The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-01-05
Washington Letter.
From our regular correspondent !

White House, owing to the absence of
children. The President and Mrs. Nc
Kinley had Mr.. and Mrs. Abner Nc
Kinley and two OF their nieces for
guests, and few personal friends
were entertained at family dinner
party. One of the things that added
to the Presidents Christmas enjoyment
was cablegram from Gen. Otis an
nouncing that the ports of Luzon
would be opened to commerce on the
lst of January. Nothing could have
more forcibly told the improved con-
ditions in the Philippines than this
official announcement of Gen. Otis.
1t means that the rebels are no longer
strong enough to interfere with COM
merce, and that the peacably inclined
residents of the islands have resumed
their ordinary avocations. Army
officers are much pleased with the
prompt response to the appeal for
funds for the widow and children of
the late Gen. Lawton. More than
VII 700 has already been received for
the fund. 1t is also pleasing to Off
GERS that Mrs. Lawton has chosen Arl-
ingtou as the final resting place of the
remains of Gen. Lawton. While this
sort OF thing is gratifying to every pa
triotlc American, it means more to
army officers, who devote their time
and willingly give their lives to the
service of the country, thar to others
1t is an assurance to them that the
country appreciates their bravery and
devotions.
President Mckinley has positively
promised Senator Perkins that he will,
unless prevented by official duties, ac-
company the California delegation in
Congress, to San Francisco to witness
the launching of the battleship Ohio
which is being built in that city and
will be ready for launching in Septem-
ber or October next.
The Navy Department intends to
establish school for studying and ex-
perimenting with wireless telegraphy
without regard to the system of Mar
conf, who charged $4,000 down and
$l0O year for the use of twenty
sets OF his Instruments for sending
and receiving messages. Naval officers
consider his charges out of all propor-
ton with the value of such portions of
his apparatus as were covered by pat
ent, and that it would be better as
we'll as more economical for the gov
ernment to go ahead on its own hook.
This is on all fours with common
sense, as Marconi's system is far from
perfect at this time.
New York is fortunate in having
Two men, either Of whom would be per-
fectly acceptable to the republican
leaders as the nominee tor Vice Presi-
dent on the ticket with President
Mckinley. Those two men are SecIe-
tary Root and ex-Secretary Bliss, both
Of whom have proved their ability as
members OF President McKinley's Cab
met. Secretary Root had the advant-
age of being aforementioned for the
place at the recent meeting OF the Re-
publican National Committee. but
since Mr.. Bliss has been mentioned,
the opinion is practically unanimous
among prominent republicans in
Washington, including Senator Hanna
who had previously expressed prefer
ence for Secretary Root, that either of .
them, presented to the Philadelphia
Convention by the New York delega-
ton could be nominated by acclima-
tion as President Mckinley will be.
1t is the settled purpose of the republi-
can leaders to have the Vice President
nominated by acclimation, and the
New York Delegation has only to act
as unit to secure the nomination of
either of the gentlemen named.
A subcommittee remained in Wash
lngton to take the testimony of addi-
tional witnesses, summoned from Utah
in the Roberts case, but so far, the ex-
pected witnesses have not reported.
The polygamy of Roberts is regarded
as having been fully proven by wit
nesses already heard, and the expecta-
ton is that the Committee will make
its report to the House within week
Of the reassembling of Congress and
that it will be against Roberts.
The populist are preparing to head
off the democratic movement, led by
Ex-senator German, to prevent the
nomination OF Mr.. Bryan, by holding
National convention ahead of the
democratic convention, and nominat-
ing Mr.. Bryan. The so-called silver
republicans are cooperating with the
populIsts in this move.