Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-11-10


the American PoIysamous Annex-Prosress
of Already Counting on Hobart's
Death for Advancing Political Jobs.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 1899.
Mr.. Mckinley has played his last
card in his effort to prevent Ohio GO
ing Democratic, and he is 10y no
means confident of its winning.
Finding that the Philippine CommIs-
sion was not likely to get out its pre-
liminary report, on the hints given to
its members, in time to influence the
voters, he sent for the members to
come to the White House, and told
them in person to get up prelimi-
nary report at once. The Commits
sioners had not been out of the White
House an hour before the press was
furnished semi-ofiicially with a state
mcnt saying that this preliminary re-
port would be a thorough endorse
ment of the administration Philip
pine policy from to and that it
would recommend the permanent
retention of the Philippines by the
United States. In short, the Philip
pine Commission is going to report
what Mr.. Mckinley wishes them to re-
pOrt-what he and members of his adj
minis,ration have been talking for
weeks. Yet, he imagines that this re-
port is going to influence public opin-
ion sufficiently to stop the alarming
increase of adverse criticism of his
Philippine policy. He will know bet
ter by and by. Men who draw big
salaries for small work may be willing
to have their opinions made for them,
but the people at large, who are under
no obligations to the administration,
have habit of doing their own think
ing.
Another striking proof OF the love of
the Republican party for the "dear
working people" has just been given
by the administration. The War De-
partment has issued an order discon-
tinuing the making Of uniforms in
this country, for the soldiers in the
Philippines, thus depriving many de-
serving persons of needed work. And
before they were warned to keep mum,
officers of the Quartermaster Generals
Office have told why-simply because
the uniforms can be made cheaper in
Hong Kong, where Chinese cheap
labor can be had. than in the United
States. But Republican stump speak
ers will SO right along talking about
saving their hearers from the COMPETE
ton OF foreign "pauper labor"
The administration has been so
much worried by the wide publication
of its official recognition of polygamy
and slavery, under the American flag,
by its treaty with the Sultan of the
Sulu islands, which are a portion of
the Philippine group, that Prof
Schurman, president OF the Philippine
Commission, was asked-perhaps Or
dered would be nearer correct--to
make . statement in defense of the
administration. He made state
ment, which was an excuse rather
than defense. He admitted that
treaty had been made with the Sultan
which would allow a continuation Of
both polygsmy and slavery, but said
in excuse therefor that this govern
ment had TO do it, because Spain did
1t, or else to engage in bloody war
with the natives under the Sultan's
rule. In other words, Prof. Schur-
mans intended-to-be friendly state
ment Of facts agrees with the strongest
statement made by those who have
criticised the administration for sane.
tioning such a treaty.
The conversation of q party of gen.
tlemen. in q Washington hotel, turned
to municipal socialism, which one OF
them-a New Northumberland had
been making rapid etrides during the
last five years without attracting
much attention. He said: "Who
would have thought even twenty
years ago that American municipali-
ties would be furnishing free musical
entertainment to the townspeOple?
Had anyone a quarter Of II century
ago predicted that the public funds
would be used to give free baths to
urban residents, the prophecy would
have been laughed to scorn. Yet we
see many cities that have free baths
as an established institution, and pub.
lie sentiment is favorable to the pol
icy. The point make is that, hav-
ing gone so far. the tendency cannot
be checked, and what will be the re-
suit by the middle Of the next CEN
fury no man can say. will hazard a
guess that not many decades will 60
by ere in most cities OF the United
States you will find public bakery,
run by the municipal government,
which will supply bread to the people
at actual cost. If any man thinks
that silly statement, let him revert
to the baths and music, now furnished
by many cities, neither of which is as
essential as bread"
Because Admiral Dewey is shortly
TO marry a sister OF Mr.. John r. Nc
Lean, some men have taken to having
some wonderful political visions.
| A"Oh wv NV UlIA
and politics, and there isn't the slight
est reason to suppose that Admiral
Dewey will do so.
The announcement that Mr.. Ho-
bart's death was only question of
time brought Boss Plat flying to
Washington. He came ostensi6ly in
connection with his fight against the
architect chosen by Secretary Gage to
draw the plans for the New York Gus
tom House-Platt wants one of the
strikers to have the job-but it is
known that he laid a number Of wires
in connection with his scheme to get
"Teddy" Roosevelt out of New York
politics by making him the candidate
for Vice President on the Mckinley
ticket. He had heard about the move