The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1901-05-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.

JDe ADMINISTRATOR luIOugu DSu-
ator PIatt, of Connecticut. And
the method of making it was as
extraordinary as the promise.
Senator Platt, just after an ex
tended conference with Secretary
Root, at which advices from Gen.
Wood saying that the Cubans
were hanging back about accept
ing the Platt amendment, were
carefully gone over, gave out an
authorized interview, in which he
promised that Congress would,
soon after the Cuban government
was organized, arrange for a form
of reciprocity with Cuba that
would be satisfactory. OF course
this was done in diplomatic Ian
guage, SO that in case Congress
fails to see reciprocity with Cuba
with Administration eyes it can be
claimed that Senator Platt was
speaking for himself. But there
is no doubt that it was intended
for the Cubans to regard the
promise as coming from the Ad
ministration and the Republican
majority in Congress. 1t is un-
derstood that this promise was
made before the reciprocity treaty
under the Dingley law, which
would require the approval OF
two-thirds of the Senate to become
operative, satisfactory. 1t may
be that the Administration can
make good Senator Platt's promise
but the sugar and the tobacco in
terests of this country will be sure
to make it sizable job,
and it may make trouble
for Senator PIatt in his
own State, the tobacco growers OF
which would be affected to con-
siderable extent.
Such of the Washington relics
which were taken from Arlington
House at the beginning of the
civil war, and which have been
en- exhibition in the National
Musuem for some years, as she
desired were last week turned over
to Miss Mary Curtis Lee, repre-
senting her brother, Gen. G. w.
G. Lee, their legal owner, by the
United States Government. Sew
eral of the relics, including one of
Washington's tents, treasure
chest, lantern, and q glass can
delabra, were left in the National
Museum subject to the order of
owner. Gen. Fitz Lee, her cous
in accompanied Miss Lee in her
visit to the musem. The final dis
position of the articles removed
from the museum has not been de-
termined upon. This act of right
full restitution has not seriously
injured the Washington exhibit
iu the museum, as many of the ar
ticles were large pieces of furni-
ture, which have been stored
away, and others were duplicates
of articles which properly belong
to the Government.
The alleged investigation Of the
commissaries steal at Manila is re-
sulting in the old, old story. Some
insignificant persons are being
made scapegoats and the big
thieves who have pull, are not
touched. Friends Of the Admin
istration are pointing to the SEN
tence of sergeant to three years
Imprisonment and of o civilian
employe to five years, as showing
that the thieves are being punish
ed, but thoughtful persons regard
the news as indicating that the lit
tie thieves are the only ones to be
punished, while the big thieves
are left at liberty to enjoy the
fruits of their thefts.
Ex-Governor McCreary, Chair
man of the Kentucky State Demo
cratic Committee, is in Washing
ton. Asked what the Democratic
outlook in his State was, replied'
"The party is thoroughly organ
lied throughout the State and is
in perfect harmony. AT no time
has there been better feeling
within the party. At the election
this fall l think we will carry the
State by fifteen or twenty thou
sand, having a majority in both
branches of the Legislature, and a
large majority on JOINT ballot
The legislature then elected will
choose a United States Senator.
| If his prediction as to the Legisla
ture holds good, Governor Nc