The Press., 1902-04-03
WASHINGTON LETTER.
washington, March 81, 1902.

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washington, March 81, 1902.
No important legislation was accom-
plished last week In the senate. The
first four days were devoted to the dis
cussion of the anti-oleomargarine bill,
and on Thursday adjournment was takent
until this morning. This does not mean,
however, that the senators were idle, fora
large amount OF important committed
work has been disposed Of. Senator Lodgei
has practically completed the Philippinel
civil bill, and 1t will be reported to thel
senate at an early date. The minority
have outlined their views In what may bel
presented as minority report, or may bel
used merely as basis on which to con-
test the passage of the measure on thea
floor of the senate. Senator Proctor'sl
committee has considered the advisability
of presenting distinct bill providing al
tax on renovated OF process" butter, and
Of amending the oleomargarine bill to che
same effect. Senator Harris of Kansas
is the instigator of this movement. Sen.
ator Allison has been doing large
amount OF work on the appropriation
committee, there now being four appro-
priation bills which have been passed by
the house but which have not yet been
considered by the senate. On Thursday
Senator Patterson of Colorado brought
up the subject Of General Funston's cap
ture OF Aguinaldo, and read In support Of
the contention that the capture was not
In accordance with the principles Of CIV
ilized warfare the major portion Of a mag
zine article written by the general him
self.
The house of representatives passed the
army appropriation bill with but one i'm
portant amendment. That provides that
the seer etary Of war may call into active
service those officers who have been re-
tired for disability and have later recov-,
cred from such disability. The amend
ment Is aimed at certain officers who have
been retired, and have later so far recov-
cred as to be able to earn competencies
outside of the service. On Friday the
house devoted itself to the pension bills,
of which there were great number on
the calendar. Saturday was devoted to
the consideration of bill making various
changes In the revenue cutter ser vice, and
civil bill will begin. This bill provides
for number of military and other parks,
large number Of public buildings, etc,
On Thursday Representative Eichard-
son, the democratic leader, startled the
house by the introduction of resolutions
calling for the investigation of certain
charges of bribery In connection with the
ratification of the treaty effecting the sale.
Of the Danish West Indies. These charges
were made in an alleged report of one
Captain Christmas, . quasi-agent Of the
Danish government. Speaker Henderson
appointed committee consisting Of four
republicans and three democrats to make
the investigation. On Friday the full
text Of the alleged report appeared in the
Congressional Record, and careful read
ing conveys the idea that Captain Christ
mas, with view to securing his rein
statement in the Danish army, from which
he had been discharged, came to this
country to promote the transfer of the
islands. He came with the conviction
that political methods In this country
were particularly corrupt, and according
ly sought corrupt methods of effecting his
ends. He appears to have come In con-
tact with certain members of ''the third
house," as the lobbyists are called, and
they, leading him to believe that they
could exert great influence with members
of congress, induced him to entertain
them lavishly. His methods becoming
known to his government, which had new.
or officially authorized him to negotiate
with the United States, he was promptly
discredited, and he Is now seeking to re.
cover the funds so foolishly expended
The only serious aspect of the situation
seems to be that Secretary Hay received
this man, and at his suggestion permitted
a representative of this government to &C
company him to Copenhagen, where oul
representative Immediately opened nego
tiations with the proper officials. Ths
fact that Christmas introduced repre-
sentative of this government to the Dan
ish minister of foreign affairs seems to bs
the only valid grounds on which he cal
: base any claim OF having participated IL
: the negotiations. II Secretary Hay wa,
aware OF the existence of Captain Christ
: mas report, he may be open to some crit
icism for not having called the attention
Of the senate to the matter before the rat
itication Of the treaty. The members o
both houses of congress seem to be glat
that the matter has been officially callet
! to their attention, as they believe tha
t the investigation will serve to remove an,
. shadow which the undenied report Nigh
have cast on congressional action.
General Dick of Ohio has made his re
/ port on the new militia law In the house
speaking on the subject, the general tol.
me recently that his bill had the approva
OF the president and the secretary Of war
'.The bill provides" said the general
. that practically all able-bodied citizen
between the ages of 18 and As shall b
liable for military duty. The militia i
organized into three classes. the organ
lied militia, the national volunteer re
serve and the reserve militia. The pres
: emit national guard will be organized ant
equipped like the regular army, and will
be subject to the call Of the president 70
a period not to exceed nine months. Whel
80 called they will receive the same pa;
and allowances as the regular troops AM
will be subject TO the same discipline
The equipment OF this branch shall be a
= the expense Of the national government
!. The payment Of funds to the differen