The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-13
GENERAL POLITICAL
NOTES AND GOSSIP

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Embalmed beef promises to become po-
litiCal issue of the first magnitude. For
the time being it overshadows expansion
and all of the other important matters that
have been occupying the attention oil the
American public for the past few months.
Ever since General Miles made his state
ment that the beef sent by the War De-
partment to Porto Rico for the soldiers
under his command had been embalmed
and was unfit for use, trouble has been
brewing OF a serious character General
Miles's charges had to be met; they could
not be ignored. II is said that pressure
was brought to bear on him to get him to
either retract or modify his allegations
but without success. General Miles not
only repeated his original statement, but
added to il. No one who knows General
Miles will believe that he made his charges
in a moment of pique or merely 10 get
even with the War Department for al
legged unjust treatment. General Miles is
an old and experienced soldier. He has
been too long in the service, and knows
the responsibilities of his position too well
to indulge in reckless and irresponsible
criticism OF the War Department. His
statements were made deliberately and
with a full knowledge of the consequences
The War Department was forced, although
cCgnizance of the matter. The testimony
of Commissary General Eagan before the
Alger Relief Commission yesterday was
apparently deliberate and premeditated.
Army officers do not believe that General
Eagan would have dared to have called
General Miles his superior officer, liar
without a previous consultation with the
Secretary of War. Mr. Alger is undoubt
edly, in the opinion of army officers, be-
G,rinf sod
beyond the limitations of a mere dispute
between officers of the army. 1t has taken
on political significance that is likely to
be of a far reaching character.
General Eagan in his testimony yester-
day said that either General Miles or him
self ought to be cashiered and drummed
out of the army. While no one will
seriously question this statement, there is.
in the judgment of politicians, n great deal
more at stake in the controversy than the
future of either Miles or Eagan. Mr.. Nc
Kinley's Administration is involved. Re
CARELESS of the merits of the case. it is
perfectly obvious to the average politician
that it will be absolutely necessary for the
Administration to free itself from this
scandal il it has any hope of succeeding
itself in power. The result of the Presi-
Dental campaign next wear. it is pointed
out, may hinge on the i. sue that has been
raised by General Miles. Political consid-
erations and expediency will demand that
General Miles be sacrificed. However,
General Miles is an experienced fighter,
and he has also fair knowledge Of po-
litical methods and weapons. lie will not
be an easy man to crush.
Before the embalmed beef issue was
brought up it was generally conceded that
Mr.. Mckinley was certain to be renomi-
mated. Now. however, the matter may be
said TO be in doubt. Political managers
are. as rule. cold blooded. They do not
indulge in sentiment. 1t is, from their
point of view, too expensive q luxury. Their
sole idea is to win and they do not hest
tate TO drop any man whom they believe
has lost his usefulness a drawing card.
This fact was illustrated in the campaign
in New York last Fail Governor Black
who believed himself entitled to a renomi-
nation, was thrown down in a very unfeel-
ing manner. His administration had be-
come unpopular by reason of the canal
scandals and Roosevelt was substituted in
| his place. Mckinley may encounter the
| same fate next year II all depends, 1t is
| asserted, on how he handles the present
! situation. AS politician put it last night:
| Somebody has been embalmed. Whethe,
that somebody is Mckinley or another in
| dividual remains TO be seen"
=
/ pew was nominated last night by unani-
nous vote in the Republican caucus at
/ Albany for senator to succeed Senator Ed
| ward Murphy, jr This result was an
/ ticipated and, in fact, had been fore
+ Swallowed for some time. Something of a
scare. however was thrown into the ranks
/ of the Depew men at the eleventh hour
/ by the announcement of the candidacy oil
/ ROrhpETpr
sent a circular letter to each member OF
/ the legislature stating that he was the
I farmers friend and requested his support
for the senatOrship on that ground This
/ was especially annoying TO Mr.. Depew
who has flattered himself that he was the
only true friend the farmers had in the
State. Out in Chicago. in 1888, when Mr.
/ Depew thought that he was a candidate
for President the late Elliott F. Sheppard
who was a son-in-law OF William II. Van
derbilt flooded the town with posters
I bearing this legend: Vote for Chauncey
NJ. Depew the farmers friend, the wage
/ earners' choice Mr.. Depew, it is said
will come TO Washington next week after
his formal election by the legislature anC
take a survey of the field. He will proba
bly, call ON the President and give bin
some points on how to run his Admins
! tration. Mr. Depew is always free with
advice. At the same time 1t must b,
conceded that he has been 4 very sue
cessfu press agent. One OF the stories
MIR. Depew tells on himself which is no
yet gray-haired. is as follows: Walking
down Fifth Avenue Mr.. Depew encOun
tered mendicant who asked for aid
Feeling in a benevolent mood, he handed
him a dollar. The beggar, overcome witt
the munificence of the donation. said
Might | ask your name. sir"
My name" said Depew, lis Grove
Cleveland. Who are you?''
oh" said the beggar. 81 am onl!
Chauncey NJ. Depew." Mr.. Depew say
that he did not stop TO make any furthe
inquiries.
Mr.. Foraker and the Administra
tion.-Friends of the Administration ar
criticising Senator Foraker for putting tn
President in a false position before tn
country respecting his policy in regard Il
the Philippines Mr.. Foraker made III
assertion in his speech in the Senate tina
the President did not contemplate any
thing more than a temporary occupation
of the Philippines by our Government
that as soon as the Filipinos demonsrat
| ed that they were capable of self-govern
ment Mr.. Mckinley would take steps Il
give them their independence. This state
ment it is said. has made bad i'm
preston abroad and it is now ASSERTED
that Mr. Foraker had no authority iron
the President to make the assertion tina
he did The blame. however. is laid a
the Presidents door, for the alleged mis-
representation. II Mr.. Mckinley had de
fined his position and announced som
definite policy in the matter of the futur