The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-08-31
WASHINGTON.
From our Regular Correspondent.
Washington, Aug. 2S, 1900.

o. ~C1 'OVD'
Indications point to a new and dar-
ing act of imperialism on.the part of of
the administration in the near future.
The army Of sixty-odd thousand men,
which is being SO hurriedly prepared
tor the Philippines may be intended
for use elsewhere. There is talk-only
whispers as yet-inside administration
circles about arrangement to buy off
Agunaldo and his principal officers
and thus bring about an early peace
in the Philippines; and members of
the diplomatic corps have received
from more than one foreign govern.
ment, hints of an understanding be
Great Britain and the U. s., by which
the American army in the Philippines
and the strong British naval force in
the Asiatic waters may be used TO
back up joint demand made by the
United States and Great Britain con.
cerning the future government of
China. This matter has not gone far
enough to be publicly discussed, and
it may not do SO at all, but there are
numerous indications, not the least of
which is the sudden confidence in
administration circles that the Philip
pine war is almost over, pointing to
its probable correctness. Such
move would be imperialism, indeed.
The Republicans are evidently
weakening on their attempt to make
it appear that Col Bryan is losing
strength and prestige in the West
The evidence the other way is too
overwhelming for them. Hon. Mar
Gus A. Smith, long delegate in Con-
gress from Arizona, and who may re-
turn to public life as Senator after
Arizona becomes state, says of the
political outlook: "Col. Bryan's name
will be the only one before the
National Convention. He is even
stronger in the West than he was in
'o6. The Chicago platform will be
reaffirmed with additional planks
dealing with present issues. There
has been a revival of faith IN the
ability of the Democrats to win IN
1000, and men who thought two
months ago that the party had no
chance are now declaring that Bryan
can carry the country next year. My
own opinion is that he will be our
next President"
The whole power of the Post Office
Department and of the entire admin
istration will be used to prevent the
fourth. class postmasters securing any
legislation from Congress that will re-
suit in increasing their pay. AT the
last session of Congress one post
master-Mr. William H. Thomas
of La Grange, Mo.,-was discharged
for appearing in Washington in the
interest of the fourth. class postmasters
and for sending out circulars urging
them to organize for the purpose OF
securing an increase of pay; and
others are being notified of the exist
ence of rule prohibiting any postal
employee, under penalty of dismissal,
appearing in Washington to advocate
Congressional legislation of any sort,
The report that the 10000 fourth
class postmssters in the country are
chipping in to employ lobbyists to
work for them before Congress is
worrying Postmaster General Smith,
because he cannot prevent their do
ing so. He says, however, that he
can block any legislation by showing
Congress what large sum of money
it would cost to even slightly raise the
pay of fourth class postmasters, but he
admits that if this class of Fedora
employees act together and bring then
friends influence to bear upon Senat
ors and Representatives it will bt
hard to beat them. He really relies
more upon bluffing many of them ou
of joining the National League o
Fourth. Glass Postmasters than upor
any other method of defeating them
Although there has been no doub
on the subject for some time, mem
bers of the administration felt greatl
relieved when they knew that Ex-Cza
Reeds resignation as member OF tn
House had been received and accept
ed by the Gov. of Maine. The ac
minlstration is expecting some har
Shedding in Congress this winter, an
upon several important matters Nj
Reed is known to oppose Mr.. Nj
Kinley's policy; hence the relief