The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-23
Capital. Chat.
Washington Gossip, Political and
Otherwise, for the Readers
Of the Globe.

WASHINGTON, Feb %. Especially -
The assurance from Mr.. German that
Col. Bryan Is ispchofce to head the ma
tional Democratic ticket this year means
that there is nothing sin the talk about
Richard Olney, and that the former sec
Ietary of state will not cut any figure in
opposition to the Nebraskan. An effort
has been made by some Of the Eastern
men to bring to the front Mr.. Olney for
the Democratic presidential nomination,
but the launching Of his boom has not
created any enthusiasm even in his own
state, so therefore there will not be any
opposition to Mr. Bryan's candidacy In
any section of the country. He will be
nominated and will be in a position, at
least his friendsqso think, to give Maj.
Mckinley contest at the polls next No
yember. @.5
Speaking of former Senator German re-
minds the writer Of the fact that he has
regained his health. and by no means in
tends to be a nonentity in political or
official life. 1t Is said that this shrewd
Marylander is laying his plans to come
back to the senate in place of Mr.. Wei
lington. There will be some opposition to
Germans return to the senate and this
will come from a man whom the former
senator has benefited. advised and pro-
NOTED In politics and in an official way
The man referred to is no less person
than the present governor of Maryland
The latter, 1t is said, has a desire to pro-
mote his candidacy for the senatorship,
but Mr. Germans friends in this city and
in Maryland are perfectly satisfied that
he will be able to manipulate the politics
of Maryland so that the legislature which
will select Mr.. Wellington's successor Will
tender him the senatorship, and without
doubt he will accept it.
Legislation affecting Puerto Rico is
still under discussion in the house.
AS the Republicans are divided, and as
many of the members of the lower house
do not agree with the presidents position
regarding the so-called free trade clause
In this measure, exciting times at the
finish are anticipated by Republican lieu
tenants Of the administration and by
those who associate with Speaker Hen
derson, supposed to be favorable to the
presidents plans. 1t is presumed tnat
the ''whippers-in" on the Republican side
will at the close be able to bring into line
the Republican Insurgents who are OPP
posed to the legislation advanced Tor
Puerto Rico. Assthe bill will probably De
passed by the hbuse 1t will not be sat
isfactory to the senate. In this branch Of
torn into shreds. If an agreement be-
tween the two houses after the house
bill has been riddled in the senate can be
had the president will approve the amend
ed measure, coming to him from confer
ence committee. Thee president Is In a
predicament He has been forced to
acknowledge, att least his political OPP
ponents say so, that the bill pending for
a Puerto Ricanstar carries with 1t a
free trade clause, and therefore nigh
tariff man Is compelled TO change his
views In order to meet the requirements
of the situation in this island.
The Puerto Ricans in Washington, and
there are a large number Of them here,
are not satisfied with the bill now being
debated in the house. and the president
is therefore between two fires. He is not
able to suit the residents of the island,
nor is he able to subdue the insurgents IN
the lower house, SO that therefore, when
the bill passes, there will be Republican
votes against him. AS before stated, 1t
will probably pass, but the Republican
national ticket in the coming campaign
will not be benefited by the course the
president has taken or has been forced
to take, regarding this matter. i"'s-
- e-s-- s 80;
The CORRESPONDENT of this paper has Sc
cured information from the navy depart
ment to the effect that Rear Admiral
John Crittenden Watson, who succeeded
Admiral Dewey in command on the Ash
attic station early last June, has not given
full satisfaction. Admiral Watson COM
mands the largest aggregation Of war
ships ever assembled under the nation
flag. either at home OR abroad, and his
ships are of every type, class and de-
scription in the navy. There are among
them number of Spanish vessels, re-
fitted and overhauled, as well as a dozen
Or more purchased from the army and
converted into shallow water gunboatsA
His Jurisdiction extends over the entire
Philippine archipelago where vessels can
navigate. as we'll as including the Chi
nese waters.
From the first month after the admiral
assumed command more or less
vexatious questions have arisen between
himself and the navy department, which.
while not serious, always have impressed
some of the higher officials with the adj
visibility of sendinga new commander
to the fleet.
While this will not be done Immediately,
it is now quite evident that Admiral Wat
son will not serve out the full two years
usually allotted ito flag commanders on
foreign stations.H Admiral Watson seems
to have overreaehed himself on several
occasions, and IN one or TWO instances
1t has been necessary for the department
to direct his attention to such matters.
His trouble seems to be in attempting
to accomplish too much and in not allow
ing his officers wider latitude and discre-
ton Fault was found with him months
ago for detailing very young officers to
commands where men of older Judgment
should have been placed. He was criti-
cised for allowing Naval Cadet Wood,
who was killed, with a number Of his
crew, to attempt such a dangerous
reconnaissance as he was on when cap
tured by the natives There are num-
Der of high ranking flag officers who
would like to succeed to the command.
which Is now one of the most important
afioat. j. S. Van Antwerp.