Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1901-04-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(rrom our Regular CORRESPONDENT

(From our Regular Correspondent
Washington, April 1.-Mr. McKin-
ley has had an over supply of white
elephants on his hands for some time.
Consequently he is not disposed to feel
extra thankful to Gen Fred Funston
for adding two more by capturing
AguinaldO. The Funston white ele-
plant had to be provided for at once
in order to avoid trouble in the politi-
cal menagerie. There being nothing
in sight lower than Brigader General s
commission in the regular army, the
members of the Kansas Congressional
Delegation who happened to be IN
Washington made a break for the
White House and demanded that for
Funston. Mr.. Mckinley jollled them
up and sent them away without max
ing any promises other than than he
would do something for Funston. At
Cabinet meeting, Mr.. Mckinley men
toned what had been demanded for
Funston, and Secretary Root made
sneering remarks about yellow soldier
ing and circus business in the army,
and ended by saying he was opposed
to making Funston a Brigadier Cen
eral of regular.
Adjutant-G eneral Corbin marshaled
the ''pull" of the officers of the regular
army that will be jumped by Funston's
promotion to try to head off the ap-
pointment, and failing in that, to have
it knocked out in the Senate. Mean
while Mr.. Mckinley had his ear to the
ground. He heard the public demand
that Funston be made Brigadier for
capturing Aguinaldo, and proceeded to
do it, considering it wiser TO brave the
onslaught of the army push than to
refuse to bend to public opinion, even
though that public opinion might be
of the historical sort, which would
shortly become Indifferent to its pres
ent idol. This disposed of the Funs-
ton white elephant. Aguinaldo will
be more difficult to dispose OF. His
case is talked over at every Cabinet
meeting, but no sort of an agreement
has yet been reached as to what will be
done with him.
Those having fat army contracts as
well as those who are after commissions
in the army, are becoming alarmed.
They fear that the capture of Again
aldo and the reported surrender of
many of his officers and men will arouse
public opinion in this country to such
an extent that the administration will
have to stop recruiting for the army
before the 100000 men authorized by
Congress have been enlisted which
would lessen the profits of the con-
tractors and lessen the number of COM
missions to be issued. That it would
also lessen the enormous expenses Of
this government they care nothing
hnl RI "a n
patriots" who care nothing for the
burdens of the people so long as they
are being personally benefited. 1t is
said that friends Of these sharks who
are in the Philippines, have been warn
ed by cable to do everything in their
power to prevent the reports sent to
Washington being too peaceable until
the army has been recruited up to the
limit. Then they won't, as there will
be no way of reducing the army, ex-
cept through natural causes, until the
expiration of the enlistments. 1t has
been given out at the White House
that the army will not be recruited to |
the full authorized strength, if the re
ports from the Philippines justified a |
ourtailment.
After much wrangling, Mr.. McKin- |
ey has announced the appointments
.or the st. Louis Exposition Com
mission. They are: ExSenators |
Carter, Mcbride and Lind |
say, three republicans and one McKin- |
ey, democrat; Elk Representative Al
en-, of Miss, and Giynn, of N. Y, and |
P. d. Scott, of Arkansas, +. A. Bolts,
If Conn.,, and John T. Miller. of Ind
ana.
Mr.. Frederick l. Allen, of N. Y,
Boss Platt's new commissioner of pa
ents, took charge of that Office today.
1t is charged that the reason the in
7estlgstion and prosecution Of the
Maryland Census Frauds were turned |
over to the U. s. District Attorney, at
was because Director Mer-
'lam of the Census Bureau was too in
lifferent toward republican sugges-
ions not to probe too deep into the
candal. Five men have so far been
Irrested in connection with these
rauds, but if half that is being told is
rue. several hundred ought to be ar
ested and convicted.
Some idea of the way this govern
nent was robbed in the purchase of
-essels at the outbreak of the war with
'paln may be gathered from the fact
hat the transport Terry, for which
$50, 600 was paid, has just been adver-
ised for sale at an upset price of $40
w, and not g. single bid was received.
When bought by the government, this
teamer was an old excursion boat on
.ong Island Sound, under the name
Hartford,
l 4