Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1901-09-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, Sept. 2nd, 1901

w USItCItgtOH, C6DC. @ICtLf AOOA
Around the hotel Hobbies the only
political topic that affords any inter-
est centers around taking chances on
what democratic State conventions
will repudiaJe Bryan and the Kansas
City platform. So far there is quite a
unanimity in that direction, with just
enough of a difference Of opinion to
make an inherent weakness in the
democratic ranks.
Next to that, Washingtonians are
watching the constitutional conven-
ton of Virginia, now being held in
Richmond. The republican orators
up to the present time have had the
right of way and have numerically
scored the democratic party, particu-
larly on its advocacy of no suffrage
for negroes Speeches have been
made that have never been equalled
for their severity of arraignm ent, the
democracy having been accused Of
political tyranny of the worst sort,
and OF fraudulent election methods.
The democratic party is now attempt
ing to disfranchise the negro by a
clause in the constitution, and already
propose to submit this new State con-
stitution for vote Of adoption by the
people, excluding the colored men
from voting on a document that is
aimed to deprive them Of the rights
of citizenship.
There is lethargic reaction and
general feeling Of disgust arising from
the persistent efforts of the yellow
journals to make political capital out
of the Schley court of inquiry. Most
persons who have anything at all to
say on the matter regret the wide
spread advertisement that The papers
have given to the case, and echo the
sentiment of Chauncey Depew who
has just retu1 ned from Europe. He
regrets it on account of the serious
reflection on our navy. In Europe
he says it is hurting the reputation Of
the American navy among circles
which formerly had great admiration
for it. The victories ov9r Spain, the
remarkable run Of the Oregon from
the Pacific to Cuba, and perhaps more
than all the value s85 on the naval
writings of Captain Alfred T. Mahan
have made all Europe look on our
navy with much respect. But now
these Internal dissansions are dividing
opinion.
is
other that is distinctive Of Washing
ton, and especially IN the summer, II
is the great freedom from restraints,
imposed by fear Of nolestation, that
women have on the streets. They are
treated with unfailing courtesy and
consideration at all hours Of the day
and night. One of the peculiarly
beautiful sights OF the city comes
from the number Of pretty women on
the streets in the evening, barehead-
ed and in the daintiest of summer
dresses. They go about unescorJed,
and as unconcerned as if on their own
lawns. But this Washington chivalry
received a rude shock a few nights
y
costed by couple of men while they
were on street car returning from
one of the city's most refined su5ur
ban resorts. The men made some
sighting remarks, frightening the two
women, one of whom was hurt in at
tempting TO get off the car to escape
from her tormentors. Next morning
the men were in the police court
where a heavy fine was imposed. In
passing OH the case the judge said:
Washington stands pre- eminent
among the cities of the United States
as a place where ladies may go on the
street cars and public highways with
out danger of being insulted by black
guards, and the court is going 20 up
hold the reputation of the city in this
respect"
Much interest centers about the
possibilities in the case of Jose Abreu,
the first Filipino TO hold government
office in this country. He is employed
as a clerk in the bureau of insular af-
fairs of the war department. He has
been an ius1rgent, and as one of
Aguinaldo's officers opposed the
American forces in the Philippines.
Now, however, he has the confidence
of the department. to the fullest ex-
tent. Those who see him on the
streets of Washington as a small and
slender gentleman in American
clothes, but with an undeniable Orient
al appearance, find it hard to reconcile
his present looks and occupation with
his former known ability as an intrep-
id leader and fighter His father was