor would be satisfactory to the rank and
file of the inhabitants CT the Empire State
irrespective Of party. Mr.. Mckinley,
however is a candidate for 4 second term
and he has a great respect for the So
called Irish vote" It is understood that
he has held up Mr.. Choate's appointment
pending an inquiry into Mr.. Choate's rec
ord. While the chances are that Mr..
Choate Will be appointed to succeed Col
onel Hay as ambassador TO England the
fact that his appointment has been de-
ferred has caused his friends some uneasi-
ness. They are afraid that Whitelaw
Reid has been getting In his work since his
return from Paris 1t Is known that Mr..
Reid is, and has been, a standing candi-
date for the English embassy. AS the
editor Of the alleged leading Republican
organ of the United States Mr.. Reid feels
that he has claims upon the Administra-
ton that are deserving Of consideration.
Two members of the Cabinet Colonel Hay
and Charles Emery Smith, are favorable
to Reid. The only thing that stands in
the way OF Mr.. Reds appointment, it is
said. is the absence Of any Endorsement
of his candidacy from the Republicans OF
the Empire State. It is claimed that
there is not single letter on file with the
President recommending Mr.. Reid from
any Republican in New York outside of
the members OF the Tribune staff
The Compensation of the Peace
g. t,I-
ley's peace ENJOYS has been more or less
a subject of speculation in the newspapers.
II has ranged from 800 GOO each downward.
THE truth is said a gentleman who was
connected with the commission in con-
fidential capacity yesterday, that there has
probably never been such an economical
commission in the history of this country.
When the commissioners started for Paris
the sum of Sl25, 900 was set aside for their
expenses Out of this amount they were to
be paid for their services. The commits
sioners were allowed their actual expenses
and each received in addition check on
the Treasury for SIS, 900. The employees Of
the commission were allowed 50 and $40 a
day for their expenses, according to their
rating The commission only gave one
formal dinner in Paris, which cost less
than 500. All invitations TO public func-
were declined. After all the expenses of
every description connected with the COM
mission were paid, the President had still
a comfortable balance left out of the fund
of si25. 600 set aside for the purpose which
he turned back into the Treasury. 1 do
not believe that the total cost of the COM
mission, including salaries and everything,
will exceed 100000.
litical sharps perceive in Governor Roose-
velts message to the New York Legislature
a bid for the Republican nomination for
President in 1900. Colonel Roosevelt in
directly criticises the War Department and
its methods. He has some remarks to make
about the sphere of influence OF the ad-
jutant general which are especially inter-
esting to army officers. Roosevelt insists
that the adiutant general is not an indie
pendent officer; that his function is merely
to execute the orders of the general COM
manding. The commanding general, he
says, should be given sole power and au-
thority, and if found incompetent another
should be appointed in his place. Under no
circumstances. he asserts. should the ad-
iutant general be permitted to usurp the
duties of the commanding general.
Upon this point Governor Roosevelt is at
direct variance with the practice which
has been in vogue in the War Department
since Mr.. Alger became Secretary Of War.
The friends of the latter are incensed at
Governor Rooseyelt's statements. They
hold that the adjutant general is the spe-
cial representative of the President and
the Secretary of War and that he must
obey their orders regardless of the orders
of the commanding general. Otherwise,
they say the military authority would su-
persede the civil authority. a condition
which is not contemplated in the Constitu-
tion of the United States.
The sensitiveness shown by The members
of the Administration on this subject is
quite significant. Governor Roosevelt is
evidently looked upon as a formidable rival
for the Republican nomination for the
Presidency next year. The indications
point to the early retirement of Mr.. Alger
from the Cabinet.
Servant Girl Unions.
From the Chicago Ncws)