The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1900-04-14
WASHINGTON LETTER.


If those responsible for Admiral
Dewey's announcement of his eandi- !
daey for the Observation-Disclosures
have the remotest idea that he can
get the democratic nomination away
from Col. Bryan, they have another
guess coming to them. There is not
democrat in either branch of Con-
gress, in sympathy with the Chicago
platform, who does not regard Col.
Bryan's nomination as already
made, and the Kansas City Conyen-
ton as a national meeting that will
be held to ratify that nomination,
Admiral Dewey says he is a demo-
crat and has always been one, but
that he has never east vote, 1t he
had made that statement when he
first returned from Manila when his
friend, Senator Proctor, OF Vermont,
was repeatedly declaring that he
was a republican, it would have car
ried more weight. But, anyway,
democrats who do not vote are not
the sort of democrats who help the
party to win elections or who de-
serve office from the party, If Adj
miral Dewey becomes an independ-
ent candidate for President, he will
render material aid towards the
election of Col, Bryan, as he would
probably get votes which would
otherwise go to Mckinley.
Ifevery democratic member of the
House will occupy his seat and vote
against the Porto Rico bill, that in
iquitous measure can be defeated
when it is taken up this week. The
republican caucus has declared in ia
vor OF passing the bill just as it came
from the Senate, but there are quite
a number of republicans who say
they will vote for the bill, and a few
who will actually vote against it,
and it is practically certain that
owing to absentees, vote against
the bill, equal to the full democratic
membership of the House, will de-
feat it. Both sides are working hard
to get their absentees in Washing
ton in time to vote. Bad as the tar
if clause is in principle, the section
of the bill providing a civil govern
ment for Porto Rico is even worse.
Under it, the real government of the
island can be put into the hands of
carpet baegers, and that such gov
ernment would be productive of
scandals was fully shown by the ex
perience during the reconstruction
period in Southern states.
The distinguished audience which
heard Hon. Webster Davis first lect-
ure on the war in South Africa, indi-
Gates that those who claim that a
majority Of our people sympathize
with the Beers are right. The lect-
ure, which abounds with arguments
showing why we should sympathize
wSiittlh1,the two repaab5nhcs which are
struggling for their lives against one
of the worlds greatest empires, was
app!auded from start to finish. Mr..
Davis is receiving invitations to
speak in behalf of the Beers from ev-
cry section of the country,
Hearings in the Clark case have
been closed and the Senate Commit
tee on Elections is considering the
evidence and the arguments of coun-
sell An adverse report is looked for
from the committee, but it is gener-
ally expected that the vote of the
Senate will be in favor of Senator
Clark. 1t would require two
thirds vote to unseat him.
1t is regarded as significant OF
coming change in the administra
tons Philippine policy that the of
fetal announcement is made that
Gen. Otis will start for the U, S. at
about the time the Philippine Com
mission arrives at Manila. 1t is
we'll known that there was much
clashing between Otis and the old
commission, although he was men,
Der of that body as was Dewey.
The administration does not in
tend that decision from the ST.
preme Court shall be had on the
question of the Constitution follow
ing the flag, before the Presidential
election, if it can possibly prevent it.
This has been shown by the action
of Secretary Gage in ordering that
a contract laborer brought from
Porto Rico to New York, for the ex-
press purpose of making test case,
be allowed to land. Representative
Mcclellan, of New York, has offered
a resolution in the House, calling up
on Secretary Gage for the cores
pondence in this case, and Senator
Jones, of Arkansas, offered q similar
resolution in the Senate which was
at once adopted. How this action
on the part Of Secretary Gage strikes
the democrats and populists in Con
gress may be judged by an expression
from Senator Taliafero, "The ad-
ministration seems anxious that the
Porto Rican question should remain
4.