Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-04-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, April "a, Il


under the rule OF the war department,
which cannot fail to add to the wave of
public sentiment, daily becoming higher
and stronger, that will sweep the Re-
publican party, with its record OF
scandals, out Of power. This particular
scandal was uncovered quite by acci-
dent and its existence was not denied
by Secretary Root, who is responsible
for It's continuance, although it was
originated by Alger 1t is to speak
plainly, the robbery of the Cubans, for
the benefit OF officers OF the United
States army. Hints Of extrayagant liv-
ing by American officers in Cuba, and of
large sums paid for their expenses, have
been frequent, but it was not until
within the last forty-eight hours that
it became positively known that officers
in the United States army were, in
direct violation Of law, drawing two
salaries, one from the United States
and one from the Cuban revenues.
/ /
The ground upon which Secretary
Root justifies this robbery is worthy Of
ashyster lawyer, but not OF member
oil the United States cabinet-that the
money drawn from the Cuban revenues
by these officers is not salary from the
United States, and consequently their
receiving it is not violation of the
law prohibiting two salaries. Mr.. Root
goes even further than that. He says
this robbery was carefully considered
and endorsed by Mr.. Mckinley and his
entire cabinet before it was started,
and that he intends to increase the
number of officers who are allowed to
participate therein. But he won't un-
less prominent Republican senators who
have expressed surprise and regret at
the scandal, change their minds. The
senate has adopted resolution, calling
for all the facts.
- / I
Representative Livingston, one of
the most level-headed Democrats in the
house, says the Republican leaders have
determined to jam the ship-subsidy job
through at this session of congress.
Speaking Of this DEAL Mr.. Livingston
said; Il know that conference OF
Republican leaders was held, at which
1t was determined to push the ship
bounty scheme at all hazards. | also
know that the next day, Pacific Mail,
which may fairly be considered the
barometer OF the scheme, shot up nearly
four points on the New York stock ex-
change. The man who can't plainly
discern chain of cause and effect in
this, is indeed blind. Obviously, some
body who attended that inference com
municated to the men who control the
markets for Pacific Mail securities, the
news that the ship subsidy bill would be
brought forward and rushed through
at this session, under the party lash.
ut would not surprise me il a special
rule for its consideration and passage
should be prescribed by the speakers
committee. Such rule, it may be
confidently expected, will limit debate
almost to the vanishing point. Indeed
1t may be that all debate may be cut off
on the bill in the house. l believe they
are waiting for time when an unusual
number OF Democrats are absent from
the house, to force the bill forward for
needed consideration. The Republi-
cans are bound to get this bill through.
l am informed that a large part OF their
campaign fund depends upon its passage
Therefore, it behooves us Democrats to
keep our eyes peeled for the ship-subsidy
scheme. Every mothers son of us
ought to stay right here in Washington
until the session closes and keep a
sharp lookout for the Hanna-Payne
bill"
Experience doesn't always teach.
Notwithstanding the awful experience
OF our soldiers in the war with Spain,
thousands OF whom were made sick and
unfit for duty, by eating the so-caled
canned roast beef, the war department
has ordered big lot Of the stuff sent to
the Philippines for the use OF our
soldiers over there. General Miles is as
much opposed to this meat as he was
during the war with Spain, and the war
department acted without consulting
him.
I /
1t was an Ohio man-John Sherman
who originated the phrase which has
since become so widely used: "I'm going