The Press., 1900-01-25
Washington Letter.

washington, Jan. g. 1900
An epidemic of Boer sympathy broke
out in Washington several days ago, and
Is now raging In and out of congress. It
may be said to have started with Senator
Hale's somewhat sensational speech, In
which he expressed the belief that nine
tents Of the people of this country were
In sympathy with the Beers. Then came
Senator Aliens resolution, asking for in
formation as to why the state department
declined to recognize properly accredit-
ed representative of the Transvaal repub-
lie, which was adopted by the senate after
1t was amended, so as to leave 1t to the
discretion Of the president, whether the
Information should be given. 1t reached
Its highest point last night, at a big pub
lie meeting, advertised as a "Boer de-
monstration," at which speeches were
made by Senators Hale, of Maine Allen,
of Nebraska; Mason, Of ILL.,; and Repre-
sentatives Bailey, of Texas; De Almond,
of Mo-; Sulzer, of New York; Lentz, of
Ohio, Lamb, of Va, and Champ Clark,
of Mo. Because man happens to be
member Of congress, does not, of course,
prevent his having the same sympathies
as other men, but many question the good
taste of their participating in public de-
mcnstration against a nation with which
this country is on the most friendly terms
In view of the fact that the committee
was unanimous In Its verdict against the
right of Roberts to sit In the house, al
though differing as to whether his seat
should merely be declared vacant, as ad-
vocated by the majority report, or wheth-
er he should be seated and expelled as
advocated by the minority, it seems a
little odd for the house to devote three
days to discussing the matter, but that is
exactly what will be done this week.
They say that the discussion Is necessary,
not on account of Roberts, who is bound
to go, anyway, by practically a unani-
nous vote to the house, but because of
the Importance of the question involved
the right Of the house to shut out men,
Der, even when he presents credentials
which are perfectly proper.
The regular pension appropriation bill
never fails to bring out some lively talk
In the house, and the present bill just
passed by the house, was no exception to
the rule. There was some very plain talk
about the methods of the pension sharks,
just before the amendment was adopted
giving the commissioner of pensions
authority to refuse to pay the fee of a
pension attorney when he knows that the
attorney fails to perform his full duty to
claimants. Representatives Ray, of New
York, and Mahon, of Pa, asserted that
it was practice of the pension sharks to
file case and then leave it for the con-
gressman of the claimant to look after.
knowing that the fee would necessarily
have to be paid to them when the case got
allowed.
Talk and investigation consequent upon
the unveiling Of handsome bronze statue
OF Daniel Webster, in Washington, has
brought out the very interesting fact that
Mr.. Webster, who was for long time
one OF the leading practitioners before
the U. s. supreme court, never was form
ally admitted to practice before that
court. In view of the strictness of that
court, it is difficult to understand the
omission Of this form In Mr.. Webster'e
case. The only theory advanced to &C.
count for 1t is that Mr.. Webster was so
well known that it never occurred either
to him or members of the court, that he
required to be formally admitted to prac-
tice.
The proposed purchase by the govern
ment Of the submarine torpedo boat Hol-
land, received a decided set back when
the naval board of construction decided
by vote of to 1, against recommending
the purchase. This decision was made
on the ground that such vessels are In the
experimental stage, and that their useful.
ness for war purposes had not been de.
monstrated. The department is not op.
posed to the idea of submarine boats. as
1t Is now having one built at the Columbia
Iron Works, of Baltimore.
Representative Roberts, OF Mass, has
introduced bill appropriating $4,000
for the erection of statue of the late
Gen. Lawton, in Washington. In view ol
the ninety odd thousand dollars, contri
buted by the people of the country, fol
the widow and children of Gen. Lawton
1t would seem that congress would do 6
popular thing to pass this bill.
Senators are very leisurely discussing
the financial bill, which is to be voted or
Feb. Is, and the speeches so far made are
notable for their brevity. This Is not
hard to understand, however, as the finan
cial question has been so thoroughly talk
ed out that no senator can find anything
new to say on the subject.
| The influence of the administration IL
being exerted la behalf of the Payne bill
now before the house ways and means
committee, providing for an extension o.
the o. s. laws to Porto Rico, and tht
establishment of customs and internal
revenue collection districts If the bill
becomes law, Porto Rico will have fret
trade with the U. s.