The times., 1899-01-24
GENERAL WASIfINGTON
NEWS AND GOSSIP.

General Otis Objects to HARDIN
The President few days ago selected E.
Z. Hardin, Chicago newspaper man. to
De secretary OF the Philippine Commission.
hardin, 1t seems. was making a tour of
the world with another newspaper man
and happened to, be In the vicinity of Ma
Mia when Admiral Dewey made his de-
scent on that place. He remained there
Tor several months after Dewey's famous
victory and. naturally. wrote a great deal
OF matter to his home newspaper MIR.
Hardin evidently had made a favorable
impression on Mr.. Mckinley as he sent
for him TO come TO Washington to accept
the secretaryship OF the Philippine Com
mission. At the eleventh hour it was
suggested by some one that as a mere
tormality it might be a good idea to ask
Dewey and Otis what they thought of
Hardin for secretary of the Commission.
Accordingly cable was sent to both men.
Admiral Dewey replied, it is said, that
he had no objection TO Hardin. He would
be perfectly acceptable to him. General
Otis. however, stated in his answer that
he very strongly objected to Hardin; that
if he appeared in Manila he should feel
constrained to place him under arrest.
II was said yesterday that the President
had Cancelled Hardin's appointment. but
/
offered to General Otis objection to Hardin
is that the latter had the temerity to ques
tion the military ability of General Otis.
Newspaper correspondents who may have
occasion hereafter to visit Manila in the
discharge of their duty while Otis re-
mains in command as the military gov
ernor of the Philippines will do well to
report nothing but pleasant things about
the commanding officer. 1t is dangerous
to criticise an officer who is sensitive
as General Otis seems TO be. The position
OF secretary 10 the Philippine Commission
is quite a good thing, as it will pay So 200
year.
The Library Vacnncy.-Candidates
for the position of Librarian OF Congress,
made vacant by the death of John Russell
Young, are coming to the front every day.
Among the new names added to an already
quite lengthy list of applicants yesterday
were those of Murat Halstead and Henry
b. F. Macfarland. Mr.. Halstead, it is said,
Is likely TO become very formidable con-
testant for the position. He is from Mr..
Mckinley's own State and is understood
to have the backing Of the solid Republican
delegation from Ohio. Mr.. Halstead was
appointed Minister TO Germany by Presi-
dent Harrison but the Senate refused to
confirm his nomination on account of GER
about that august body Mr.. Halstead has
been an active editor and newspaper writer
for over forty years. and during that time
he has never hesitated to express his opin-
ions on public men and measures. 1t is
not surprising that such a man incurred
the enmity of thin skinned statesmen. On
file up in the War Department there is
lengthy document which bears this en-
dorsement In the handwriting of Secretary
min p,1
the conduct of the war John Sherman
is credited with being chiefly instrumental
in securing the rejection of Mr.. Halstead's
nomination for Minister to Germany. Mr..
Sherman is not pow in the Senate, and
with the active support of both Hanna and
Foraker, Halstead ought to pull through
provided the President decides TO make
him Mr. Youngs successor.
Excise Legislation in New York.
State Senator Raines. of New York, who
drew up the famous "Raines law which
is now in force in the Empire State. has
offered an amendment to his law which
promises to make more trouble for his
Republican friends. Raines proposed
amendment is designed to stop the sale of
liquors OF any description on Sunday in any
place, hotels, restaurants. and clubs not
excepted. II Mr.. Raines' amendment should
be passed and subsequently enforced not a
drop of whisky, wine. or beer would be
sold within the limits of the Empire
State from II o'clock midnight on Saturday
to II O'Clock midnight on Sunday. How
ever. it is apparent that the Republican
leaders in New York do not intend to stand
Tor Mr.. Raines' latest move. They say that
he has cost the Republican party enough
votes already by his efforts to regulate the
morals of the people OF the State by legis-
! lation. Governor Roosevelt is known to
| be against the new device of Raines to
make things pleasant for brewers and 9th
ers engaged in the liquor traffic. In the
campaign last fall Roosevelt said that he
favored modifying the existing excise law
so that reputable places where beer and
wine were sold might keep open for GER
tains hours on Sunday. When the Raines
amendment comes up a substitute will
probably be offered embodying the sugges-
tions made by Colonel Roosevelt in his
campaign speeches.
Prospects of the Peace Treaty.
The reports that are being circulated that
the situation in the Senate regarding the
status of the Peace Treaty have under
gone any material change within the past
few days are believed to be erroneous, and
! TO be inspired by the anti-expansionists.
ii mas been perfectly plain to everyone
from the beginning OF the present session
that the little band of expansionists
had 1t in their power to prevent the rati-
fcation of the Treaty at this session il
they so desired Under tine rules of the
Senate il would be a comparatively easy
matter for half dozen Senators to stave
OFF vote on the Treaty until after March
4. That they have made up their minds TO
do this is indicated by their actions How
ever, no one seriously questions that the
Treaty would be ratified If brought to
vote today. AS the matter stands an ex-
ira session of the Fifty-sixth Congress
seems inevitable. This is the view OF the
best informed members of the Administra-
inn,