Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1899-01-27
WASHINGTON LETTER,
tyron our Regular cOrrespOndent1

have pledges from sumcieh' huiiioei
of Senators-thirty.six is the number
to reject the treaty, if it is not
amended so as TO pledge this govern
ment against permanent retention OF
the Philippines, while its supporters
say they have votes enough pledged
to ratify the treaty, if they can get 1t
to 4 vote. 1t seems as though neither
side was entirely confident in its
claims. Senator Dayis is said to have
declined a proposition made by Sena
tor German, who Is leading the op
position, 10 set day for taking a
vote on tho treaty. Many believe
that the opposition is INDUCING in a
big bluff for the purpose of trying to
get a majority Of the Senate TO vote
for resolution, in advance OF the
vote on the treaty, declaring the
policy Of this government to be The
same towards the Philippines as to-
wards Cuba--merely to keep them
under military government until
they are capable of maintaining a
stable government of their own.
While many of the strongest support
ers of the treaty and of the admin
istration believe that it will be the
policy of the administration to allow
the Filipiuos the fullest extent of
self-government that they show them
selves capable of-even to absolute
independence--they do not regard it
as good policy to bind this govern
ment in advance; therefore, there is
little probability that such resolu-
ton will pass the Senate, and none
whatever that it could get through
the House. The treaty will either be
ratified or there will be an extra ses-
sion to ratify it.
The Senate passed the amended
Morgan Nicaragua Canal bill, Satur-
day afternoon, by vote OF As to 8.
Ifthe leaders of the House were so;
inclined, this bill could easily be pass
ed, hut the chances seem to be that
an entirely new bill will be reported
to the House, which would mean no
canal legislation at this session.
Tic trainers of the River and Har-
Dor ILL, which has been reported to
the House, are adopts in the division
of public ''pork." Thirty odd states
will share in the twelve and a half
millions appropriated by the bill
consequently votes will not be lack
ing.
For the first time this session the
House had what the old timers called
"fieid day. 1t was = sort OF run
ming discussion, winch, although nOmi-
nallv upon a bill allowing ship-build-
ing firm to sue in the court OF claims
for additional pay, 1t claims to be en-
titled to on contracts with the govern
ment, it really embraced about every
thing in sight. including the war, the
embalmed beef controversy, the Phil
ippines, the Treaty Of Peace, and
some spicy personalities. There were
five gentlemen who participated,
Growenor, of Ohio; Simpson, Of Kan
sas; Carmark, of Tenn; Bailey of Tex
As, and Lewis, of Washington, but
the star parts were played by the
first and last named. While the dis
cussion WAS going on, members OF
the House seemed TO enjoy the hits
made, regardless of who made them,
but as parti,anship figured largely,
they afterwards divided on political
lines in expressing opinion as to who
got the best of it. The speech of
Lewis was, however, genuine sur
prise to the House, and caused more
than one man, who had been previous
ly Indifferent, to express regret that
he will be lost to the House after
March 4th. Gen. GrosvenOr has for
many years been regarded as one of
the most dungeons men in Congress
to tackle in a running debate. That
man serving his first term could
even hold his own in scrap with him
is considered remarkable by old men,
ber,. Lewis certainly did that.
Senator Perkins has announced his
intention to obey the instructions of
the California legislature and vote for
the ratification of the treaty of peace,
because he believes nine-tenths of the
people of his state wish him to do 50,
while Senator White says he will re-
fuse 10 obey the instruction of the
legislature, because a majority of its
members are his political opponents,
and because he does not recognize
the right of legislatures to instruct
Senators In matters involving con-