Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-02-05
(From our regular correspondent.

Wednesday was devoted to what
may properly be called November talk
in the House. Boutelle, Republican,
OF Illinois, and Williams, of Missis-
sippi, the Democratic leader, outlin-
ing the policies of their respective par
ties for the Presidential campaign
They called it a debate, and perhaps
thought they were debating, but in
fact they were merely rehearsing their
first campaign speeches. Both cham
pions are facile and witty and caustic,
and they held the interested attention
OF House and galleries. Mr.. Boutelle
said the platform OF the Republican
party would consist of its record; that
prosperity would be its shibboleth;
that Roosevelt was its preordained cam
didate, and that he would have as
large majority as Lincoln, Grant, or
Mckinley. He brushed aside like
summer flies the "pestilent allega-
tons" about Panama and the Presi-
dents imperious and imperial mood
and manner, and referred the question
to the people. Mr.. Williams prompt.
ly took up the challenge and retorted
that the platform OF the Democratic
party would also be the record of the
Republican party; that the word i'm
petuosity" by no means covered the
allegations against the President; that
man with his temperament was not
a safe leader; that the silver question
had been relegated to the rear; and
that the Republican party must stand
pat on its " military-camp- grab-nation-
imperial policy of indefinite colonial
ton"
Members OF both branches of Con-
gress have commented on Mr.. Bryan's
bold speech in New York City, Tues
day night, insisting upon a reafiirma-
ton Of the last national platforms.
Those who have counted noses affirm
that there are 1872 Democrats in Con-
gress against the Nebraskan's insist
ance, and only seven in favor. Mean
time, the five Democratic Congress
men from New England allege that
Mr.. Bryan's contention will find no
support in the 50 New England votes
in the Democratic convention.
The admirers Of General Miles have
announced this week that he is a re-
ceptive candidate for the Democratic
nomination for President. This causes
lively discussion in Congress aud the
local newspapers. He will be brought
forward as a harmonizer of the hostile
factions and feelings of the party, be-
ing inimical to none. Asked if the
South would vote for him, Congress
man Burleson of Texas said to your
correspondent: Why, OF course the
South would vote for him. He is q
brave and gallant man, and we never
hold enmities above one generation"
Senator Daniel, of Virginia, says:
1.-THE South would cast her entire cleo.
toral vote for him. The war is over, |
believe" Representative Richardson,
of Tennessee, late Democratic leader,
says: Amy of the candidates men,
toned would make good President,
but General Miles is great combina.
ton of admirable qualities. He is at
peace with all sections OF the Demo-
cratic party. He has never been a
party wrangler. He stands where
Harrison stood in 1910. That soldier
was nominated and run without plat
form except promise to faithfully full
fill the trust. The campaign cry was
'Tippecanoe, Tecumseh, Log Cabins
and Hard Cider'-and be was elected
by four-tifths Of the entire electoral
vote of the country"
One great evil in our postotfice sys-
tenn would have been reformed long
ago if the people had been fully in
formed about it. John Wanamaker
says that the rate charged by our post.
Office for merchandise is Elk thousand
per cent. greater than that charged by
Germany. A package can be sent
from Scotland to Oregon for one.half
what it costs to send it from Washing.
ton to Baltimore, although the former
transportation would involve its car.
riage across the Atlantic and across
the entire United States. Great Brit
ain carries a package from Edinburgh
through London, the Atlantic ocean
and Suez canal, TO India and Hong
kong. and delivers it for twelve cents a
pound, about what the United States
charges to carry it from Washington
to Baltimore. These facts are grad
ually sinking into the consciousness of
the American people, and the remon.
STRANGE of the American Board OF
Trade in this city last weeks stands
some chance of being listened to.
There was a full Cabinet meeting
yesterday and for an hour and half
Panama affairs were discussed. There
seemed to be apprehensions that Uncle
Sans way on the isthmus is not plain,
nor HE burden light. Perhaps the
cable had brought news of the approach
along tide water of Colombian army;
perhaps that the French canal COM
pany had kicked over the traces and
come forward with a demand of add.
tional millions. We were told that
the news was embarrassing" but
what it was those who knew would not
reveal. Senator Morgan. the Nestor
OF the Senate on this question, antici.
pates fresh demand, on the ground
that the bargain to deliver the Panama
property for $40, 5000 was made un.
der duress, and therefore is not bind
ing. The Democrats in Congress, even
those who will vote for the treaty, do
not expect to see a canal across the
isthmus Of Panama in forty years.
The Mississippi Senators will disobey
the instructions of their Legislature
and vote against the treaty. Dem.
THE largest spruce tree in the world,
is in Gods valley in the south fork of
the Nehalem valley, Oregon. II is u