The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1901-02-15
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent.


Probably not within the present
century will President OF the United
States and his cabinet be called upon
to take part in two such notable
events so close together as the funeral
OF Queen Victoria, which President
Mckinley aud his Cabinet attended
Saturday, and joint congressional cele-
bration Of the Centennial anniversary
OF the appointment of John Marshall,
OF Virginia, to be Chief Justice of the
supreme court of the United States,
which they attended in the hall of the
mouse today. Time is precious just
now, both with the President and with
congress, but time can never be so
precious that some of 1t cannot be
spared to do honor to the memory of
so distinguished an American as John
Marshall was.
The real fight in the senate over the
ship subsidy bill is now on in earnest.
The republican programme, arranged
by the steering committee, is to keep
the subsidy bill before the senate until
it is voted upon, or 1t is demonstrated
that the opposition is determined
enough to prevent vote. Already
the senate is meeting an hour earlier
and this week night sessions are to be
forced. The friends of the bill are
confident that the result will be the
passage Of the bill.
The long-delayed army reorganiza
tiOn act became law on SATURDAY.,
and the president and secretary Of
war are now engaged in carrying out
its provisions. 1t is expected that
the nominations of the high-grade
officers provided for will be sent to the
senate this week by the president.
That Gen Miles will be made lieuten-
ant general is regarded as certain.
Senator Stewart, in a speech sup
porting the ship subsidy bill, said he
was on principle opposed to any
monopoly of the sea, but If there must
be monopoly of the sea he desired it
to be American.
Col. William Brown, of New York, a
lifelong democrat, who is now visiting
Washington, paid this high tribute to
President Mckinley: 81 became well
acquainted with Mckinley in school,
and we have always been good friends.
Although we have differed in our
political beliefs, have always admired
the man. He is honest and straight
forward and from earliest youth has
led an exceptionally clean and upright
life. Whatever Mckinley undertook
he did well, and the same trait has
characterized bis work through life.
When he started in to champion
cause, he did it with his whole soul,
and | believe he never does or says a
thing that is not prompted by the
highest motives of conscience"
Gen. B. F. Tracy, whose good work
as secretary of the navy, under the
Harrison administration. had no little
to do with the present efficiency OF our
navy, is in Washington on legal busi-
ness. He said: "We have the best
ships and the best guns and the best
fighting men of any navy in the
world, and in the future development
of our navy should be conferred the
patriotic pride of every American. I
have noted with. pleasure the great
progress that has been made toward
even greater navy, and I hope the
government will continue the good
work. America can afford to have
nothing less than the best"
Senator Chandler raised laugh by
saying, in reply to the claim of Sena-
tor Jones that the opponents of the
Ship Subsidy bill wauted time enough
to expose its iniquity: "The opponents
OF the bill have been allowed to expose
the iniquity of the bill and their own
iniquity along with it."
Senator Hanna is inclined to joke
about bis rheumatism, which is again
giving him trouble. AS Senator Nor
gan stepped aside to allow Mr.. Hanna
to pass through door, he said, nod
ding OF the lame foot: "Same old
trouble, | suppose?" eyes, replied
Senator Hanna = same old rheuma-
tism. It seems to he getting q little
worse every day. ! guess it is politics
struck IN.
The difficulty of pleasing those who
refuse to be pleased is once more ex-
emplifed by the present attitude Of
those who have all along been criti-
cizing the President for usurping the
power properly belonging to Congress,
in his insular policy toward the Presi-
dents desire that Congress shall pass
on the satislac:oriness Of The Cuban