The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-06-21
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., June 18th.

Mr.. EDIToR:-It has always been I'M
derstood that MI. Mckinley was absolute
ly lacking the sense of humor. That I'M
derstanding no longer holds good.
Whether it was the wording of some of
the ngratuations showered upon him
for his declaration that he would not be a
third term candidate that aroused the
sense of humor in him, doesn't matter.
The fact remains that he now has it. His
first exhibition of it almost frightened
several members of the Cabinet, but they
have become accustomed to it now and
find it an agreeable change. The exhibit
ton was in connection with some of the
congratulations Mr.. Mckinley received
during the past week. lie has a little
bunch of them on his desk from his would
be republican successors that are particu-
larry fulsome in tone. The first man he
showed them to, with a perceptible chuckle,
was Secretary Hay, who loves joke as
we'll as the next man, Notwithstanding his
dignified and frowning looks, but who
could not hide his establishment at Mr..
McKinley's quiet enjoyment of the con-
gratulations of these men for having taken
himself out of their way. However, it
soon spread and no one of these congrat-
ulators will meet Mr.. Mckinley or any
member of his Cabinet for long time
without arousing an inward laugh.
Has the administration promised the
Chinese minister to use its influence to
prevent reenactment by Congress of the
exclusion law, which will expire next
May? That question is deeply interesting
to the labor organizations and others who
are working in favor of prompt re en-
actment Of the law by Congress. There
are several suspicious circumstances
The Chinese Minister, who has more pull
with the administration than any other
member of the diplomatic corps is openly
| working against re enactment, and Off
Gals connected with the administration
have been saying that the sentiment on
the Pacific coat is much more favorable
to the Chinese than it was when the ex-
clusion law was enacted. 1t is not probable
that the administration would dare to
openly favor throwing our doors open
to Chinese immigration, but it is feared
by the friends of re- enactment, that it may
allow Senators and Representatives to in
fer that failure to re-enact the Chinese
exclusion law would not be displeasing.
Boss Platt's new Commissioner of Pat
ents has evidently taken "public office as
a private snap" for his motto and thereby
he is likely to get himself and the admin
istration in hot water, unless some of his
superiors in office are wise enough to
make him withdraw his outrageous order,
suspending hearings before himself and
the assistant Commissioner of Patents,
for the months of July and August, there
by delaying for two months the business
of every inventor whose case requires a
hearing. The business of the T. S. Pat
ent Office is conducted at a large profit to
the Government and the idea that any
official, even the President himself should
assume the right to suspend any branch
of that business for one sixth of year,
it is ridiculous, and this arrogant Com
missioner of Patents cannot be taught too
soon that the U. S. Patent Office is not
his private property run for his personal
comfort or convenience.
Senator Martin, of Va, who is iu Wash
ington, on official business, said of the
State Constitutional Convention now sit
ting in Richmond: "The question of Suf-
frage is difficult problem, but l feel that
the Convention will be able to solve it to
the satisfaction of the greater portion of
conservative Virginians."
Teddy" has made bid for the sup
port of the "nigger' delegates to the Re-
publican National Convention, by appoint
ing "nigger'' his messenger-this is the
only appointment at the disposal of the
Vice President, although Senators told
him that it was against precedent to have
"nigger" messenger around the Senate
Those who know the sort of arguments
required to get the "nigger' votes in
Republican National Convention, regard
"Tedds" bid as joke
The tariff fight in the Republican party
is already on. Senator Alrich, Chairman
of the Fiance Committee and of the Re-
publican Steering Committee, and who
wields greater influence with the Repub-
lican Senators thanany other man in the
Senate, led the fight which resulted in
hanging up all the administration reci-
procitY treaties in the last Congress, and
he is leading the new fight. He has served
notice on Mr.. Mckinley that no treaty
with the new government of Cuba, which
is to be established as result of the I'M
conditional acceptance of the Plat amend
ment by the Cuban Constitutional Con-
vention providing for tariff concessions
on Cuban tobacco and sugar, will be rati-
fed by the State; also that the fight
against the ratification of the reciprocity
treaties already negotiated would be con-
tinued. This is flying directly in the face
of Mr.. McKinley's constantly repeated
declarations, in favor of reciprocity and
means hot fight in the Seeate, which
may later figure in the Congressional
campaign of next year. Mr.. Aldrich is
not the sort of man to go off half; hence
the belief that he is assured of strong re
publican backing.
Deer Park Hotel, Deer Park, Md.
MOST DELIGHTFUL SUMNER RESORT OF