Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-03-16
WASHINGTON LETTER.
CFrom our Regular CORES pondeni.

Washington, ID. c.. March 10 The
rate situation is such that one who
could figure 1t out would be able to
make a competency at mind reading.
Both parties are undeniably split over
1t. The leaders on neither side want
to admit this. but the thing has gone
far beyond party lines and with many
members beyond even the question of
supporting the President or of stand
ing together on great national Issue.
1t is every man playing his own hand
for the most part and IN the confusion
the railroads ought to be able to insert
any old sort of provision into the law
and perhaps get it through with little
scrutiny at the last moment. Of course
the President and his close friends are
standing staunchy by the original
Hepburn bill and it is understood that
they are entirely favorable to q provi-
sion for a conservativeIy wOrded court
review clause. Debate will begin In
earnest on Monday at least a dozen
Senators and Representatives will surge
forward with long speeches they would
like to deliver and failing that would
be willing to ''extend their remarks in
the Record" Everybody will want
to say something and there will be- at
least fourteen amendments offered,
come of which will receive serious con
slderation and others will be dealt
with more cavaiierly. The only thing
certain Is that the legislation, what
ever it turns out to be will not be near
~ so satisfactory as the President
would like to see.
''Underneath the Starry Flag,
Civillze 'em with Krag.
And return us to our own beloved
Homes"
That was the song the soldiers used
to sing in the Philippines, and Gen.
Wood sssms TO have taken the advice
to heart in dealing with the Moros to
judge by the dispatch to the State De.
partment this week. Six hundred
Mores, alleged to be band of out
laws are reported to have been wiped
out to man with smaller but still con-
loss on the American side.
whether the annihllated band were
merely cattle thieves OF people with q
deal or fsncied grievance will never be
definitely known for they are all too
dead to testify. and their friends, il
obey have any will paint them all as
martyrs and their enemies as the exact |
opposite. Gen. Wood, who command |
ed at this slaughter Of the natives, re- |
ports that the whole of the island of |
j olo is quiet. 1t very well might be
after that sort of lesson. Possibly
that way of dealing with the natives
may be the most humane after all.
They have been used to a rule hereto
ore in which any display of leniency
Was sign OF timidity. and possibly it
nay take some harsh lessons to teach
hem that the United States is not as a
Whole that sort Of a country. 1t is
ather hard on the natives, but as long
Is we have the islands we will have to
andle them or else they will very
promptly handle US or at least such of
Is as accept the generous offer of the
government to go out there and get
not at for $13 per month.
The government, if 1t wants to ad
Minister course of training of this
Ort, is fortunate in having General
GOD there. He is gentleman who
oes not ''shun the gentle lime light
or shirk the public way" He is a
God lighter, no one would deny that.
ut rather too prone to hunt for trou.
le around the corner instead of mere.
; meeting it halfway. There will be
lot of talk in Congress about this
st piece of brutality" ItprobabIy
as brutal and may or may not have
cen necessary. But it is safe to say
lat any Congressional talk will end
talk and in ten days the mere fact
lat 800 Moros have been perma emily
)acified," will have been forgotten in
e hurry Of more urgent and practical
easure before Congress-
will be made to Judge
at the April term of the Cir
it court of Pocahontas for charter
cooperating the town OF Durbin.
election will be held on the ques-
n on the 2Sth instant.
Durbln was unknown before the c.
y. Ry. reached that point about 4
ars ago.