The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1900-10-04
Washington Letter.
washington, october, /, 1900.

1t Is now up to Germany to make an
other play In the Chinese game. Having
only got the positive support of Austria
and Italy In it's first play, which conse-
quently counted for nothing, Germany
will probably be certain of stronger sup
port from the powers before making an
other. There have been no new develop
ments In Washington during the past
week, unless the talk of the Chinese
minister to to the U. s. may be consider
ed SUCH. He wishes the U. s. to assume
the role of mediator between the powers
and China, and he is doing considerable
talking about 1t. He is smart, too. He
Is putting forth the argument of dollars
and cents in favor of the idea. He says
it is the only sure way to prevent the dis
memberment of the Chinese empire, and
taat IL dismemberment takes place the
open door to American trade will be
speedily closed forever. Whatever else
they may be there is no doubt that the
Chinese are capable diplomats.
Although 1t is only little more than a
month to election day, the politicians have
not succeeded in working up anything
like the usual excitement at this stage Of
the campaign. They claim everything,
but are really up In the air, so to speak,
themselves as to what the result will be,
SO far as being able to produce any
tangible foundation for their claims, and
they fear that If the people are too busy
to do the ordinary campaign shouting,
they may also be too busy to vote. From
the best obtainable evidence, sifted with
out prejudice, 1t seems almost certain that
control of the house will go with the
presidency Mr.. Mckinley is re-elect-
ed, his party will elect majority of the
house, and If Mr.. Bryan is elected, his
party will have the house. The uncer-
tainty about the presidency is largely
owing to the belief that the vote Is going
to be much smaller than it was in 1896.
when the whole country was worked up
to fever heat.
Elk. Congressman DUNCAN, of Ohio, is
one of the expansionists who believes like
Senator Beveridge, that America is des-
tined to rule big portion Of the world.
He said, in a speech in Washington
'George Washington was the first Ameri-
can expansionist, when he took by force
land that France had title to. In my
opinion title is fixed only by the survival
of the fittest, and that is why America is
going to rule the earth. There Is just one
American people, whose hearts beat for
their flag and country, and they will
stand by the man who Is fittest to lead
them"
Secretary Long, who has authority to
contract for the armor required for wal
slips now In the course of construction,
at what he considers reasonable price
believes that he can reach an agreement
with the three companies which submit
ted bids that were rejected because the
price was too high. He has talked the
matter over with representatives of the
bidders-the Carnegie, Bethlehem, and
Midvale steel companies-and will hold
further conference with them. He doesn't
wish to exercise the authority conferred
upon him by congress to establish gov
ernment armor-making plant unless com.
PEELED to do 80.
The post office department is after the
neglectful and inefficient postmasters with
a sharp stick. In a general order sent to
every postmaster In the United States
the following language is used: "The
number of postmasters who failed to send
proper reports with stubs or manifold re-
ceipts for the quarter ending June Both
Is astonishing, when 1t Is considered that
postmasters are recommended for ap
pointment because of their exceptional
fitness, ability, intelligence, diligence
and punctuality.' The order warns the
delinquents that there is trouble ahead O.
them If they don't do better.
Senator Morgan of Alabama, whose
conservative opinions have high value
is In Washington. He said of the Goa
strike: IL don't believe that the mining
troubles in Pennsylvania and other sec
tions will cut much figure In the election
AS for the charge that the democratic
committee was influential In bringing ou
the OF der for the general strike, l dom
believe it. Either party would fight sh!
OF getting mixed up In such matter
1t will be over and cut no figure IL
November, l believe from the outlook
The figures showing the business dom
by the post office department in none,
orders during the last fiscal year are ey
openers. The money orders issue,
amounted to 1886, ,67O, ,Os7 9s, and tn
money orders paid to $249, ,12O, ,2O5. 80,
total of $5O4, 700, 1880, being an increas
over the previous year of $62 ,306 ,949. 5s
or more than IA per cent. This broke al
records of the postal service both in tn
amount of increase and In the percentag
OF increase and tells its own story of tn