The Press., 1900-03-22
Washington Letter.
Washington, March 10, 1900.

Washington, March 10, 1900.
Admiral Dewey differs with the naval
board, which not long ago reported against
the purchase Of the submarine boat, Hol-
land, BY the government. He has for
warded to the house naval committee,
with favorable endorsement, q report Of
his aid, Lieut.. 81. II. Caldwell, who was
aboard Of the Holland during last weeks
tests in the Potomac river, declaring the
tests successful, and added that similar
boat In the hands of brave and deter
mined enemy would have made Admiral
Dewey's occupancy of Manila Bay an I'M
possibility.
The president has requested Gen. Joe
Wheeler to withdraw his resignation, and
the report is revived that he intends to
send message to congress asking for
legislation authorizing the placing of Gen.
Wheeler and Gen. Fitz Lee on the retired
list Of the army with the rank Of briga-
dier general, as reward for their SER
vices in the war with Spain. 1t Is sig
niRcant that when Gen. Wheeler first ar
rived in Washington, he said he intended
insisting upon the acceptance of his res.
igaation, and would ask to be sworn in as
q member of the house, while now he
says he has the matter under considera-
tion.
The action of the senate in passing
without division the emergency Porto
Rico bill, which places at the disposal of
the president little more than $2,OOO,-
600, collected up to the first Of January
on Porto Rican products, under the Ding
ley tariff, to be used for public purposes
In Porto Rico, means that the other Porto
Rico bill providing form of government
for the island and imposing Is per cent.
duty on Its products Is not to be hurried.
There Is still difference of opinion among
the majority Of the senate assto that bill,
but the vote by which Senator Aliens
amendment to the emergency bill, declar.
ing that the treaty of peace extended the
constitution over Porto Rico, was tabled
showed that there was no difference Of
opinion among them as to the principle
involved-that the constitution does not
extend to outside possessions of the U. s.
without an act of congress so extending
it. On that question the president, the
majority Of the house and the majority o.
the senate are of one mind. How the gu
preme court stands upon it Is as yet to b,
ascertained, and the president Is In favol
Of ascertaining as early as possible. 1
the court agrees with the executive ant
legislative branches of the government
the administration will have smooth sail
ing; but il the court takes the opposit,
view-that the constitution necessaril,
follows the flag-the policy of the admin
istration towards our new possession
will have to be entirely changed.
The officers of the national guard of 81
states, who have been in Washington TO
the purpose of trying to get the annua
congressional appropriation for the ma
tional guard increased from $4OO, 900 tt
81 0O0, 900, succeeded with the hous
military committee, which favorably re
ported bill for the increase, and the ia
vorable attitude of representatives ant
senators toward the national guard, make
it very probable that the bill will ge
through.
1t Is not generally known that the pres
ident has the right to attend the executiv
sessions of the senate, but he has, an
Washington and other earlier president
frequently exercised that right. A rul
of the senate says: "When the pres
dent of the U. s. shall meet the senate
the senate chamber for the considerable
of executive business, he shall have ses
on the right of the presiding officer" Al
other rule Of the senate gives the pres
dent authority to convene the senate
any place he pleases other than the senat
chamber, and expressly directs the pr
siding officer and senators to assemble {
the place appointed by the presiden
There are lots of things about this go,
ernment of ours not generally know
even among those whose business
should be to know. It Is doubtful whetl
er dozen senators knew of the existent
ofthese two rules until newspaper ma
pointed them out.
Recognizing the impossibility of ge
ting action from the senate on the sever,
reciprocity treaties with British colonie
Secretary Hay has arranged for an extel
sion of the time within which they ms
be ratified, which had almost expired, Il
one year.
If the number Of applications for char
ers for national banks with $25, 900 cap
tai, in towns of less than 1900 popul
ton, under the new financial law, Co
tinues to increase at the present rat
there will be few towns without their N
tional banks, when they are all acted u
on.
Although the senate has agreed to tai
up the Quay case April 8, some belle,
that the case will not reach a vote at I'll
present session. The reason for this b
lief is that the agreement was accomp
MED by q proviso that the case shou
not be allowed to displace any appropl
alton bill. or the unfinished business"
the senate. 1t Is now admitted that tho
opposed to the seating Of Mr.. Quay are
the minority, but it Is a minority skillt
In parliamentary tactics, and II 1t desir
to stave off vote during the session, ca
doubtless do so, but none of them wi
acknowledge such desire.
Hard to UndeFstand.
Il can't understand Humpkin's Gel