Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-20

net, however, took up number of matters.
The proposed amendments to the army re-
organization bill We're submitted by Secre-
tary Root, who explained the various feat
ures, pointing out what he regarded as
necessary changes in the existing law. 1t
was stated that the members of the cabinet
present approved the amendments. The
President has already given his approval,
and it is felt in administration circles that
the bill will become law.
Against a Spanish Claim.
The cabin ct reached a decision upon a
claim made by the Spanish government
After the ratification of the treaty of peace
the Spanish governor general of the Philip
pines sold railroad in the Island of Luzon
which had belonged to the government
Gen. Otis, when he took charge, refused to
sanction the sale, claiming that under the
treaty with Spain the railroad became the
property of the United States. The Spanish
government appealed from this and submit
ted claim for payment of the value of the
road. Attorney General GriggS held, and
the cabinet approved his opinion, that the
railroad became the property of the United
States under the treaty with Spain-that is
all the property actually used for the opera
ton Of the road. All supplies and property
held in reserve and not used in the con-
struction and operation of the road, went
back to Spain. The Spanish government
will have to abide by the decision, which is
final.
1t is understood that there was also some
discussion of political questions which have
arisen.
Judge Taft, the head of the new Philip
pine commission, talked with the President
for few minutes just before Secretary
Root left.
Philippine Commission Gossip.
The name of another prominent southern
TODAY added tn he OF of those
before the President for appointment on
the new Philippine commission. He is Col.
A. A. Wiley of Montgomery. Ala, and it is
said that he is one of the strongest men yet
mentioned. Col Wiley lieutenant col
onel of volunteer regiment from Alabama
in the Spanish-American war. He is one
of the ablest democrats in Montgomery, and
1t has been thought he would succeed Rep
resentative Stallings in case the latter is
elected governor Of Alabama He may make
fight for Congress Independent of whether
Mr.. Stallings remains in the field for gov
ernor.
Col Wiley is said to believe in expansion.
He is wealthy, and would accept a position
on such a commission as that going to the
Philippines. He is the general counsel in
Alabama of the Plant system of railroads
and steamships.
Col Wiley's name was presented to the
President by Representatives Bankhead,
Clayton and Taylor. The President said he
"ouio 6ANC COASloSIdlIOu " the
Approve the French Treaty.
Senator Cullom introduced number Of
business men to the President. They hail
from different states, and being in Wash
ington on business, desired to express their
satisfaction with the reciprocity treaty
negotiated with France. They went further
and gave their approval to reciprocity in
general, thanking the President for his
position on this subject. In the party were
Messrs. French of Iowa Farquhar of Penn
sylvania, Austin of Illinois, Wiswonger of
Ohio and j. Deering of Illinois.
Senator Frye talked with the President
some time. The senator says that the re-
is of opinion that Congress will conclude
its work early in June, but the senator
himself always doubts these promises and
forecasts of early adjournment.
The President has made an engagement
to receive Mrs. Daniel Manning and Goo
delegates to the Daughters of the American
Revolution at o'clock this afternoon.
The Last Presidential Reception.
The last presidential reception of the sea-
son will take place at the White House to-
morrow night from 8 to II o'clock. The
arrangements and music will be the same
as for the four card receptions which have
been held, although cards will not be re-
quired. No cards have been sent out, and
anybody who attends will shake the hands
of the President and his wife. The intro
ductions will be made by Col. Bingham
and Major McCauley. The reception is
unlike that Of New Year day in that there
is no precedence in the line up or reception
of those who attend.
The same carriage arrangements for all
receptions will govern for this.
Death Struggle in North Carolina.
5 o. H. Dockery. who has been one Of those
at the head of the republican party in
North Carolina for years, was at the Execu-
tive Mansion. He is here contesting the
seat held by John D. Bellamy of Whining
ton, representing the sixth district. Ac-
cording to the returns, Mr.. Bellamy re-
ceived 23.212 votes and Mr.. Dockery II, $50.
II think will be able to show the House
that I received more votes than Mr. Bella
N.Y. said Mr.. Taft. 'I never saw or heard
of such intimidation Of voters in my life as
was carried on In my district. In Whining
ton at least 100 of the best colored men of
the city disappeared, and at least twenty
five of them have never been heard of since.
Nearly all the counties of my district
known as the shoestring-lie along the
South Carolina border. These counties
were invaded by red shirt riders from South
Carolina, sent over by Senator Tfllman, and
thousands of republican voters We're kent
away from the polls by rank intimidation.
THE attempt is to be made to repeat this
when the state election is held in August
next. At that time the suffrage qualifica-
tion amendatory of the constitution is to
be submitted to the people. If 1t is adopted
there will no longer be a republican party
in North Carolina. The democratic party
will be established forever and thousands
of voters will be disfranchised The repub-
lcans will make the hardest fight of their
history and hope to defeat the amendment
It is life or death struggle with them
We are going to invite many prominent re-
publicans to make speeches in the state
during the summer.
The election for state officers is held in
August at the same time the constitutional
amendment is submitted. Mr. Dockerv
favors fusion with the populists. He ad.
vocates the nomination of United States
Senator Marion Butler for governor and
believes he will be the fusion candidate A
republican will be nominated for lieutenant
governor, and If Senator Butler is after
ward reelected to the Senate will succeed
him as governor.
Invited to Charleston.
Oscar T. Corson of Columbus, Ohio, presf-
dent of the National Educational Associa-
tion, accompanied by DR.. Harris, United
States commissioner of education. and DR..
J. L. M. Curry. ex-minister to Italy, and
the manager of the George Peabody fund
In America, called at the White House to-