The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-01-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.

treaty, Senators Spooner, Carmack, New
lands, Depew, Tillman, and others engag
ing in the controversy. Each side claims
that the other is partisan and both deny
the charge. The Democrats maintain
that Intervention by the President before
the revolution was an act of war against
Colombia; that he is now provoking war
for political purposes; that he entered by
military force and unlimited into the
territorial jurisdiction.of Colombia; that
he sent instructions to naval officers at
Colon and Panama to prevent the landing
of Colombian troops on her own soil; that
he encouraged the revolutionists in their
acts Of secession; that the revolution was
a sham aud the new republic holds
together only by the outside support
given by the President; that Panama has
no organized government and the peo-
pie have never voted upon constitution; ).
that the constitution of the United States
has been set aside and international law
disregarded; that the President disobeyed
the plain requirements of the Spooner
act; and that when he found he could not
negotiate treaty with Colombia it was
his duty to turn to Nicaragua.
*x*
In reply the Republicans assert that the
President had nothing to'do with the rev.
olution; that the administration will try
to avoid war and does not contemplate it;
that he promptly sent forces to the 18th
mus to guard the transit and protect
American interests; that he has been dill
igent in the best interests of the American
people; that he is abundantly supported
constitution; that Congress marked out
the Panama route as the one of its choice
on the ground that it is the only place
where sea-level canal can be built; that
it was left to the President to say what
was reasonable" time in which to
conclude treaty with Colombia; that it
was purely a matter of Judgment and
state policy on his part when he should
recognize the new republic; that all these
facts are matters of history and the in
cident is closed.
*x*
The unexpected strength for Mr..
Hearst, as Presidential candidate, which
became apparent in Washington at the
meeting of the National Democratic
Committee, is given as the reason St.
Louis was chosen for the convention in
place of Chicago. But Mr.. Hearst is alert
and will at once establish daily paper in
the Exposition city.
~
An unexpected and vigorous attack
upon the present civil service system was
made in the House on the 18th inst,
when vote was obtained to strike out
the appropriation for the payment of the
salaries of the Civil Service Commission
ers. Representative Hepburn of Iowa,
led the attack and was seconded by Gen.
Grosvenor of Ohio. Mr.. Hepburn would
make the heads of departments sole
judges of fitness for appointment, and
give them the power of dismissal. As
matters now stand the civil service law
provides no permanency of tenure. On
the 18th inst. the House reconsidered its
vote and the appropriation stands.
~
There is still much excitement in the
departments among the clerks because
they are required to work seven hours out
of twenty-four. Pension Commissioner
Ware issued the following order which
covers the whole ground "Let us faith
fully carry out the 4:3o order of the de-
partment. The taxpayer on the outside
is working from to 16 hours day."
~
Among the subjects presented to Con-
gress for consideration are the following
A reorganization of the volunteer naval
forces; an investigation of the ship SUBJ
sidy plan; new service pension bill
which proposes to give all honorably dis
charged soldiers who served go days and
have reached 81 years of age the sum of
$I2 per month; a scheme of promotion in
the army by selection as recommended in
the Presidents message; and bill for the
admission of Territories as States.
*x*
1t has been decided in Congress that
too many private carriages are supported
in Washington out of government appro-
priations. Representative Lands said
that if they were lined up Oh Pennsyl-
vania avenue they would extend from the
Capitol to the White House. The head
of one of the departments sent in an esti,
mate for seven coachmen. The House
adopted an amendment providing that
only the President. the heads of execu-
tive departments, and the secretary to the
President should have carriages at the
public expense.