The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1899-06-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(Fton Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, June 16, 1899.

The PRESIDENT and Mrs. Mchlnley loIt
Washington today for Holyoke, Mass,
where they 60 to see their niece, Miss
Barber, graduate. They expect to re-
main about ten days.
President Mckinley was not surprised
by the news Of heavy fighting in the
Philippines, although many others
were. 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 fighting-victory for
the Americans. The fighting this week
has not made the slightest change in
the plans of the War Department. Be.
fore the fighting started orders were
issued which will, when fully carried
out, give Gen. Otis force OF $1,000 reg
ulars, which will be 5000 more men
than he has at any time expressed an
opinion were necessary 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 active campaign, notwith.
standing the rainy season, necessity for
other orders may arise at any time.
Only one object is aimed at by the de-
partment-to put down the revolt at
the earliest possible moment.
The troublesome question of flag for
Cuban vessels that would secure them
protection in foreign ports, has been
satisfactorily solved, and the War De.
partment will issue orders that will en-
able Cuban vessels to fly the United
States flag above the coasting flag al
ready authorized. The combination Of
two flags will give notice to foreign au.
thorities that while tine vessel flying
them is not an American vessel it is un.
der American protection. The privilege
OF carrying the flag will confer no priv
ilege enjoyed by an American vessel 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 per.
mission 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 their be
none, with the consul of friendly ma.
ton. The article has been very care.
fully drawn by Attorney General Griggs.
Notwithstanding the claim by the
Philadelphia paper that published the
sensational interview with Prof. Haupt,
who was member of the Nicaraugs
Canal Commission, and is member of
the new Canal Commission, concerning
the methods of the opposition to pre-.
vent the construction of the Nicarauga
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 President
and the incident is closed, so
far as any official act is concerned.
Ex-Congressman Baker, of New
Hampshire, who is president of the
League of Republican Workers, which |
has been formed for the express purpose
of opposing any further extension of the
civil service rules, says he expects to
have some startling facts to present to
Congress next winter. Speaking of the
leauge and it's objects Mr.. Baker said
''We are opposed not only to the extern
sion of the civil service system, but also
to the interference with the law which |
has been practiced. In other words, we |
believe that the law should be put back |
to just what its terms specifically indi-
cate. The law was intended originally
to apply only to departmental clerk.
ships with salaries from 81 200 to 81 800
and like grades Of clerical service in
postoffices and custom houses. There
is, We believe, no just ground for the ex.
tensions that have been made. In ad.
dition to this appointments have been
made in violation of law. Favorites in
lower grades have been promoted with.
out examination, and have been ap-
pointed without entrance examination.
These fortunate people are the pets of
the men in power, and generally of those
who are loudest in their praise of civil
service reform. Ishall not specify these
cases at this time, but the facts will be
made known to Congress. The result
will be, we think, to prevent the civil
service humbug being coddled any
further. We shall try to prevent the
insertion OF civil service plank in the
next Republican National platform.
The best thing about Col. Henderson's
triumph is that it has left
no hard feelings. Ex-Cong ressman