Gilpin observer., 1901-05-23
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent
Washington, D. G., May 21, 1901.

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gave out an interview in Washington
which is believed to be intended to re
assure the Cubans on the tariff question,
and hurry up their acceptance OF the
Platt amendment. In that interview
he said that, while no positive promise
had been made or could be made to the
Cubans of tariff concessions, he was
confident that reciprocity agreement
mutually beneficial and satisfactory
could be reached through congress
soon after the Cuban government was
established. This is considered the
most important .utterance on the ques-
tion yet made by an official. Senator
Platt is chairman of the senate commit
tee that will have charge of all Cuban
legislature in that body, and is influen-
tial in the house. 1t is evident from
the wording of his interview that Sen
ator Platt does not contemplate the
negotiation of reciprocity treaty with
Cuba, under the Dingley law-the fate
of the other reciprocity treaties negoti-
ated under that law would not be calcu-
lated to make that very encouraging to
the Cubans-but special Cuban recip-
rocity legislation by congress.
There is much sympathy but no sur
prise in Washington over the announce
ment of the abandonment of the presi-
dents trip, because of Mrs. Mckinley S
illness. 1t was generslly predicted that
Mrs. Mckinleys strength would be un-
equel to such long trip and the ex-
element constant upon continuous
public receptions. 1t would have been
a severe task upon well woman, and
Mrs. Mckinley has been an invalid for
years.
DIR. D. S. Scott, an American citizen
residing at Mexico, is another victim of
Mexican failure to recognize property
rights of Americans. He is now in
Washington seeking the assistance of
the department of state in his effort to
compel the Mexican authorities to pay
him $4,000. Speaking of present Mexi-
can methods, DR.. Scott said: The best
class of Mexicans do not countenance the
injustice practiced upon Americans, but
there undoubtedly is very large class
Of Mexicans who are pleased to have
Americans come among them, but are
loath to have them unless they have
first been deprived of about all the
money they possess. There should be
treaty between the United States and
Mexico by which that country could be
compelled to recognize the property
rights of American citizens"
In these days of scrambling to get
rich, when so many live on the principle
Of, every man for himself" it is graft
fying, as we'll as an encouraging sign of
the future, to see such body of dis
tinguished men and woman from all
sections of our country as composed the
National Conference OF Charities and
Corrections, which has just concluded
one OF the most successful annual meet
ings IN it's history, devoting their time
and talents, without pay or expectation
of reward, to the betterment. of unfor-
tunate humanity. The sentiment of all
thoughtful people towards these men
and women was voiced in the following
from an editorial in the Washington
Post: Among all of the numberless
national organizations which have held
their annual meetings in Washington,
we know of none whose objects are more
distinctly altruistic or whose work is
more useful than that Of the Charities
and Corrections association, whose con
ference has been for some days past in
session here. The broadcast spirit of
philanthropy characterizes its labors,
creeds and sects, and they work to-
gether in spirit of harmony begotten
of love for the unfortunate"
President Proctor, of the civil service
commission, has gone to New York to
investigate charges alleging violation of
the civil service law by federal officials
it that city. Such charges aud investi-
cations are very frequent-they take up
no nconsiderable portion OF the time of
the civil service commissioning some
how they very rarely result in punish
ment for anybody.
The general board of trustees mft at
the headquarters of the National Associ-
ton Of Mnchnists May II, and will remain
ia session until after May %, when the
strike ordered for nine hour day with
out reduction of pay will begin among
machinists all over our country. Presi-
dent O'Connell says the strike will he
very short, as employers all over the
country are rapidly agreeing to tho de
mands Of the men.
Secretary Root has put several hund-
red employees of the war department on
tho anxinus bench by announcing TINT