The times., 1899-02-12
GENERhL- WASHINGTON
NEWS AND GOSSIP.


ifornia, are still wrestling with senatorial
contests. The control of the next Senate,
however, will not depend upon the outcome
of the fights in these States. The Repub-
licans have already an assured majority in
the United States Senate after March 4.
But it is said that the President and the
Republican leaders generally are concerned
over the senatorial deadlocks on account Of
the bearing they may have on the Presi-
Dental battle next year. The bad blood
engendered may lose to the Republicans
several States that have been counted as
sure to give their electoral votes to the
nominees Of the Republican National Con-
vention. Senator Hanna, 1t Is understood,
believes that the Presidential fight next
year is likely to be very close, and that
Republicans cannot afford to throw away
any votes. They will need every one that
they can get, in his opinion, to re-elect
Mr.. Mckinley. Up to date the Administra-
tion has not, it is said, taken any hand
directly in any of the five remaining SEN
atorial contests, but it is intimated that it
may decide to do so before many days
elapse, as il is regarded as highly desira-
BILE to have them settled and out OF the
way. modern senatorial deadlock is q
fruitful source of scandal. Anti-monopoiy,
as an issue, is likely to figure conspicuous
ly in the campaign next year. The fact
that the majority of the men the Repub
licans have elected to the Senate this win
ter belong to the millionaire class, may be
made use of as an effective campaign ar
gument against their party. The Repub
licans realize this. and would like to fore
stall 1t II possible and break its force.
They point to the election Of Clark. DEM
ocrat, in Montana, as an offset, but Mr..
Clark was elected by Republican votes. If
the Administration exert its influence to
end the existing senatorial deadlocks some
rather surprising results are anticipated.
Gray may be elected in Delaware and Al
len in Nebraska. Neither is Republican,
but they both voted TO ratify the Peace
Treaty. and the Administration is under
stood to be grateful to them on that ac-
count. The outlook for Quay in Pennsyl-
vania is far from bright. If he should
withdraw in the interest of Republican
harmony the Administration might find a
comfortable berth for him in connection
with the government of our new colonial
possessions. The Republican leaders are
not taking much note of the senatorial
struggle in Utah, as there is no chance for
the election of a member of their party.
The California situation, however. is quite
another matter. The scandal already de-
veloped over the fight in that State prom
ises TO turn California over to the Demo-
Gratis next year. Young Buck" Grant
seems to hold the key to the situation, and
he is vain and rich enough to make a very
troublesome person to deal with. Nothing
short of Cabinet place or high diplomatic
position would, 1t is believed, induce
young Grant to pull out of the contest.
Il
A Montana View of Standardized
Clark.-"The recent senatorial election in
Montana" said Representative Charles s.
Hartman, of that State, yesterday, was
the most disgraceful proceeding that ever
happened in American politics. do not
know whether Mr.. Clark will be permitted
but II he is ii will be an outrage and the
establishing Of a most dangerous prece-
dent. Some honor is attached to a seat
in either House of Congress II it come to
man in the proper way. but there is no
honor connected with Clark's election. 1t
is estimated, and / believe that the esti-
mate is under rather than over the actual
figures, that Clarkss election cost him in
one way or another over 100000 Think
of 1t for a rnoment-almost a million dol
lars! Where is this sort OF thing going
(
to receive very serious consideration.
IAN of the estimates of Mr.. Clark g
wealth that l have seen published in the
newspapers OF the East have been wide
of the mark. He is really one of the
richest men in the United States. have
been looking the matter up little. Mr..
Clark's fortune exceeds that of the COM
bined wealth OF every Senator and Repre-
sentative in the Fifty-sixth Congress and
oh hay aI cd
to the Senate this winter. Mr.. Clark is
worth easily over $4,000, 600. He will be
| able to buy and sell every one of his asso-
ciates. OF course that fact Of itself is no
reason why he should be kept out of the
Senate, but the methods used TO secure his
election ought to make it impossible for
1 him 10 occupy a seat in the highest legis-
lative body in this country. The charges
against Mr. Clark are not mere idle gossip.
| They are based on cold, hard facts that are
! known from one end of Montana 10 the
/ other; facts that can be substantiated,
| believe, by competent testimony"
Our Status In the Philippines
| The question of the exact status of the
United States in the Philippines is receiv-
ing great deal of attention in government
tai and other circles. The governmental
!
the technical title of ownership, and viii
continue to do so until the Peace Treaty
has been ratified at Madrid Then the
Philippines will come under the iurisdic-
tiou of the United States. In the mean
time the United States holds the actua
possession under the terms of the proto
col, but the title will not rest" until th'
Treaty has been ratified by both parties
Oh. hold f.pt
recognition of the change until that time.
AS soon as the Peace Treaty is ratified
every soldier who enlisted for the war, il
both regulars and volunteers, will have
| right to demand his discharge. Should al
| Join in the request it would have the eff
feet of reducing our army to its former
peace basis of about 25,000 men, making
| IL utterly unable to cope with present con.
ditions in the Philippines, Cuba, and Por'
| to Rico. On this account the fate of tbs
reorganization bill in the Senate /!
watched with anxious interest. The Ad
ministration is bending every effort TOWARD
the passage of the bill, go that the Presi
dent can, in an emergency, have 10000
| soldiers at his command.
Politics in OhiO.-In the press of othe
matters the political fight that is going OF
out In the Presidents State Of Ohio has
perhaps, been overlooked for the time be
ing by the majority of people. The con
test, however, is getting warm and is likel,
to assume a national character. On tn
Republican side the struggle is between tn
Hanna and Foraker factions to control tn
coming State convention, which will nomi
nate a candidate for Governor. Senate
Foraker appears to be leading his colleagu
in the election Of delegates. and his friend
are quite elated.1 However, Mr.. Hanna ha
yet time to get in his work as the conven