Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-04-05
FREELAND, Pa, APRIL ;, 1900
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, April 3,

Representative Rhea, of Kentucky,
made rattling good speech ut mass
meeting of Washington Democrats, in
which he referred to Chairman Payne.
the Republican house leader as THE
statesman with the one-night-stand
state of mind,' and to Representative
Grosvenor, as the ''garrulous gabbler
from Ohio. who acts as mouth-pecc
for the White House sphinx" After
picturing various phases of administra-
tion wabbing, which he likened to the
track of snake, Mr.. Rhea said: "Oh
manhood, where is thy shame? Oh
Mckinley, where is thy blush? Oh
Mckinley, you are the saddest spectacle
that ever ratified helplessly around in
the seat filled by Washington, jefferson
and jackson, and which will be filled by
Bryan. You are the pitiful creature of
the trusts, the combines and the mono
poles, which have made you, maintain
ed you, and still feed YOU"
/ t t
Are legal opinions made to order by
United States officials? 1t is charged
that Charles L. Magoon, law officer Of
the division on insular affairs of the
war department, first wrote an opinion
that the United States constitution was,
by force of the Paris treaty, extended
over Porto Rico and the Philippines,
which he was compelled to suppress and
then to write another taking exactly
the opposite stand. This last opinion
has been made the foundation for the
whole Republican imperialstic program
and the senate has Just ordered three
thousand additional copies of it to be
printed. Representative Richardson,
the Democratic leader of the house,
desiring to get at the truth, has offered
resolution calling for copies Of all Of
the opinions written by Mr.. Magoon.
/ t
1t is suspected that a desire to in
crease the Republican campaign fund
for this year is behind the announce
ment that the cabinet is considering the
feasibility of recommending to congress
a reduction of the war taxes, which are
piling up surplus in the treasury, in
spite Of the fact that the receipts from
the Dngley tariff are many millions
below the advance estimate of the Re
publicans. Without the war taxes
there would have been a deficit Of more
than 5O,OO0,O ,OOO instead of a surplus
considerably in excess Of that amount.
1t is said that the brewers are being
,I,I Il I,f nil
tribute a proportionate amount to the
Hanna corruption fund, If the admins
tration will recommend a reduction of
the beer tax to congress.
/ /
That the government oyerpays for
low-grade work and under-pays for
high-grade work has been emphasized
by the resignation of Hon. A. p. Greeley,
assistant commissioner of patents,
because of his small salary, to engage
in practice in Washington, making Il
speciality of trademarks and foreign
patents. The retirement of Mr.. Greeley
is decided loss to the government.
He has been in the patent Office for
sixteen years. has filled many important
positions, including that of commits
sioner, besides writing several works
recognized as authority of patent law,
and not only proved his ability, but
exhibited an amount of backbone seldom
found in government official,
/ + /
The senate and all Washington are
still laughing and are likely to be for
davs to come. at the humorous speech
Of Senator Pettus. in which he held
Senator Beveridge. a would-be Demos
themes up to ridicule. for his speech de-
cI,riro bis onnositior tn the Porto Rico