West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-09-20
Lspeclal washlngton Letter.l


Especial Washington Letter.l
The q. A. X. Is very cross because
President Mckinley changed his mind
and declined 10 attend the Chicago re-
union. The Republicans ns well as
Democrats are wondering what 1t
means. The excuse OF pressing busi-
ness In relation to Chinese matters is
hardly worth consideration.
There is far less to be feared on that
score than when the president remain
ed In Canton and transacted business
over long distance telephone.
The excuse OF official dignity will
hardly hold. President Mckinley did
not scruple last year to make rear end
car speeches from one end OF the coun-
try to the other In order TO help out
several doubtful states when there
were merely state elections on hand.
There could be no impropricty I'm the
administration discussing matters OF
national interest at the G. A. II. re-
union.
The Democrats believe that the ad-
minlstration has concluded that n poll
cy OF silence In regard to Imperialism
Is It's only chance OF reelection. The
rhetorical bombast I'm which II usually
INDUCES about the Philippines would
make painful contrast with Bryan's
clear cut analysis OF the issue and his
well defined policy for its solution.
II the administration can find no ad-
equate defense for Imperialism. tho
masses OF the voters are likely to con-
clude that the policy is one OF those
mistakes which can only he remedied
by change OF administration. The
Republicans show n manifest reluc-'
tance to be judged on the record OF this
administration.
The administration shows signs OF
still being under the influence OF its
imperial illusions. Now that our citi-
zens I'm China have been rescued there
Is no reason why our troops should not
at once withdraw.
While the administration Is very eau
tiously feeling public sentiment on the
matter, yet the war department is hur.
riedly preparing to winter our troops
In China. The reply OF Mckinley to
IL Hung Chang indicates that our
troops may stay In the country indefi-
nitely. Nobody can forecast when
'order will be restored"
Great Britain would like to have the
cooperation OF the administration In
restraining Russia. 1t Is admitted that
the foreign powers intend to seize the
government OF China and then divide
It's territory.
While denying any desire to grab ter
ritory. yet the administration pursues
just the course which is likely to land
this country In the midst of serious
foreign complications. 1t looks like
the old scheme OF putting forward one
motive TO soothe the people while Sc
cretly pursuing another policy.
When concealment is no longer pos
sible. Mckinley will probably whimper
about mot hauling down the dag" The
fact that war taxes are still being
levied makes 1t ensy to undertake an
unauthorized war without the consent
OF congress.
More troops are being sent to the
Philippines. None are being sent home.
The censorship on Philippine affairs
Is now so rigid that the country is ex-
pected to forget that we have 10000
troops around Manila and are spend
ing about $i.0OO.000 n month I'm exter-
minating the Filipinos. The special
commission which Is sitting in Manila
Is using some rather peculiar methods
In Its experiments. IL released n num-
Der of political prisoners" on their
promise that they would endeavor to
persuade their countrymen TO lay down
their arms. The plan failed, but IT Is
fn kI.nE f.Il
has already gone TO the length or i'm
s'isoning men for political ofrenses. II
Is an earnest OF what may happen in
this country II the tendency is not
checked.
The commission is getting ready TO
report about the 1st OF November. II
viii, OF course, declare that the Fill
pinos have been assImilated and give
Chinese complications as the excuse for
not sending the troops home.
Dun and Bradstreet's continue to re-
port extreme dullness In nll branches
OF trade. Each week records more fall
ures than the corresponding week last
year Bradstreets notes no special
change Ia the employment OF wage
workers. Either II has not accurate
Information or does not care 20 pub
lish It.
The official reports TO the American
Federation OF Labor show that strikes,
lockouts and reductions Of wages are
going on all over the country. Scores
Of factories are shutting down lndeh-
nitely. This means that "tbe full din
ner paiF argument viii seem a bit iron
ical to thousands OF wageworkers.
Hnnnn is trying TO persuade a mum.
Der of ihe trusts 20 reopen their fac.
tories for two or three weeks before
election. with threat that they VIII be
closed Indefinitely II Bryan Is elected.
Such n paIpable campaign dodge viii
not have much effect. Worlsmen re-
member tho marked depression OF 1896
and 1897 following the election Of Nc
kinley. an1 they are likely 20 vote their
convictions this time. However. as
Hannn said In his New Jersey speech.
mo trick viii he missed" which Is
likely TO make Republican votes.
The Republicans are concedfng that
the next house VIII be Democratic.