Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1900-11-08
Washington Letter.
From Our Regular Correspondent).
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 1900.

CouutiN. IL 10 uttultee W ttii litcliikcut
readers that political signs are not in
iallible, and yet there is nothing else
upon which to base an opinion OF the
result Of political campaign. Most
Of the political signs are now pointing
Mckinleywsrd. This is admitted even
by Mr.. Bryan's most ardent supporters.
The republicans are claiming that II is all
over but the shouting and say they are
specializing only on the extent OF their
majority in the electoral college and in
the next house. The democrats say
there are some big surprises ahead of
Mr.. Mckinley and his supporters; that
there is an undercarrent among the peo-
Pile which figures neither in the news.
pape rs nor in polls made by political
committees that is for Mr.. Bryan and
will elect him. This claim may be
borne out by the vote, but it is certainly
not worrying the Mckinley managers at
this time, and If they don't know what
their opponents are about, they differ
from all other political managers. A
strong Bryan man said: II still hope
for Mr.. Bryan's election, but my judg.
ment tells me that nothing short Of a
miracle can accomplish it,"
Reforms are sometimes contagious.
Although none OF the South and Central
American governments were represented
at the Czar's peace conference at The
Hague, the preparatory steps toward
the court OF arbitration provided for at
that conference, appear TO have imbued
our southern neighbors on this continent
with the idea that il court for the
arbitration of disputes between big
nations lie good thing it must also be
a good thing Tor the little nations. Con-
sequently movement is on foot to get
the matter before the an-American
congress, shortly to assemble in the City
OF Mexico. The plan provides court
of international arbitration, modelled
after that provided for by The Hague
conference, except that it's jurisdiction
will be confined to this continent. This
is good thing, and il put into practice,
ought TO stoy the wars and rumors of
impending wars which keep the little
republics to the south OF us stirred up
all the time, to the detrilnent OF their
people.
Paymaster General Bates recommends
in his annual report that the law allow.
ing ten and twenty per cent extra pay to
officers and soldiers serving in the
island possessions OF the United States
and Alaska. be amended so as to include
all soldiers serving in countries beyond
the limits Of the United States proper,
and that the amendment take effect
from May rs, 1900, the date Of the law.
Under the law as it now stands, men
serving in Cuba, Porto Rico, and the
Philippines get the extra pay, while
those serving in China do not. Gen.
Bates doesn't think this fair.
4 Professor W. b. Parker, Of Pennsyl
vsnia, chemist who has made a study
Of high explosives, expresses the opinion
that no smokeless powder has yet been
made that can be safely kept for any
ength Of time, without deterioration
and liability TO explode without sppar-
ent cause. lie thinks the recent explo-
sion al the government proving station
on the Potomas, below Washington, was
caused by smokeless powder, which our
naval officers had declared TO be perfect.
One Of those who believe that a ma
tional election in this country Is one OF
the most uncertain things on earth is
Mr.. A. T. Bracker, OF Albany, N. Y,
who is visiting Washington. lie said, +,
while discussing the subject at has
been demonstrated time and again that
no reliance can be placed in the ante.
election indications, | am republican,
and feel as confident as one can OF an
event in the future, that Mr.. Mckinley
will be reelected By no way Of reason
ing can any man make himself believe
that Mr.. Bryan has chance, but
have noticed the way elections 20 for
years, and freely admit that would not
be least bit surprised over regular
landslide for the democratic candidate. I"
II Senator Sullivan, Of Mississippi
were not a comparatively new man in
public life, the accusation contained In
a suit against him for breach Of promis.
Of marriage, filed in Washington. several
days ago, by Miss Lection oi Mississippi,
would have created much more OF a
sensation. The suit alleges that Mise
Lection wss brought to Washington hy
Senator Sullivan and lived with him a.
his wife while being introduced as HE
niece, and that for time they lived In
Alexandria, Pa. openenly as man and
wife, under an assumed name. Senator
Sullivan has set up the usual defense
biackmail. The worst part Of the nasty
mess is that neither Senator sullivan
nor his friends have denied that he
brought the young woman TO Washing.
ton and lived with her az bis wife. The
most they say is that the women has
no claim on him. That may be, but
his state, the United states aud common
deceDCy has claims, upon every man
sent 10 the United States senate claims
which in this case have been ignored
Things are not as they once were. No
public man can openly live an immoral
life and retain the respect and support
Of either his immediate constituents oi
the general public.
Brave Explorers
Like Stanley and LlNlng.tnne fonnl IN