The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-09
GOSSIP FROM WASHINGTON.
MINISTER WI HAS LEARNED now
TO WHISTLE.

Called His COachmnn and Roundiy
Bernted Him in Good Anglo-ShNon'
How He Catches on to American
Customs-Scnator Aldrich's Amend
nIent TO the Financial BiII-Bepub-
Ucans Feared There Would he De-
sertions From Their Ranks.
Washington. Feb. S.-A distinguished
looking Chiuaman. clad in flowing silk
robes of somber color with long olive
green satin cloak trimmed with Russian
sable. his fect wrapped in immaculate
chtcsecloth incascd in black satin cork
soied slippers, his head covered with
black satin turban. with a huge diamond
in the center and a bright scarlet silk but
ton on top indicating that the wearer be
Ionged 10 the order known in China as the
Mandarin of the Red" descended the
steps of fashionable residence yesterday
afternoon and stood on the Sidewalk for
a few minutes anxiously looking up and
down The street in search of his carriage.
1t was congressional day and the Chi
naman had been making "a round of aft
ernoon calls on the families of representa-
tives in Congress Ills gaudy attire, which
always attracts more or less attention
wherever he gocs, caused several passers
by TO observe that the representative of
the Orient was more agitated than usual.
He peorcd through his large god-rmmed
glasses. closely inspecting the private car
riages which lined both sides of the street.
Suddenly adopting The style OF the aver
age American schooboy or street arab.
he inserted one finger of each hand in his
mouth and gave q series of shrill whistles
which finally reached the ears Of his
coaehmen and announced to the latter that
his master was impauently waiting 20 be
conveyed TO the next place on his visiting
list.
In plain Anglo-Saxon the master berat-
ed his servant for keeping him so long
waiting, then entered his carriage and
was driven away The Saily attired whis
tier was Minister Wa of the Chinese lega-
ton This is said to have been Minister
Wu's first public exhibition of his whistng
abilities acquired 10y frequent association
with the small boys residing in the vicin-
iIy of the Chinese legation. His aptness
in catching on TO American mannerisms is
regarded as phenomenal and it is said that
on several occasions in select companies
he has even ventured to indulge in the
ever-popular cake walk.
Atdrtch'S Amendment.
Advocates of free silver ana international
bimetallism are attaching more than ordi-
nary significance 10 the apparently limo
cent looking amendment introduced by
Senator Aldrich 10 the financial bin now
pending in the Senate. In substance the
amendment provides that nothing in the
bill shall be construed to prevent further
negotiations towards securing internal
tional bmetalhsm provided satisfactory
on he Cubifpt ha reached
by all the leading nations of the world.
Special importance it attached to the
amendment because it was presented by
Senator Aldrch chairman of the Commit
tee on Finance, the leader of the RepuD-
lican Steering Committee. The friends of
free silver claim that the time APP
proaches for taking the final vote on the
bill Senator Aldrch has discovered that
he lacked a sufficient number of votes to
pass the bill.
Becoming alarmed by threats of deser-
zion from the Republican ranks by sem
ators like Wolcott of Colorado, Chandler
of New Hamps hire and others, who for
political reasons are supposed TO entertain
a friendly regard for bmetasm, he was
Obliged 10 make certain concessions to
those gentlemen, in order to hold them in
line and secure their support of the pend
ing measure on the final roll cali Sen
ator Jones, chairman of the Democratic
National Committee and his followers are
highly elated at what they claim TO be
WaVering in the Republican forces to
throw a few crumbs to the starving BIZ
metalhsts in his party to save the financial
policy of the admins ira ton from probable
defeat.
In explanation of his somewhat belated
and carefully worded amendment Senator
Aldrich says there is nothing remarkable
about ii. nor is he willing to admit that
there is anything comforting in it TO the
free silver party. lie claims that the
proposition relative to further negotiations
in the direction of bimetalism IS in
direct line with the financial policy
of the Republican party and is but re-
affirmation of the position on that sub
ject held by the Republicans in the last
national compaign and in harmony with
the policy of the present administration
He asserts confidently that when the final
vote is taken in the Senate on the 18th
instant the bill will receive a substantial
majority.
Notwithstanding the conflicting de-
clarations on the subject it is asserted
that the friends of the administration
after careful counting of noses were I'M
certain as to the fate of the bill There
fore, as a precautionary measure Sena-
tor Aldrieh was instructed by his party
TO put forward what is regarded as prac-
tically meaningless proposition which
will enable certain Senators to respond
to the crack of the party whip and at the
same time satisfy themselves and their
constituents that they have not entire
~ abandoned their financial convictions.
e-a-s
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