Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-02-20
Washington Letter.


| CuOdu pIODl6Iu Wy UIl1S SOVSIulIlSUt
depends largely upon the constitutional
convention now sitting in Havana
When the probability of the necessity
of an extra session Of congress was
first discussed by the cabinet, severa,
weeks ago, it was supposed that the
constitution would be completed by
this time, but wrangles have started
among the constitutiOn-makers which
may continue for months and result in
indefinitely prolonging the completion
of the constitution. No definite &C
ton will be taken by this government
until the constitution has been COM
pleted, and there is even opposition to
the proposed congressional declaration
setting forth the things the Cubans
must do before we withdraw from the
| island, on the ground that it would be
in better taste to wait and see what
the Cubans will voluntarily offer to do
i to meet our known wishes.
The Spooner amendment to the
army appropriation bill, authorizing
| the president to establish and main
| tain civil government In the Philip
pines, is certain to become law AS
soon as it does, Judge w. H. Taft,
who 10 now at the head of the civil
commission in the Philippines, will be
appointed governor of the islands and
| will be vested with wide discretion in
the selection of his subordinates
Among those who have been selected
as justices of the Philippine supreme
court are Judge Cooper, of Texas. and
Judge Bates, OF Vermont.
Congress is accomplishing great
deal of work, but d great deal remains
to be done in the next two weeks If an
extra session is to be avoided. The
fate Of the ship subsidy bill is still in
doubt, but the chances appear to be
against its being votad upon at tbs
session In fact, the Democrats, who
have gotten together In their opposi-
ton to this bill, have positively said
that they would not allow it to be
voted upon, and the Indifference of
number Of Republican senator's exhib-
tied last week when night essiOns
were held made it apparent that the
project of forcing vote by the hold
ing of continuous sessions is not prac-
| ticable.
At last congress has provided for
| the erection Of suitable statue of y.
S. Grant in Washington. A bill ap-
propriating $3.50, 900 for statue to be
erected on some public square in
| Washington. plans for the statue and
| the selection Of the site to be in charge
| of committee cor sisting of the presi-
dent of the Society of the Army of the
| Tennessee. the chairman of the Joint
| committee on the library and the
secretary of war, which is authorized
to advertise for plans for the statue
and to pay $4,000 for the one accept
| ed, has passed both house and senate
and is now in conference because of
some minor amendments.
The revenue reduction bill is in con-
ference and there is danger that the
existing deadlock may cause the bill
to fail. The house conferees say
they will never accept the senate
amendment that reduces the taxes. on
beer and tobacco to a greater extent
by about SO. 900. 900 year than the
| house bill did while the senate con-
!, fsraes m, .ihA. n1.uU Ihe accept
ance of the bill as passra II the senate.
The serate has confirmed al of the
| nominations Of generals. including the
nominations of James B. Wilson, of
Delaware, and Fitzhugh Lee, of Vir-
ginia, now brigadier generals Of volun-
teers, to be brigadier generals in
the regular army, both of whom will
be at once retired.
Iowa Republicans are much interest
ed in cablegram received by Repre-
sentative Hull from Minister Conger.
in answer to a question. 1t reads:
"Will accept nomination for governor
but will not make fight for it,. Mr..
Hull said of the matter: There are
fractional strifes in the party in the
state, and it seemed to me that Con-
ger was big enough to pacify them all
and secure unanimous support in the
convention. The people of Iowa KIN ew
him well before he went to China; he
served two terms as treasurer while l.
was serving as secretary of state. Ii
| [ find when I go home that there is no
spontaneous sentiment for COnger' s
nomination I shall not fight to secure
| it,
The Cuban planters and business
men who came to Washington to get
some modification of the tariff on
Cuban products have had their eyes
opened to the necessity for the early
formation of Cuban government that
will meet the approval of this govern
ment. They have been treated with
the greatest kindness, but have been
plainly told that it was impossible to
grant them any tariff favors until a
Cuban government has organized and
has negotiated a reciprocity treaty with
this government and have been advised
to go home and assist in organizing a
government that will meet the express
ed wishes of President Mckinley. 1t
! was IMPRESSED upon them that the