The times., 1899-03-19
GENERAL WASHINGTON
NEWS AND GOSSIP.

Dewey's cabegram announcing the safe
arrival of the battIeship Oregon at Manila
is almost as ambiguous as his dispatch
asking that the Oregon be sent to him for
political reasons" Admiral Dewey states
that the Oregon has arrived and is in
mt condition for any duty. The Navy De-
partment undertook to explain Admiral
Dewey's dispatch calling for the Oregon
for political reasons by saying that he
was anxious to have suitable ship on
hand in which to receive the Commission
ers appointed by the President to investi-
gate the Philippine proposition. This ex-
PLANTATION was regarded as being very thin
at the time Ii was given out. Admiral
Dewey's latest dispatch confirms this i'm
preston. The situation in the Philippines
is believed to be more serious than has
been generally reported. The censorship
over the press and other dispatches from
Manila is known to be most rigorous.
Nothing can be sent from that place by
wire that does not first receive the ap-
proval of the censor. II is therefore taken
for granted by the initiated that the real
, truth regarding the situation in Manila has
been suppressed by the Administration.
The question that good many people are
asking in this connection Is, how much has
been kept back? The people are entitled
to know all the facts and there is no good
d
withheld. Admiral Dewey has given evil
dence of his capacity to handle difficult
and trying situation. He has also shown
that he is not a man to fly OFF at tangent
or make false move. When he telegraph
ed for the Oregon it is safe to say that he
did not do 1t for amusement or for any
trivial reason. He no doubt had some
definite object in view, which will be dis
closed in due season. Naval officers yester-
day construed Admiral Deweys dispatch,
announcing the safe arrival of the Ore
gon, fit for any duty, as implying some-
thing more than was contained in his mes
sage. They are looking for some important
developments in the vicinity OF Manila in
the near future. Whether there will be
International complications which will in
volve this country in serious quarrel re-
mains to be seen. All bands, however, will
| rejoice that the Oregon has reached Ma
| Mia and is ready for any emergency that
may arise
The Question of Representations
Before the Fifty-ffth Congress adjourned
bill was introduced In the House Of Rep
resentatives providing for the collection
OF statistics as to voting rights. to be
collected as apart of the national census
OF 1900. The purpose Of the measure was
to obtain a basis for dealing with the
I
franchise by practically shutting out the
negroes
The national census of 1890 enumerated
| in the United States 6,940, 600 male in
| habitants of voting age, of whom 152, 900
were residents of the Territories iuclud-
ing the District of Columbia; 1,150 900 were
excluded from the franchise as unnatural
lied foreign male residents of the United
States" and $4,000 whose period of natu-
ralization had begun but was not COM
pleted. Besides these must be excluded
criminals convicted of felonies the in
sane, and the idiotic. and those who lose
their citizenship by accepting State aid
in almshouses and other similar institu-
tons. The estimated number of voters in
the United States in 1890 was about
10000 900 At the Presidential election of
1896 the total vote cast in the country was
only 1900, co., or 1000, 900 less than the
estimated number of legal voters. In view
OF the facts OF the constant increase of
population and that the ratio of alien
voters Is diminishing, the actual falling
OF six years after the census of 1890 must
have been greater.
The bill providing for the collection of
statistics as to voting rights which was
| introduced by Representative Crumpacker
OF Indiana, did not become a law, but it
is understood that Director Merriam will
| make preparations TO carry out its pro-
the next session of Congress.
II there should be a readjustment of
representation by reducing the member
ship of the Southern States, 1t would affect
seriously South Carolina, Mississippi. and
louisiana and most of the States South of
Mason and Dixon's line. An equitable set
tlement of the question is made difficult
by complications, but it is the fixed pur-
pose of the Republican leaders to keep
up the agitation for change until they
accomplish their object Whatever is
done, however. will not affect the voting
| power of the respective States in the Presi-
Dental election of 1900.
Kentucky POIitics.-Former Senator
| 7. c. S. Blackburn will leave for Kentucky
| in few days 1t is stated to take charge
of the Democratic end of the campaign in
| that State. A Governor is to be elected in
| the Blue Grass State next autumn; also a
! legislature which will elect a successor to
| Senator Lindsay. Mr.. Blaekburns friends
| believe that he will be Senator Lndsay's
| successor, provided the legislature is Dem
| ocratc- There is practically no rival can
| didate to Blackburn among the Democrats.
! Senator Lindsay, however, is said to be
| anxious to succeed himself. He belongs to
the gold-bug boiling Democrats. and hopes
| to secure, Ii Is understood the support of
| the Republicans. Blackburn is keeping out
of the gubernatorial fight but the indica-
| tions point to the nomination of Hardin
| by the Democrats. Mr. Blackburn said
yesterday that he was willing to stake his
| life that Kentucky would go Democratic
next fall.