The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-06-21
WASHINGTON
LETTER.
A NEwsY LETTER FROM OUR REGU-
LAR CORRESPONDENCE.
The President Goes to HOlyoke = The
Flag for Cuban Vessels Ex Congress
man Baker Objects to the Extension of
the Civil Service Rules.

to remain away about ten days.
President Mckinley was not surpris-
ed by the news OF heavy fighting in the
Philippines, although many others
we're. The President knew that the
plans of Gen. Otis would bring on more
fighting, but he did not, of course,
know that the Filipinos would fight so
hard. But the end was just the same
as it has been and as it will continue
to be as long as there is any lighting
victory for the Americans. The tight
ing this week has not made the slight
est change in the plans OF the War De-
partment. Before the fighting started
orders were issued which will when
fully carried out give Gen. Otis a force
OF 81, 900 regulars, which will be five
thousand more men than he has at any
time expressed an opinion were neces-
sary to put down the Philippine revolt.
No additional orders are at this time
contemplated by the War Department,
but as Gen. Otis is conducting an ac-
tive campaign, notwithstanding the
rainy season, necessity for other orders
may arise at any time. Only one OBJ
ject is aimed at by the department-to
put down the revolt at the earliest
possible moment.
The troublesome question OF a flag
for Cuban vessels that would secure
them protection in foreign ports, has
been satisfactorily solved, and the War
Depat tment will issue orders which
will enable Cuban vessels to fly the U.
s. flag above the coasting flag already
authorized. The combination of the
two flags will give notice to foreign
authorities that while the vessel flying
them is not an Americon vessel, 1t is
under American protection. The priv
ilege of carrying the flag will confer no
privilege enjoyed by an American YES
sci in foreign ports, through treaty,
nor in our own ports. The regulations
for the use of the flag will prescribe
that the owner of the vessel applying
therefor shall give bond that his vessel
shall engage only in legitimate trade
| and shall use the flag only for purposes
set forth in the official order also that
no Cuban vessel engaged in foreign
trade shall carry arms or ammunition,
except by special permissiNL OF the
general commanding the United States
forces in Cuba. Vessels having the
flag shall when in foreign ports deposit
their clearance papers with the United
States consul, or if there be none, with
the consul of friendly nation. The
order has been very carefully drawn
| by Attorney General Briggs.
Notwithstanding the claim by the
Philadelphia paper that published the
sensational interview with Prof. Haupt
who was a member of the Nicaragua
Canal Commission, and is member o.
the new Canal Commission, concern
the methods of the opposition to pre-
. vent the construction of the Nicaragua
canal, that the interview was correct
Prof. Haupt's denial of both the Ian
guage and the sentiments OF the inter
view, has been accepted by Presiden
Mckinley, and the incident is closed
so far as any official action is con
cerned.
Ex-Congressman Baker, of New
Hampshire, who is president of thu
League of Republican Workers, whicl
has been formed for the purpose of op
posing any further extension of tn,
civil service rules, says he expects t.
have some startling facts to present t
Congress next winter. Speaking o
the league and its objects, Mr.. Bake
said: 1--WE are opposed not only to a
extension of the civil service system
but also to the interference with tn
law which has been practiced. In 9th
er words, we believe that the la'
should be put back to just what il
terms specifically indicate. The la
was intended originally to apply onl
to departmental clerkships with sa
aries from $1,000 to $1,000 and lik
grades of clerical service in post-off
ces and custom houses. There is, W
believe, no just ground for the exteI
sions that have been made. In add
tion to this; appointments have bee
" made in violation Of law. Favoritt
d in lower grades have been promote
without examination, and have bee
appointed without entrance examin
tion. These fortunate people are IL
pets Of the men in power, and gene
ally of those who are the loudest
their praise of civil service reform.
shall not specify these cases at til
time, but the facts will be made know
ia congress. The result will be, v
think, to prevent the civil service hui
bug being coddled any further v
shall try to prevent the insertion Of
civil service plank in the next repu
lican national platform.
The best thing about Col Hende
sons remarkable triumph is that it h
left no hard feelings. Ex-Congrei
man southwick, of N. Y, one Of Re
resentative Sherman's closest frienC
who was in Washington this wee
said "Mr. Sherman accepts his deft
for the speakership with the utmC
philosophy, and isn't in the least Sc
- IL ....-... d. ..1...d l...... /.