The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-08-04
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER,
WASHINGTON, ID. c., July 31st.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., July 31st.
Mr.. EDIToR:-Republcan wishes father
the story sent out from Washington sew
eral days ago that a movement was on
foot to put another gold democratic presi-
dental ticket in the field next year No
such movement is known among demo-
Gratis, and no such action is expected to
get the support of any considerable num-
Der of democrats, because they all know
that it is not being instigated by democrats
but by republicans, whose only object is
to draw support away from the regular
democratic ticket A number of demo
Gratis who took part in organizing the
Palmer and Buckner movement have since
acknowledged their mistake and their re-
greet, and expressed their intention to
stand by the regular nominations here.
after, because the democratic party as a
whole stands for most of the things they
believe in. Although republican money
is likely to be freely used to bring about
such condition, there is absolutely moth
ing in sight at this time, to indicate the
next year.
There is much shaking and quaking in
the old Algcr clique in the War Depart
ment because of a rumor, which seems to
have foundation, that Secretary Root, who
is now in Washin gton preparatory to being
sworn in tomorrow ana taking charge
intends to rcorganiZe the War Depart
mcnt from bottom to top. Certainly no
other department of the government needs
thorough reorganization more than the
one over which Mr. Root has been chosen
to preside, but the clique is powerful and
Secretary Root may find himself unable
to overthrow the Algerites. If he is wise
he will get Gen. Miles on his side, by re-
storing him the authority of which he was
deprived by Alger.
Attorney General Griggs, before goil.
off on his summer vacation, shattered the
hopes of numerous persons who thought
they had everything fixed to secure valu-
able Porto Rcan concessions from the
War Department by rendering opinions
upon three specific CONCESSIONS right
to use the water power of the river Plata
the right to build and operate tramway
and the right to build and control, for all
time. piers and wharves at Ponce. These
opinions take the ground that all such
concessions were the crown property of
Spain, and sums them all, and apparently
al other public concessions ON the island,
up as follows: AS crown property they
were by the treaty of ccssion transferred
by Spain to the United States of America.
and are now Il part of the public domain
of that nation. | do not know of any
right or power which the Secretary of
War or the President has to ALLEVIATE in
perpetuity any of the public domain of
the United States, except in accordance
with acts of Congress duly passed with
reference thereto" This is understoodtc
be hint to Alger of the power of the All
ministration to make trouble for him and
his business friends, who are heavily in
tercsted in some Cuban deals, if he at
tempts to antagonize the administration.
Representative Griffith, who represents
the Indiana district which sent the late
Judge Holman to Congress for SO many
years, said of politics in his State, and he
knows: Indiana will send to the Demo
cratic National Convention solid
Bryan delegation. The men who were
fnr g.,
in 1896 have not weakened in their faith
regarding either. ! am one of those who
believe in the indestructibility of the prin-
ciples of democracy, and though the party
may suffer temporary defeat it is sure TO
regain ascendency, for it represents better
than any other political organization the
| true interests of the people. The FREEDOM
inant issue in 1900 is very apt to be war
upon the trusts, and upon this the demo-
Gratis will be in far better position than
their opponents. The voters of the coun-
try cannot be dcluded by antitrust decla-
rations of the republican convention; they
| understand that there is no real antag-
onism between the leading men of that
| party and the trusts, but that on the con-
trary the closest intimacy exists, seeing
that most of the Influential republicans
| are thoroughly identified with combines
| and monopoles. We had a great chance
| in 1896, and we came very near success,
| and we will have just as good a chance in
| 1900. | see nothing in the situation that
| is discouraging to democrats, but on the
contrary much that betokens a winnin.
campaign