Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1900-12-14
OUR WASHINGTON LErrER.
From Our Regular Correspondent

ihere is war on between the
men who bossed Mr.. McKin,ey's
Campaign and Mr.. Mckinley's Cab
met. The men who bossed the CAM
paign compelled the Republicans on
tue House Ways and Means Commit
tee to make a reduction of rs cents
net a barrel in the beer tex. al
though it made the total of the Rev
enue Reduction bill, now before the
House, exceed 100000 instead
OF keeping it inside of $3O,OOO,OOO
us recommended by Mr.. Mckinley.
The Cabinet objects and has been
even talking of fighting the bosses
IN Congress, but word from Mr.
Mckinley will probably result in
making 1T plain to them that the
bosses are not doing more than they
were bound 10 do. One Republican,
speaking of the Cabinet kicks, said:
"Why instead of kicking, these men
ought to be thankful that the
brewers are not demanding the 81 a
barrel reduction they were led 10
believe before the election that they
would get; these men in the Cabinet
would know whole heap more about
practical politics if they would work
tor while with men who raise the
money for national campaign. OF
course, Mac will quiet them; he
knows" Some are predicting that
the bill will be allowed to faiiin the
Senate. Representative Richardson
presented the minority report on the
Revenue Reduction bill. 1t Goes not
oppose any of the reductions made,
but favors more extensive reduc-
ton In war taxes.
The Senate has always been an ex-
travagant body, especially in its ex-
pendltures for its own luxury, and
the fact that the Committee on
Finance has just paid $4,7O9 for re-
furnishing and redecora,ing the room
IN which it meets, shows that it is
growing more so.
1t was an unexpectedly large ma
Jorlty-19S to 92-that the House gave
the Circuit Oleomargarine bill. Polit-
zeal lines were not drawn at ali. If
any line was drawn, 1t was the agri-
cultural against the manufacturing.
That everything is being done that
can possibly influence votes for the
Ship Subsidy bill is apparent to
everybody. Even the bidding for
the construction of the six armored
cruisers and the five battleships
authorized at the last session of Con-
gress was utilized for that purpose.
In order to create the impression in
Congress that the shipyards of the
country we're all on the hunt for
work, which the Ship Subsidy bin
would give them if enacted into a
law, these schemers had whole lot
of small fry establishments, which
would be taxed to their utmost
capacity to build a light draft gun
boat, put in bids for cruisers and
battleships.
Senators are not showing much
anxiety to rush the Army Reorganiza-
ton bill through the Senate, which
was railroaded through the House
last week. To give the Senate Re-
publlcans a chance to rush it. the
House leaders made the bill substi- |
tute Tor one that was passed by the
Senate at the last session. The
Senate could have sent the bill TO a
conference at once, but it didn't. |
The bill was referred to tine Military
Committee and Senator Hawley. |
Chairman of that Committee, saws
the usual routine will be followed in
the consideration of the bill which
began to-day. The auti-canteen
amendment, adopted by the House TO
please the w. q. r. u. is already
being made the basis of much con-
tention. The chances favor its beng
struck out by the Senate.
The story of Rathbone's extraya-
eance with Cuban funds, which was
quite as disgraceful as Neeley's
steallngs, Is fully told in a pamphlet
of 29S pages, now in the hands of
the Senate Committee OH Relations
with Cuba. Although Rathbone paid
'he money out on vouchers, they
we're vouchers which he knew that
no honest auditing officer would pass.
IN fact, vouchers amounting to &c.,
il9.2l have been thrown out by the 1
because of the nature of the
FOODS for which they charged, such
IS SllO month for rent for coach
mans house, enameled bath-tub and [
,ther house fitting for one Madam {
Iorrins and household furniture and |
furnishings of all kinds, including :
UGH items as shining furniture with 9
'rocaded silver and gold,'' and |
harness and other stable par t
phanaiia. Although these vouchers b
ave been disallowed, the money had
iready been paid from the Cuban
unds. 1t will in common honesty s
ave to De made good, as we'll as the i
'eeley stealing, and it is likely that U
ne task or making good will fall en- L
rely on the United States, as there is c
o probability of recovering any con- Il
dera6le sum either from Rathbone d
Neeley. c
Senator Teller, struck those who o.
eiiese or pretend to believe that we q
'nnot construct the Nicaragua Ca l
IL without the consent of Great az
rltain, solar plexas blow when he OF
I'd In speech advocating action on al
lie part of the United States that
onid be absolutely independent of
ngland, that to ask England's as ga
Ut TO the construction of the canal al
Is to admit that that country had ad
sht to express its dissent. lie de
armed the Senate that such a posi-. of
IN would not be accepted by the Al
ople OF this country. AT the last an
'slon of Congress the administra- tn