Gilpin observer., 1901-08-01
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| WASHINGTON LETTER.
I From Our Regular Correspondent
Washington, D. c., July 80, 1901.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES


ments, is likely to get what it has long
asked for in vain-the unquestioned
facts about the Samson-S -Schley contro-
versy, which has been periodically re-
newed with tiresome regularity and an
unendipg list OF charges and counter
charges. Rear Admiral Schley has asked
Secretary Long to order court OF
inquiry into his conduct during the
West Indian naval campaign, and Sec
retary Long promises that the court
shall be composed of officers whose
names will inspire public confidence in
their report. y court of inquiry does
not usually express an opnion-it
merely reports facts as ascertained by
sworn evidence it does when the
order convening it so instructs; and this
would seem to be the case in which such
instructions should be given, as there
has been no case involving the honor
and good name of two officers Of such
exalted rank in the history of the navy.
Therefore it is the general hope that the
court will be instructed to render an
opinion that will either exonerate or
condemn and that it shall be based upon
absolute facts, not prejudice. Surely
the public, which has been more or less
disgusted for more than two years with
this controversy, has a right to demand
that much. 1t is thought that Admiral
Dewey viii be president of the court of
inquiry.
The Washington authorities are keep
ing a close watch on the opening of the
Indian reservations in Oklahoma. Sec
rotary Hitchcock is in constant comuni-
cation with Assistant Land Commission
er Richards, who has personal charge OF
the opening. The secretary. still insists
that speculation in registration certiti-
Gates is impossible and has warned the
public that only three townsites-the
county seats-have been authorized, and
that the statement alleging the location
of others is fake and intended to de-
fraud.
A man with a mission has reached
Washington from far-away Australia.
And what do you suppose that mission
is? Something that the Australian mis-
sionary seems to think dead easy, but
which he will think differently about
before long. One thing car be placed to
his credit. He is paying his own expen-
ses. His name is G. T. Wyleigh, but he
will be called Dennis or Mud by most
Americans. His mission is to educate
Americans into the belief that this
country has outgrown the garb of re-
public and that it should adopt King
Edward, OF Great Britain, as its royal
ruler and become part OF the British
Empire. Whether Mr.. Wyleigh is
harmless ]unatic at large or is trying to
get notoriety as freak that can be
turned into money on the lecture plat
form is not yet fully determined, but
there seems little doubt of his being one
or the other.
Although Porto Rico has had civil
government for some time, the official
announcement of the fact was purposely
deferred to avoid financial complications
until it could be made simultaneously
with free trade. The presidents two
procamations were issued this week.
1t has been settled that Secretary Hunt
will succeed Gov. Allen, of Porto Rico,
but the appointment Will not be made
until September, as Gov. Allen has leave
of absence until that time. Meanwhile
Secretary Hunt will be acting governor
Capt. S. G. Richie, engineer officer at
Galveston, Texas, in his annual report
to the chief of engineers, estimates that
81 100000 will be required for the neces-
sary repairs and improvements to the
harbor at that place. or the effect of
the great storm, the report says: in
spite of the unprec cedented storm which
visited this locality early in the fiscal
year, no vessel has been prevented from
entering or leaving port by reason Of
insufficient water over the bars, and
navigation through the main channel
has been uninterrupted Treasury OIL
cials are considerably puzzled about how
the internal revenue taxes are to lie
collected on Porto Rican products ship
ped to the United States no internal
revenue taxes are paid in Porto Rico, us
it will require an act of congress to ex-
tend the internal revenue laws TO that
island. Under the Foraker act com.
plete record of all the goods shipped to
the United States was kept in the Porto
RicRn custom houses, but now that there
is free trade, no such record will be
made, rs goods will be sent to the U. :.
just as they are sent from one state to
another. The commissioner OF internal
revenue is now wrestling with this
problem, and he says he will find way