The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-18
SOME VIEWS AT WASHINGTON.
tBY @. A. EpwARps.l

VI me fost the fact that they read the
announcement that Joe Wheeler was
slated for the Philippines about two weeks
before the balance OF the country knew
anything about II. ! got that story from
a friend OF General Wheeler who saw the
telegram from Alger to Wheeler telling
to prepare to go to the Philippines. He
was told by General Wheeler not to EEL
any one OF the telegram. Well, he did not
tell any one but me, and I scooped the
great earth on the story. The Associated
Press and the other correspondents here
who were the scopes, tried for two weeks
TO throw down the story as not worthy
OF credence. They were ably assisted by
General Wheeler and Secretary Alger, who
were DESTROYS of keeping the fact dark In
order, as / said in my dispatch, not to
arouse the ire and the resentment of the
officers OF the regular army. was given
the horse laugh" by the many corre-
spondents here who had not the same in
side information that I possessed and &C
cused of sending my paper what is termed
here "rannacaboo' story. said moth
irg. but continued to pile up large gobs of
sawdust. HE laughs best who laughs
last" and I am just now doing my best
to keep UP Texas reputation for doing 4
first class job OF uproarlous and hilarious
laughing. A few Of my esteemed con-
temporares are now suffering with bad
case of the dry grins. / am not Growing.
am merely stating a fact.
~
AS to General Wheeler. Ever since the
hostlities began over in the Philippines
1t has been the dream of General Wheeer's
life to go over there and win a star or a
crown in the New Jerusalem. He has re-
peatedly advised curious world that he
was awaiting orders. He was awaiting
the pleasure OF his commander in chief.
That eminent person is willy politician,
the head of the administration. and aspir
Ing to succeed himself. He is using all
means he conceives may avail to that end.
Thus has he been using General Wheeler.
1t is obvious that President Mckinley,
the commander in chief and clever poll
tician that he is, finding General Wheeler |
most carefully obedient subordinate and
convenient instrument for an important
service-the promotion of the popularity |
of the administraton-has diligently en-
ployed this well known democrat, this |
widely honored ex-Confederate general, |
and proved him eminently and peculiarly |
useful Hence the delay in sending the |
general to the front. Does it need any ex-
elusive power of perception to discern this |
color of the situation between President
Mckinley and General Wheeler?
~
1t Is not the first time that simplicity |
innocence and amiability have been ma
,ipula;ed In the cause of ambitious enter
prise. OF course, the general ltched and |
fidgeted to go where glory waits him over
the ocean, up tree, perchance. ard where
the martial Spirit and proves of the times
will demonstrate that bombshclls are bet
ter thar Bibles to ciylizo barbarians but /
he is so beguilng curiosity 10 this re-
enjoyed the electrif;ing spectacle of the
exhibition of hts far famed gaits and
PAGES which, as Bill Sterrett says, ,e-
mind one mere of teter- backed snipe than
anything else on earth, that any competent
professor of chair of politics would deem
Mr. McKinley-from the Mckinley stand
point-as quite justifable in playing the
general for a good card. Be this as it
may, While the little general has made
some WEAKNESS among democrats while
playing his role of tail to McKinleys kite
jos Wheelers rectitude Of purpose is to
all who know him as patent and unfegned
as the vital springs of his mercurial mani
fcslations Even Joe Bailey that ever
impressive and puissant advocate OF or
ganic principle, to the contrary. General
Joseph Wheeler Just simply constitution !
ally can't help It, Grim-visaged war is to
him the cutest thing on earth. Were he
a citizen OF France, although his gentle
nature would not permit him to cry "a
bas!" at ANYBODY, however obnoxious. he
would surely be found in the van of those
who shout "Vive rArmee!"
~
Now that 1t is settled that General
Wheeler is 10 so to the Philippines. those
who have felt most personal concern as to
his future, particularly for the next twelve
months or so. will have time to breathe
and reflect 1t Is believed now by the {
be home by the opening of congress, next
December, provided there is no extra ses
sion and be ready to dive into the mael
strom of politics. To be sure, this means
{ the Tagals, Igrottes. or other fuzzy
wuzzies. don't shoot him full Of Mauser
bullets and poisoned arrows; or the indig J
let catch the general up one of their trees
and hold him as hostage for deficit
In cocoanuts, extended to repel an auda
rious invasion. There is some talk that /,
the general will run for governor OF Ala /,
bama when he returns with new laurels.
II he does fear me sore that he Will ]
ind somewhat of chilly welcome among q
the good old democratic folk of Alabama |
hose people who have been taught by !
he general himself. to regard with sus- +
picion any man or set of men who walk :
III the constitution and who pull chest /
nuts out of the fire for an administration I
hat is known worldwide as the defender 1
of trusts and combinations which Cypress q
he people and eat up their substance. For q
MS own sake | sincerely hope that the a
rouble in the Philippines will soon be over Q
md that the little general Will return un- s
'cathed. get out of politics forever and a
hen live TO a green old age to enjoy tho
anne he has earned as both soldier and
statesman.
The democrats here are now hoping that !
he republicans are not making four 0
lush when they say they will put the gold
Int .