The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-18
AT PHILADELPHIA.

| AiiA<fhDCkr hia, June ti--Oue eau
easily imagine more delightful situation
than to be in Philadelphia on rainy
Sunday. There was dampness everywhere
today except on the inside of those states
men who, for lack of something better to
do last night, dallied late and much with
dramshops on Sunday. and it is verify be-
lieved that not even Mark Hanna himself
could get drink here on the Sabbath.
Beyond this bare statement of fact 1t is
not necessary to descant upon the woe that
has been the common lot of the visiting
throngs in Philadelphia today. 1t is not
meant to be implied that all of the yisi-
tors needed drink when they awoke this
morning. Indeed. it is remarked by old
convention goers that there has been less
drinking among the crowds now here than
| ever before was noticed when like num-
| Der and character of politicians were as
sembled. 1t may be that the social at
mcsphere of Philadelphia has condnced to
| this condition, or 1t may be that Mark
Hanna is reforming the Republicans. Still,
there has been great deal Of complain
ing all day long over the inability to get
| drink. Those who overindulged last
| night seem to have infected the great
majority of the others who did not with
the burning thirst. the throbbing head,
and the dark brown taste which are said
to come to him that tarries with the wine
cup. Apparently all OF the natives went
to church twice today. In the morning
the streets were lined with decorous
hammered persons of both sexes. trudging
solemnly through the drizzling rain to-
ward the meeting houses. At early can
die light the same inspiring spectacle was
witnessed. But the strangers stuck to
their hotels and boarding houses and
fused and fuined for liquor If dram
shop keeper sell his wares on the Lords
day in Philadelphia the meandering police
man makes a note of 1t. and bright and
early Monday morning the dramshop
keepers license is taken away from him.
Major John L. Bittinger, of Missouri. Con-
sui General at Montreal. is here with
complaint against the Government. Major
Bittinger says he is unable to live on his
salary. and II he serves his country in his
present capacity much longer he will be
bankrupted. The salary of the Consul
General at Montreal is $500 a year. That
amount ordinarily represents a good liv-
Ing in this country, with a chance to lay
up little every year il the recipient is
mind to do so. But in his ofI:cia! capaci-
ty at Montreal Major Bittinger says ne
could probably use twice the amount OF
his salary. AS Consul General he is re-
garGed by the ceremony loving British
as sort of Minister Plenipotentiary and
Envoy Extraordinary her British Majes-
tvs Sister Of the SHOWS" This view of
hi <.eR~
Then, too. thousands Of Americans visit
Montreal in the summer time, and this
means that our Consul General there must
spend his hard-earned money on his coun-
trymen. Major Bittinger declares that the
State Department cannot be made to un-
derstend this. or the salary of the place
would be increased to at least ten thous-
and. His lively agitation of the subject
here may result in bill being introduced
at the next session of Congress revising
the entire salary list of consulates and
their readjustment to modern conditions.
Major Bttinger. by the way. was dele
gate to the last Republican National Con-
vention held in Philadelphia. which was
in 1872. He says he recognizes the same
faces on the streets now that he saw at
that time.
The Hon. Gooseneck Bill McDola.d, Of
Texas. is one OF the meet Interesting
features of the gathering throngs. Goose
neck was not a statesman until the Hon.
Ned" Green. Mrs. Hetty's bright bay. was
transplanted from his mothers counting
room to Texas. At that time Goosene:k
was a plain plantation niger" Butt
Green recognized in him the qualities Of
the statesman. and he has assiduously
cultivated these qualities into a finished
product. which is at once the delight and
mainstay of the Green faction in Texas.
Gooseneck is as black as any human being
ever was, but he is by no means fco,.
He has managed to accumulate two plan,a-
lions in the BLACK waxy'' section of
Texas since becoming attached to the polit-
ical encourage Of Green. and he resen;s
the imputation that he did not earn the
money with which he bought these planta-
tions at his trade as cotton picker. He
declares that young MIR. Green is doing
more for Texas than any other dozen
Yankees who have gone to that State since
the civil war. and proudly points to him
self as .ndeniabie proof of this assertion.
II Mr.. Hanna will permit the Texas dele
cation to elect Green a member Of the
National Committee. Gooseneck Bill de-
clares that Green rs liable to draw his |
check for 100000 for the campaign |
fund, IL that much Is needed to ensure Mr. |
Mckinley's success. Money is no object |
to MIR. Green" says Gooseneck. why. |
he would just as soon pay $1,000 IS 81 for
dinner il he is hungry"
What complete control Mr.. Hanna has |
of his party organization is demonstrated |
by an occurrence in, Washington yester-
day. the news of which reached here to-
day. The Hon. Ethan Allen Hitchcock, |
Secretary of the Interior, has been stirring |
up strife against National Committeeman |
Kerens in Missouri for several months. 1t
appears that the Secretary was determined
until very recently to defeat Colonel Ker-
ems for reelection to the National Com
mittee. and has encouraged State Chair
man Atkins to become candidate for the
place. Chairman Atkins stopped over I'm
yesterday to report progress
to Secretary Hitchcock. and was startled
to be informed biuntly by the Secretary
that lit had been decided to re-elect
Nerens National committeeman. But
who has decided it," enquired the aston
shed Atkins. without the least hesitation
oeCIttd1y flltCuCUCh Cdlnliy replied. why
Mark Hanna, of course" A member of the
dssouri delegation who visited Secretary
Hitchcock with Mr.. Atkins told The Times
the facts herein related.
And that same member. though opposed to
lerens' reelection. declares that he shall
tote for him when the times comes simply
because Mark Hanna informed him today
hat he desires Colonel Kerens' re-elec-
ion.
The Hon. Charles H. Grosvenor came