The Press., 1901-06-13
Washington Letter.
Washington, June 10, 1901.

Washington, June 10, 1901.
 Is the country to undergo another third | term discussion? That question is being asked in Washington since Senetor Depew expressed the opinion thatA President Mo- Knley would be again nor6inated. Those who remember the bad blood aroused by tie attempt to give Gen. Grant third term, and who are not personally inter- ested, hope that Senator Depew's inter- view was not the result of previous un- derstanding, as some say 1t was, to make e serious attempt to give President Me Kinley third term, and among them are some of MT. McKinley's best friends and strongest supporters, because they Fnows such an attempt Is bound to stir up Strife, owing to the large number who be- lIeve that to give any man third term, no matter how successful his two previ- 0us terms have been, would be dangerous tp the welfare, If not to the very exist
 aoe of the republic, and who would re- sist 1t with all their power. The only ar- gument in favor of 8 third term for any president holds equally good as an argu- ment in favor of a life-tenure for the pres- ident, and with that the country would cease to be republic. Some of those who know Senator Depew's propensity for joking are inclined to believe that, not having been boomed himself, he gave out the thild term interview for the pur- pose of having little fun with the sev- eral boomlets that are being nursed in behalf of brother senators, and that 1t kad no serious meaning. That may be true, but it would be just as we'll for the opporents of third term for anybody to speak out and stop the joke before 1t goes too far. The president could, of Course, end 1t at once, but he Is only hu- man. It will be remembered that Presi- dent Cleveland said he would only serve one term, but he served two and is be- Ileved to be willing to serve again. The presidency of the U. s. is thing that ! few men are willing to decline.
 | President Mckinley on Tuesday gave Tout the statement that he is not candi- date for third term, and would not ac- eept a nomination.
 A report just submitted to the attorney general on the operation of the national bankruptcy law for six months, ending March 31st last, after giving the number of petitions filed during that period, which were fewer than for the corresponding Ieriod last year. but about up to the av- craze for each period of six months since the law went into effect, says the experi- once gained by commercial interests un- der the present law has afforded keener insight into it's practical advantages than swas expected or could have been antici- pafed that while the existence of the fpA eat law Is no guarantee against fraud, or that the dishonest debtor will not en- deavor to use it's machinery to his advan- tage and to the detriment of the creditor whenever possible; yet the opportunities under the various state assignment and insolvency laws were so much greater and the frauds frequently so much more l fragrant that the federal law has come to be looked upon as one of the most benef- cent and advantageous to the business world that has been placed upon our statute books for many years. That the bank ruptcy law needs some amendment was emphasized by recent decision of the supreme court that under the law as 1t now is, any partial payment made within four months prior to the filing of peti- tion in bankruptcy, constitute prefer ence, and that the creditor receiving such partial payment cannot prove the balance of his claim unless he first surrenders the full amount of such payment to the trus. tees.
 B. O. Brandenburg, who has charge oi bankruptcy matters of the department o1 justice, says that in the amendments rec. commended to congress by that depart
 ment, this has been changed so that wher man receives payment on account inno
 cently, he may retain 1t and still prove the balance of his claim, and adds that ht
 has reason to believe that congress will promptly pass the proposed amendment which has been strongly endorsed by thu national association of credit men, as ], necessary to protect innocent creditors.
 The total amount of claims filed b, states and territories for expenses in
 cured in equipping volunteer troops fo
 the war with Spain was $S, ,SO1, ,927.S2, o which $3, ,S24, ,038. 06 remains unpaid. Tn,
 auditor for the war department says tn,
 only reason all the claims have not ye
 been paid Is that irregular methods wer
 employed by the states and territories ii
 making the expenditures in question. HI f adds that while this has delayed paymen sI all the expenditures vouched for by th 6 proper authorities will eventually b. paid, but that 1t is necessarily slow worl ? to straighten out the irregularities.
 The outlook for the early solution o
 the Cuban problem is not bright. Tn : constitutional convention is again in ses , sion, but its members are understood t,
 be in favor of delay. A member of tn
 cabinet said on the subject: oWe fee @ that 1t will be some time before the Gu @ bans accept the Plat amendment. Gu
 determination is that the amendmen
 shall be accepted hefore the Cubans ar T allowed to establish 4government. It i sl very much our affair, &nd yet the Cuban
 are the ones who are Nthe losers The f are losing just so much fn gettin
 their government a-going. on tn other hand, will continue military occu a patton and control as atpresent. In tim the Platt amendment will be adopted, bu
 perhaps not very soon." aA
 
 "A Terrible Explosiona Of gasoline stove burned aAlady her 7 frightfully," writes N. E. Palmer of Kirk
 man, Ia. "The best doctors couldn
 heal the running sore that followed, bu