The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-04-26

servitude, SO that is satisfactory to
those who find such labor a great |
cource of profit.
a Smothering Legislation.
The Republicans have general pro-
gram of smothering in committee ev-
erything which might embarrass them.
On this theory the Cour d'Alene inves-
tigation is being drawn out, in the
hope that if the military affairs COM
mittee reports at all it will be too late
for any extended discussion or definite
action.
The army and navy appropriation
bills are pretty we'll under way. They
ask altogether an appropriation Of
about $2OO,0O0,OOO for the fiscal year.
The administration is piling up the ex-
penses of militarism until they come
very close to the expenditures of the
great continental powers. There has
been some desultory talk of a reduc-
ton of war taxes. The Republican
leaders in congress plead want of time
in which to handle such a measure,
but the real reason Is that they do not
know where to begin looping off the
taxes. If they make reduction which
appeals to the popular mind they will
offend very important special interests
and vice versa. So on the whole it is
likely that the people will be permitted
to pay war taxes until they register
their opinion of that and several other
pisgss of administration policy at the
polls next November.
Gen. Otis Return.
1t is now definitely stated that Gen.
Otis is to return from the Philippines
at an early date. OF course he is not
Ordered home. He has merely been
notified that he had better return at
his earliest convenience. He will prob
ably be glad to drop the whole task
and let the new commission potter
around and theorize during the rainy
season. 1t is suggested at Washington
that the new commission is going to
the Philippines to investigate and ex-
plain what the former commission, of
which Admiral Dewey was a member,
poets that any commission will do any
thing of value. but it will furnish Nc
kinley with an excuse for making
campaign promises about the rainbow
tinted future of American imperialism
in the Philippines. The administration
is possessed with a comfortable delu-
sion that the voters of the country only
need to have it's Philippine policy
explained" and all will yet be WELL
AS matter of fact. there are indica-
tions that Washington is about the
only place in the country where the
administration policy is not thorough
ly understood and condemned And
the lack of understanding here is con-
fined to the administration and it's fol-
lowers in congress.
The sick list in the Philippines is
growing so rapidly that the sick SOL
diers are to be huddled like cattle on
board transports and sent home. The
hospital room is needed in Manila, and
it is now discovered that the two ex-
pensive hospital ships, Missouri and
Relief, are practically unseaworthy, so
the sick soldiers must take the long
joAney in actual discomfort if not all
solute privation.
Admiral Dewey's Candidacy.
Admiral Dewey's announcement of
his determination to be candidate for
president crystallized the vague fear
that had been noted in administration
circles for some time. Mckinley has
made SO many blunders that his op-
position in his own party is growing
formidable Dewey's announcement
spread such CONSERVATION in the adj
ministration ranks that the Republic
ans fastened to discredit and belittle
even his Manila exploit. They were so
afraid and anxious that they could not
confine their criticism to the admiral's
lack of political knowledge and his ev-
.dent ignorance Of the gravity of pend
ing political issues. The Democrats
met his announcement by reiterating
their intention to nominate Bryan.
Dewey could not possibly be the Dem
ocratic candidate, and the Democrats
could afford to give him full credit for
his great victory. His action did not
interfere with their plans. 1t is true
that Dewey says, 81 am Democrat of
the Cleveland type" That and his re-
port on the Philippine commission are
sufficient. In so far as he has any
political convictions he stands for i'm
perialism and militarism. It is said
that when he has made up his mind
on few other important issues he will
give out q statement Of his beliefs.
Outside OF the uneasiness caused in