Crawford avalanche., 1899-04-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.


Speaker Reeds announcement OF
bis intention N retire fr0m Congress
and become u member Of New York
law nrm is bcing discussed with the
greatest interest In Washington,
both by Republicans and Democrats.
No man ever left deeper personal
impression upon the legislation Of
the country than he has done during
his several terms as Speaker OF the
House, and IL was conceded that he
could have been reelected Speaker
OF the present House, aud, indeed, OF
every House that had Re publican
majority rs long as he remained In
Congress. IL Is not surprising that
he should have accepted the guaran-
tee OF $50. 300 year offered him by
the law flrm of which he Is to become
the head. after short trip to Europe.
Few men of limited means would
have declined such an offer. His re-
tirement will mark the beginning OF
very interesting contest for the
Speakership of the House. There
are at least dozen Republican men,
bers Of the House who are fully quail
lied to oil the position, and whose
services to the party make them
worthy OF being giveu the honor.
While 1t Is not likely that President
Mckinley will take any active part
in this contest, his knowledge Of the
capacity Of each mar who will be a
a candidate, and the fact that all
Republicans wish the position filed
by man who will be in accord with
the administration, is likely to make
bis advice sought by members before
committing themselves, and the man
who is favored by him, will probably
| lie the next Speaker. Who he will
be is probably not positively known
at this time by the President
himself.
Senator Hayward, of Nebraska. the
gold Republican, who succeeded the
dem. pop. Allen, whose term expired
with the last Congress, ia In Wash
ington. When asked his opinion of
the political outlook, Senator Hay
ward replied: $50 far as lean see the
outlook 10 good for the Republicans
to remain In power. President Nc
Kinley's administration Is we'll liked
by the people generally. The Denl-
ocrats may try to make some capital
out of the expansion policy, so-called,
but 1t isn't going to aid them much.
I know very few expansionists, pure
and simple, and there is nobody sug-
gesting that we reach out and take
territory here and there over the
globe. The Philippine question is a
practical one we have the islands on
our hands, and for the present, at
least, will hold them" Senator
Hayward expressed the opinion that
the Republicans would carry Ne
braska next year, but added that II
would require a lot of hard work.
A number OF important diplomatic
appointments were made this week,
among them being that Of Ex-GOv.
Lord, of Oregon, TO be Minister to
Persia, to flll the vacancy made by
the resignation of Hon. w. w. Rock
hill, and that of Hon. John N. Irwin,
OF Iowa, to be Miuister to Portugal,
In place of Hon. Lawrence Townsend,
who was transferred to Belgium, to
succeed Hon. Bellany Storer, who
has been chosen for our new Span.
nish Ambassador.
How great the authority the Sa-
moan Commission, the members OF
which are now on their way to San
Francisco, where the United States
Badger is waiting to carry them di.
rect to Apia, and to serve as their
headquarters during their stay, IL
clothed with by the governments OF
the United States, Great Britain and
Germany, may be judged by the fol
flowing remarks made by Hon. Bart
lett Trip, the American Commits
sioner, just before he left Washing
ton: "From the moment we land tbs
government Of the Consul Genera
ceases, and we supersede all formel
authority. Our DEGREES will be tn,
supreme law of the island" Tn,
three Commissioners must unani
mously agree upon every thing the!
do; that is practically the only limi
to their authority, except that the.
may not suspend the Berlin treaty
But they can; II they think proper
recommend to their respective gov
ernments, that the treaty be amend
ed or suspended. No doubt what
ever is felt in Washington that tn
, commission will successfully accom-
plish the duty imposed upon IL, AM
that It will make report that will
cause the punishment of those VIII