The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1903-11-20
Washington Letter.
way.

(From Our Regular Correspondent.)
DEMOCRATS WILL UPHOLD THE LAW.
Democrat senators are now and
always have been in favor Of all
is,hmian canal, but they will oppose
by all means at their disposal, the
"a tempt of the administration and the
republican majority in Congress to
override the law by negotiating a
canal treaty with the conspiracy
created State of Panama, aud they
have reason to believe that they can
prevent the ratification of the pro-
posed treaty by the Senate. AS re.
grettable as was the over. hasty rec
ognition of Panama as an indepen-
dent State by this Government, it
involved no violation of the law; but
the administration violated the
Spooner act of the last Congress
when it took the fret step towards
negotiating-with dummies set up
f1r the purpose-a new canal treaty
with Panama. The Spooner act is
4 plain that he who runs may read
al that no one can pretend to mis-
unt nterstand. 1t directs the President
taAneaotiate treaty with the gov
1rnment OF Colombia for the con
sNuction of a canal acrors the 18th
mus Of Panama, and in the event Of
failure to make satisfactory arrange
ments to negotiate with Nicarauga
for a canal over what is known as
the Nicaragua route. Well, the
treaty with Colombia was rejected.
Then, instead Of following the plain
letter of the law, and opening nego-
tiations with Nicaragua, the admin
istrauon went into the underhanded
business of revolution in Colombia
in order TO make sure that Tie French
Canal Company should get $40,-
100000 for its worthless property.
In opposing the ratification of a
treaty with Panama the democrats
will be merely standing by the law.
AN INTERESTING FIGHT.
Senator Hanna, who is taking
conspicuous part in the vigorous
fight that is being made against the
confirmation Of the nomination of
+ Brig. Gen. Leonard Wood says he is
after vindication for his friend, Rath-
born, whom be believes to have been
improperly convicted of speculation
in Cuba, while Wood was in com.
maud Of the island, but he may find
a break with Mr.. Roosevelt, whose
chum Wood is, before he gets much
further. Army officers would, al
most without exception, rej1i to see
the Senate refuse to confirm Woods
nomination, and some of them are
active working against him. Charges
of various kinds, some rejecting
upon his personal integrity, and
Others upon his military capacity,
have been filed against Wood, and a
number Of Senators are against him.
because he lacks seniority. The
Senate committee on Military Af.
fairs will grant Il public hearing 70
all interested this week.
LAUGHING AT TEDDY.
The old political wheelhorsts are
laughing ut Mr.. Roosevclt's attempt
to catch an old. timer like Senator
Hanna with such palpably artificial
bait. Mr.. Roosevelt fgnres, and
doubtless correctly, that if he could
get Senator Hanna to commit him. g.
self, to remain at the head Of the
Republican National Committee and
manage the next campaign he would
remove Hanna as possible rival
candidate for the nomination. AS
suming his own nomination to be
certain, Mr.. Roosevelt flatly asked
Hanna to promise to retain the com
mittee chairmanship, something never
done by any candidate 50 far in adj
vance Of the nomination. What
Hanna thought would make interest.
ing reading. What he said was, Of
course, non. committal. Mr.. Roose
welt then tried to get at uanna,
through his man Dick, telling him
that he wanted Hanna for chairman,
and Dick for one of the vice chair.
men-he wants two vice chalrmen,
so as to make ex-Gov. Crane, of
Mass, one of them. Dick has been
too well-trained to commit either his
boss or himself. So all that Mr..