The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-04-27
Washington Letter.
from our regular Correspondent.

-
WASHINGTON, April %, 190o.-Another
ugly scandal has cropped up under the rule oil
the War Department, which cannot faii TO
add to the wave OF public sentiment, daily be-
coming higher and stro ger that Will sweep
the Republican party, with its RECORDS Oh
scandals. out of power. This particular
scandal was uncovered quite by accident and
its existence was not denied by Secretary Root
who Is responsible for its continuace. al
though 1t was originated by Alser. It Is TO
speak plainly, the robbery of the Cnbars, Tor
the benefit of officers of the U. 5. army. Hints
of extravagant living by American officers IN
Cuba, and of large sums paid Tor their ex-
penses, have been frequent. it became posi-
lively known that officers in the U. s. army
were In direct violation of law, drawing two
salaries. one from the United States and one
from the Cuban revenues. The ground upon
which Secretary Root justifies this robbery is
worthy of a shyster lawyer but not of mem
Der of the U. S. Cabinet-ThaJ the money
drawn from the Cuban revenues by these
officers, ID not a salary from the United States,
and consequently their receiving it is not
violation or the law prohibiting two salaries.
Mr.. Root goes even further than that. He has
this robbery was carefully considered and en-
dorsed by Mr. Mckinley and his entire Cabinet
before it was started, and that he intends TO
increase the number Of officers who are al
lowed to participate therein. But he won't,
unless prominent Republican Senators WHO
have expressed surprise and regret ut the
scandal change their minds. The Senate has
adopted resolution, calling for al the facts.
Experience doesn't always teach. Notwi'E-
standing, the awful experience of our soldiers
IN the war with Spain, thousands of whom were
made sick and III fit for duty. by eating the
SO. called canned roast beef, The War Depart
ment has ordered big lot Of stuff sent to the
Philippines for the use of our soldiers over
there. Gen. Miles is as much opposed to this
meat as he was during the war with Spain,and
the War Department acted without consult
ing him.
Representative Livingston, on Of the most
level headed Democrats in the House, says the
Republican leaders have determined to jam
the ship. subsidy job through at this session
of Congress. Speaking of this deal. Mr.. Liv-
ingston said: "I know that a conference of
Republican leaders WAS held, at which it was
determined 10 push the ship bounty scheme
at all hazards. also know that the next day,
Pacific Mail, which may fairly be considered
the barometer of the scheme, shot up nearly
four points on the New York STOCK exchange.
The man who can't plainly discern chain CT
cause and effect in this. Is indeed bind. OK
siously, somebody who ATTENDED that Con
ference communicated to the men who ccE-
troll the market for Pacific Nail securities, the
news that the Ship subsidy bill would be
brought forward and rushed through at this
session, under the party lash. Ii would not
surprise me if Il special rule for lis conSiG"ra-
ton and passage should be prescribed by tht'
Speakers Committee. Such>a rule, it may he
confidently expected, viii Limit debate aimcsS
to the vanishing point. Indeed, it may be that
all debate will be cut OF on the bill in the
House. believe they are waiting for time
when an unusual number of Democrats arc
absent from the House, to force the bill for
ward fora needed consideration. The Repub-
licans are bound to get this bill through. am
informed that large part Of their campaign
fund depends upon its passage. Therefore, it
behooves us Democrats TO keep our eyes peel
ed for the ship-subsidy scheme. livery
mothers son of US ought to stay right here in
Washington until the session closes and keep
sharp lookout for the Hanna-Payne bill.
TWAS an Ohio MAI. John Sherman, who
originated the phrase which has eince become
30 wide used: I'm going home to look alter
fences" Mr.. Mckinley, who is in Ohio, this
week, said before leaving Washington, that he
was goirg to "look afte: repairs to my house."
which is slight deviation from sherman's
words, but means the same thing to the
initiated. 1twas not a mere coincidence that
the repairs upon Mr.. HcKinley's house, at
Canton, should require his personal attention
during the same week in which the Republ.
can State Convention will be held at Columbus.
Senator Wellington has formally left the
Hanna MCKINLEY party, and made this an
uouncement: II was opposed to the per-
manent acquisition of the Philippines, and to
the Is per cent. duty on Porto Rican imports
to the United States. This being my position,
do not intend to support platform that is
against my convictions in s2ch important
particulars. do not intend to remain nien-
Der Of the Republican National Committee,
nor to attend the National Convention"
There are numerous prominent Republicans
in both branches of Congress who believe just
as Senator Wellington does, but whether any
of them will show that they have the courage
Of their convictions by following his example,
remains to be seen.