The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1900-01-11
Washington Letter.

Washington, Jan. 8, 1900.
Senator Hoar's speech In favor of his
Philippine resolutions, while an able
argument from his point of view is more
likely to do harm than good. Only last
week Mr.. Hoar said: This terrible war
In the Philippines weighs upon me 80
heavily that I cannot sleep at night"
Yet, today he made speech, the only
possible effort of which will he to en-
courage the Filipinos to attempt to keep
up the revolt which is apparently totter-
ing upon its last legs, in the belief that
they have the sympathy and support OF
considerable number of influential Ameri-
cans. Regardless of ones opinion on the
Philippine question in the abstract, it
would seem that the proper attitude of
patriotic Americans 80 long as the Ameri-
can flag is being fired upon and brave
American soldiers killed is to support the
government In its efforts to bring about
peace, remembering the historic saying,
"My country; may it always be right,
but right or wrong, my country"
The president has intimated rather
strongly to senators of his party that he
would like to see them push the financial
bill to a vote as early as possible; con-
esquently the opponents of that measure
are to be allowed to do most of the talk
ing. It Is no easy job, however, to hurry
the senate, and there Is no probility that
any senator who wishes to make speech
on the bill, will be denied an opportunity
to do so. When the bill will be voted
upon Is matter of conjecture, but its op-
ponents say that they have no desire to
delay vote further than may be neces-
sary to put their objections to the measure
on record. For that reason, 1t Is thought
that the debate will not continue more
than four or five weeks. It Is conceded
by all that the bill will pass by large
majority, and that Senator Chandler's
bimetallic amendment will be defeated by
somewhat smaller majority.
The president has habit of getting in
formation from those who have been best
situated to acquire it. That is the prin-
cipal reason for the presence of Gen. Geo.
w. Davis, military governor of Porto
Rico, in Washington. This information
Is to be utilized In connection with legis-
lation for Porto Rico.
After voting by majority of one
against the seating of Mr.. Quay, the SEN
ate committee on elections took up the
charge of bribery against Senator Clark
of Montana, and listened to able argu-
ments of counsel on both sides, headed
by Ex-senator Edmunds against Senator
Clark, and Ex-senator Faulkner for Sem
ator Clark. This case is being savagely
fought on both sides, making it easy to
see that there is more personality than
politics in it. The report Of the commit
tee does not change the status of the
Quay case, as 1t has been practically GER
tain from the first that the majority re-
port would be adverse. The reports,
which will not be ready until the Clark
case is disposed Of, is likely to influence
some of the senators who are now In
doubt as to how they will vote, as they
will be able arguments for and against
Mr.. Quay's right to seat.
The senate committee on privileges and
elections has decided to report favorably
on the resolution prohibiting senators,
representatives and U. s. judges acting
in any diplomatic or consular capacity,
or In any way as the representative of an
executive officer of the government. The
special object of this resolution is to pre-
vent congressman acting as members OF
government commissions.
One American who went to Germany to
get married had to stay there four months
before he could get the necessary papers
from home, to comply with the German
marriage laws. AS warning to others
getting caught in the same box, the U. S.
commercial agent at Bamberg sent the
following list of the papers an American
citizen must have to get married in Ger,
many: Certificate showing American cit.
izenship; certificate from the authorities
of the state in which he resides, which
must be verified by the German ambassa
dor or German consul, that they know
of no legal reason why the marriage
should not take place; official certificate
of birth, certified by German officials; Il
the bride is a relative, proof that sucf
consanguinity Is no impediment to thu
marriage at his American home; If pre-
viously married, proof of wife's death o.
records of divorce, to be officially verified
by German consular officer in America
1t would seem that Americans, seeking
German brides, would save time ant
trouble by having them come over her
to get married.
The report Of the Roberts committe
will be made in few days. Roberts ar
gued his own case, intimating that he di'
so because of his inability to hire law
yers. His entire argument, which prob
ably did more harm than good, may b
briefly stated thus: l demand that seat
because the people who elected me to
represent the only authority recogniz
as having right to pass upon my quail
fications; the house which ordered tn
appointment of this committee is com
posed of a lot of chumps, who got STAN
peded by the shouting of women out @
whatever knowledge of constitutional la,
the hay mayve had.
At the present time there are be
| in W.
who are worth $1.OOO,OOO or more. II