Gilpin observer., 1901-03-14
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WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent
Washington, d. c., March IL, 1901
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Washington, d. c., March IL, 1901.
Now that most of the Inauguration
visitors have gone, there are none OF the
signs visible which usually belong to the
first week of new administration. AS
not single change has been made in
/ the head of the executive department
the office seekers, who are usually such
a striking feature of new administra-
ton, are conspicuous by their absence
and the fact that few changes are to be
made in those places filled by direct ap-
pointments of the president has oper-
ated to keep the number of white house
office seekers down, although no presi-
dentis ever entirely clear OF them. and
Just now some Of those whose who re-
tired from both branches OF congress
because their constituents failed to re-
elect them are very persistent in their
demands for presidential appointments.
Ever since the adoption of the Reed
rules by the house an attempt has been
made in each congress, and in some
more than once, to change the rules IN
the senste 80 as to limit debate and give
the majority authority to order vote.
These attempts have in the past been
individual, but it now looks as though
the present attempt begun by the in
PRODUCTION of resolution providing for
that change in the rules, by Senator
Platt, of Conn.,, would be made party
question to be backed by the majority
in the senate. Whether it can succeed
even il that be done, is q debatable
question, and it must be debated under
the present rules, which enabled one
man to talk the River and Harbor bill,
in which probably more than one half
of the senators were personally interest
ed, to death. AS the senate now stands
there are 81 republicans, 81 democrats
and independents, with four vacancies.
If the fight over this proposition be con-
Quoted on party lines and be seriously
fought, Vice President Roosevelt will
find the job OF presiding over the
senate about as lively as any he has
held and he has held several lively ones.
The fight, if there is any, will not occur
until the regular session, as the Platt
resolution has been referred to the COM
mittee on rules, which will not report
it back, il it does at all, not until the
regular session, as it is we'll understood
that executive business is all that will
be taken up By the special session of the
senate.
No credence was given to the press
dispatches from Havana alleging that
Gen Wood told members of the Cuban
constitutional convention that the con-
ditions imposed by congress for the
withdrawal of American authority were
not intended to be final, but merely as
basis for negotiation. Officials know
that Gen. Wood would not have made
such statement, because he knows it
is the reverse of fact: that the conditions
imposed by congress were the result of
the most careful consideration and were
intended by congress and the president
to be final. They know further that
the conditions were heartily endorsed by
all shades of politics in congress and
that public sentiment has since been
practically unamious in approving them,
and that the Only way for the Cubans
to get the Americans out of Cuba is to
acc .pt thsm; and they believe they will
accept them.
The senate, now in extra session for
executive business, has Sc members,
there being two vacancies from Della
ware and one each from Nebraska and
Montana. There may be another vac
ancy from Nebraska, If the legislature
fails to elect. Senator Allen, who was
appointed by the governor to fill va
cancy, will cease to be senator.
Congress having failed to provide for
any of the proposed junkets, members
OF saveral old house committees, who
expect 20 be members of the same com
mttees in the now house, are going on
iunlIets at their own expense, on which
they expect 10 gather useful information
as well as enjoy themselves, which viii
be much better that having his expenses
paid by the public treasury, because it
frees them from criticism. Somc mem.
bers of the old committees on tho River
and Harbor bill have already started ON
trip to Florida. which will be.eXtended
to Cuba, and the Same party will in
June visit the Pacific coast. Some
members of the old military committee
are preparing to visit Cuba and Porto
Rico, while members of the naval com
mitice aro contemplating Il similar trip
Members of the insular committee arc
talking Of going TO tho Philippines, Lut
have not yet fully decided to do 80.
Although Senator Morgan has intro