Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1900-03-23
NOTES FROM OURNATIoN's
CAPITAL.
lFrom our RcguIar Correspondeni. ]

I
The amendment Of the Nicaragua
Canal treaty, giving this country
the right to defend and control the
canal in time of war, although pro-
posed by Republican-Senator Da-
vls-was Democratic triumph, be-
cause the amendment is an unquali-
tied endorsement of the position tax
EN- by the Democrats when the trea-
ty was first made public. As amend
ed, the treaty will probably receive
the votes of enough Democratic Sen
ators to make its ratification reason
ably certain, although there are fea
lures in it that will prevent some
Democrats from voting for its ratif-
cation.
Are the majority of the Senate
afraid of England Their action,
when Senator Mason compelled the
Senate to take up his resolution, ex
pressing sympathy for the Beers, GER
tainly looked that way. The ma
Jority refused to allow the resoluti ton
to be discussed in open session, be-
cause things would be said that
might offend England. Ye Gods
this sort of talk in the American
Senate, where men who cringed to no
foreign friend or foe, once upon a
time fearlessly expressed their opin-
ION and time after time have spoken
in favor of down trodden peoples.
without stopping to think whether
their oppressors would like it or not.
Now, as soon as anything affecting
England is mentioned, the majority
orders the doors closed. What a pic
ture for the American people to cou-
template Even in secret session.
the Administration Senators are
afraid to allow Senator Masou's res
olution to be squarely voted upon.
Their program is to throttle il bv
having u majority vote to lay it on
the table. If the so-called era of
friendship with England is to result
In squelching our Americanism and
our love for liberty, the sooner it
comes to au end, the better for us as
a people.
A new and interesting piece of po-
litical gossip is that Mr.. Mckinley |
is seriously thinking Of making
scape-goat of Secretary Hay, with the
hope of squaring himself with the
numerous and influential republicans
who have been making vigorous pro-
tests against the too English For
eign policy of the administration. !
Itwould be nothing new for Mr.. Nc. |
klnley to sacrifice friend to serve |
his own political interests, but in |
this particular case it is doubtful |
whether the sacrifice would do more |
than add to the .country's belief in
the adroituess of Mr.. Mckinley in
looking out for No. L. Mr.. HAY is
inviting the sacrifice by his talk |
against the amendment Of the Mica
ragua canal treaty.
A joint resolution, intended 10
give Gen Miles promotion, has been
offered in Senate and House, by Seu-
ator Lodge and Representative Moo
dy, of Mass. 1t provides that the
senior Major General, when in COM
mand Of the army, shall have the
rank and pay Of Lieutenant. General
and shall be retired with that rank.
The Administration has quietly op-
posed all legislation along this line,
because of the pull of Adjutant-Gen-
eral Corbin, who is bitterly hostile |
to Gen. Miles, and it will probably |
do the same in this case.
AS the result of last weeks work
the Republicans of the House have !
unseated two democrats, one from
Alabama and one from Virginia.
and seated two republicans.
The Senate sat down quick and |
hard on Senator Hoar's scheme to
give ex-Queen Lii, of Hawaii, S2O,-
600, and a yearly pension of $4,000.
We haven't reached the stage vet of !
paying pensions to ex.roy-
altles, either white or chocolate col |
ored.