Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-01-15

Speech in Defense of the Administration
Course in Recognizing Government That
Had Not Achieved Her independence Weak
Attsmpt-Some Perplexins Queries
ordinary Measures for Protection of the
President-Gsn. Miles Within Range Of Pos
sibility for Presidential Nomination.
tFrom our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON, Jan. Z, 1904.
While the attitude of parties in the
Senate is practically unchanged, it
cannot be denied that the earnest
agitation of the Panama question tends
to strengthen the Democratic conten-
ton. Last week the ratification of
the treaty seemed beyond a doubt:
this week it is not nearly so certain.
The Louisiana and Florida Senators
may be induced by the action of their
legislatures to vote for it, but it is now
alleged by New Orleans papers that
the Louisiana Senators themselves in
spired the resolution instructing them
how to vote! One or two Republi-
cans are reported weakening.
Senator Morgan OF Alabama will
begin his great speech to-day after the
morning hour. Your correspondent
has recently had conversation with
him. He said: each days delay
and discussion throw light upon pro-
blem which last week was obscure and
make it obvious that the Presidents
precipitate action was imprudent and
unprecedented. When it was under
stood to be Panama or no canal, APP
prevail of the treaty grew toward
unanimity. But it is different now,
for it has come to be plainly under
stood that the Nicaragua route has
been the favorite from the beginning,
and that more than S4OO,OOO.000 have
been expended on the great Culebra
mountain and nine-tenths of the work
is still to be done. The administra-
tons treatment OF Colombia, too, is
seen to be more and more outrageous.
In recognizing Panama as an indepen-
dent republic when there had been no
revolt whatever except on the part of
a dozen reckless adventures, and in
sending ships and landing marines to
prevent Colombia from enforcing her
own laws and maintaining sovereignty
over her own territory we assumed
role which is not justified by any ex-
ample in history.
Senator Lodges speech on the 5th
in explanation and defense of the
Presidents action concerning Panama
gave undeniable satisfaction to Re-
publicans and was regarded by them
as being cogent and unanswerable.
The Democrats, on the contrary, it
seemed laborious and perfunctory and
as containing holes in the argument
"big enough to drive a menagerie
through, as Senator Daniel was
heard to remark. Mr.. Dodge held
and announced in a loud voice and
with great vigor, that the President
had perfect right to recognize the in
dependence OF any country which had
achieved its independence and was
capable of defending it. In demon.
strsting this proposition he spent an
hour of valuable time; but as nobody
has ever contradicted it, it did not
seem a wise expenditure. What the
Democrats insist upon. OF course, is
that Panama had not achieved her in
dependence; that she was not capable
of defending it against Colombia; and
that she would never have thought OF
asserting it had it not been for en-
couragement which, explicitly or
tacitly, she received from Washing
ton. That is the Democratic conten-
ton, and for Mr.. Lodge to knock over
his man of straw does not even help to
answer it.
Paying the piper" has always been
considered an important event when
the frolic is over. The question which
Republicans are being asked u.s." How
are we going 10 pay Panama from an
appropriation which was explicitly
made to pay Colombian" The rstifi-
cation of the treaty by the Senate will
not cover this. Will the House be
willing to abrogate its rights in the
matter and submit to the insertion OF
another name in the check drawn by
it upon the United States Treasurer?
Will it yield to the demands of Q CO.
ordinate branch and surrender its
character and its charter, as the Brit
ish House of Commons has done for
the first time since Charles l lost his
head?
The most striking thing about the
New Year reception OF the public At
the White House was the extraordi.
nary number and vigilance of the
police. They were not only there, but
they were active. Every man of the
1000 visitors was scrutinized as if he
were possible Tedicide. 1t made one
feet very queerly to be conscious that
his hands were looked at by the scores
Of detectives to see il he carried a
hand grenade or q stick of dynamite.
Every prudent guest took hold OF the
lapels of his coat with both hands SO
as to show that he carried nothing
contraband. The visitors we're passed
between rows of these detectives, and
were not allowed to pause for an in.
slant but we're saluted with Hurry
upp Don't stop" "Move on" as il
they were OBTAINING = belated street
car. OF old the guests OF the President
we're allowed. and even invited, to
linger in the East Room at their pleas
ure, but now they were vigorously
pushed along and rigidly steered down
stairs and into the street again with Q
military abruptness and undertaking
precision that was almost amusing.
1t was gratifying to believe that this
policy might prevent any more Presi.
Dental tragedies; but every visitor
felt he was in the grasp OF strenuous
hospitality.
Representative Hays resolution for
the investigation of the Postofiice De.
partment is before Congress. 1t recites
as . fact that several Republican
members are deeply involved in the
scandals OF clerk hire and unnecessary
buildings.
1.-THE limited States ia the meapest