The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1900-04-26
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

by the Democrats was like all the
rest-empty. The Bacon resolution,
adopted by the Senate, asking for in
formation as to extra compensation
for army officers serving in Cuba, will
be fully answered by Secretary Root
at once. 1t was based on the charge
that army officers in Cuba were draw
ing two salaries, one from this gov
eminent and one from the Cuban rev.
enues, and were expanding money ex-
travagantly for expenses. The charge
was entirely false. No officer in Cuba
has ever drawn two salaries. Away
back when Secretary Alger was at
the head of the War Department, I'M
der an opinion from the Attorney Gen
eral, four officers-the military gov
ernor of Cuba, the military governor
of Havana, the collector of Havana,
and the treasurer of Cuba-were al
loted allowances to meet expenses en-
tailed upon them by reason of their
filling those positions, aggregating
about $4,000 year, and those allot-
ments are still allowed, and except in
the case of the Military Governor of
Havana, a position that has been
abolished, will be continued as long
as we occupy and govern the island,
and cannot be reasonably objected to.
Sena or Platt, of Connecticut, one of
the last men in public life who would
countenance anything approaching
wastefulness in public money either
in Cuba or at home, fully answered
the charge of extravaganza by army
officers in Cuba, when he said on the
floor of the Senate: There has been
no extravaganza. | have been there.
The public building or palace as it is
called there was put in shape fit to
live in. Nothing more was done" Mr..
Platt spoke from personal observa-
ton, as he was in Cuba only few
weeks ago.
No reply has been received from
the Sultan of Turkey to the demand
made by Secretary Hay, last week,
by direction of President Mckinley,
that he keep his promises to pay for
American missionary property de-
stroyed in Turkey; but favorable
answer is expected.
Representative Hepburn, of Iowa,
Chairman of the Committee on Inter
state and Foreign Commerce, has
made the positive announcement
that his bill for the construction of
the Nicaragua Canal will be taken
up by the House May /, and voted on
the following day. The announce
ment was the result of an understand
ing which made the reporting of a
special rule unnecessary. The fact
that $50 members of the House re-
quested that the bill be considered,
makes it certain that it will be pass
ed by an overwhelming vote.
Snnnfnr 10 4 % /,
luton, asking the Secretary of the
Treasury for a detailed statement of
the sums derived from the war re-
venue act, the receipts from each
subject of taxation to be stated sepa-
rately, which was adopted by the
Senate: Il don't suppose that it will
lead to immediate legislation, but |
am anxious to know exactly how
much money has been received under
the various stamp taxes. The infor-
nation will not be as interesting as it
might be, because the same character
of stamps is used for various pur-
poses, so that it is impossible to tell
how many stamps are placed upon
kilograms, how many upon express
receipts, how many upon mortgages,
etc. The beer stamp is distinct one.
and the amount can be accurately
told. 1t will also be possible to in
form us how many proprietary
stamps of especial design have been
furnished"
The Treasury Department will be
ready to relieve the army officers of
the collection of customs in Porto
Rico, on May /, the date upon which
Gov. Allen will be inaugurated, and
the new law will take effect. The
joint resolution, allowing military Of
ficers to retain the civil offices they
hold in Porto Rico, until their civilian
successors are appointed and qualif-
ed, which has been adopted by Con-
gress, is simply intended to give Gov.
Allen needed time to make proper Sc
lections of Porto Ricans to fill the
places. The resolution provides
that all the appointments shall be
made before August 1, next. The
Democratic attempt to create an ad-
verse sentiment, by criticizing the
preparation by the administration to
make the Inauguration of Gov. Allen
an impressive event, has fallen flat.
There are few Americans, even among
Democrats, who do not recognize the
historical Importance of the inaugu-
ration of the first civil American
Governor of Porto Rico, as we'll as the
necessity, viewed merely as a matter
of policy, of making the event a
memorable one to the Porto Ricans.
Secretary Root put bug in the
ears of those Representatives who
have been clamporing for the estab-
lishment of new army posts in their
localities, and yet opposing legislation
for the reorganization and increase of
the regular army, when he wrote, in
answer to an inquiry of the House
Committee on Military Affairs, as to
the ACCESSIBILITY of action on a num-
Der of bills before that Committee:
1T is the view of this department
that no new army posts, whatever,
should be established, unless the per-
manent strength of the regular army
is to be largely increased, or large
number of the present posts are to be
discontinued. We have not sufficient
men properly to garrison the posts
we already have"
In almost every neighborhood there
is some one whose life has been saved
by Chamberlain's Collie, Cholera and
Diarrhoea Remedy, or who has been
cured of chronic diarrhoea by the
use of that medicine. Such persons