The Press., 1903-05-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, May 25, 1903.

nESt or may the postmaster general called for statement of the appropriation for rural fres delivery, and was informed by Superintendent Machen that there would be deficiency of perhaps $2O, 900 at the close of the fiscal year. The postmaster general immediately wrote to Machen, in- structing him to retrench in every possi- ble way. so that, If practicable, this de- ficiency might be eliminated. This week Inspector Fosnes, now acting general su- perintendent of free delivery, discovered that instead of deficiency of $2O, 900 1t would amount to $227 ,OOO. MT. Payne has expressed himself in emphatic con- demnation of this method of conducting a division of the department, accusing Machen of "maladministration." The real facts in the case are that Machen has long believed that his interests lay in granting the favors asked by members of congress, rather than in needing the admonitions of his superior officers, and, therefore, he completely ignored the post master generals orders, and proceeded to establish free delivery routes when- ever member of congress requested 1t. This has been the custom of Superintend- ent Machem for a long time. By this method he has built up a powerful politi- cal machine, which he supposed would stand between him and the wrath of his proper superiors. That he will be disap- pointed in this expectation is evident. His political friends will desert him as rats desert 8 sinking ship, and 1t is rea- sonably certain that August Machen will never again resume his duties in the post office department.
 The greatest interest, from a political standpoint, attaches to the Ohio state convention, which will be held the first week in June. Senator Foraker has an- nounced that he would press for adoption resolution indorsing President Roose- welt for the nomination in 1904. Senator Hanna, on the contrary, has announced his opposition to such resolution, which he declares is premature. It ie well rec Ognized that there Is no love lost between the two Ohio senators, and 1t is predicted that the convention will be the scene of a merry war. Indications, in so far as they can be judged from Washington, are that the Foraker resolution will be adopt ed, but if Mir. Hanna really attempts to defeat 1t, it will precipitate the most in- teresting political situation in the country to-day.
 Less than two weeks remain before the pfesident's return to WsshingtoS, which Is looked forward to with much interest, as number of important appointments await his action, and some interesting events are scheduled to occur at that time. Two assistant secretaryships are vacant and will probably be filled as soon as Mir. Roosevelt returns. These are the places made vacant by Assistant Secre- tary of the Treasury Allies and the new position of assistant secretary of com- merce and labor. There is also a va cancy on the civil service commission, MT. Henglemuller, to whom the president offered the position, having declined 1t. A commission which will have in charge the sale of land estimated as worth $25,- coo, 900 Is also to be appointed. These are the mineral lands in Indian territory which have been aggregated by the Dawes commission, in it's allotment in severality of the Indian lands, and which the law provides must be sold to the highest bid der in blocks not exceeding 16O acres. It Is also anticipated that some drastic action regarding the post office situation will be taken by the president.
 The state department has received ad- vices from Ambassador Mccormack at St. Petersburg, which are calculated to set at rest all uneasiness regarding Rus sia's policy in Manchuria. Mir. McCor- mack says that the Russian government is at one with the United States in its de. sire to preserve the "open door" to China. He says that the success of the Siberian railway depends largely on the Manchu. rian trade, which cannot be supplied by Russia alone, and 1t Is, therefore, to Rus. sia's interest to preserve the present pol. icy of freedom of trade in Manchuria and other parts of the celestial kingdom.
 Cuba has very nearly celebrated the first year of her independence by signing the treaty in which is contained the pro. ! visions of the Platt amendment, including that for coaling stations for the United States. The signing occurred only two days after the anniversary of the first Cuban independence day. The greatest pleasure Is expressed by Secretary Root, who feels himself something of step- father to Cuba, at the progress made by the new republic during this filst year. Beginning its career with a cash balance of $54O, 900, the Palma administration, by economy and judicious administration, closes its first year with a surplus of g, ,699, ,OOO. The death rate has been re- duced from minimum, under Spanish rule, of g 30 to an average for last year l of 21.19. But, more than all, the people | of Cuba have demonstrated a capacity for self government beyond the expectations of the world.
 The bureau of ordinance of the war de- partment has finally decided on the 24- inch rife as being the most desirable wea- pon for the service. Exhaustive tests have been made of this arm, and 1t has been demonstrated that in accuracy, range and penetration 1t equals the 3O-inch rife now in use. It is regarded as handler when used at close quarters, as club, and as attended with less danger of acci- dental explosion when used in brush or under growth. It,is lighter and presents the. signal advantage of being appropriate for use in every; branch of the service, so that 1t will be served 10 infantry, cavalry,