River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-01-12
The Rumored Change of Base in
Washington Concerning the
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty.
The Liquor Traffic in Congress--De-
partmental Changes--M Minor
Capital Notes.
THE cLAYToN-BULwER TREATY.

Britain in relation to the Clavton-Bul-
wer treaty. The impression which OBJ
tains in these circles is that the CORE
spondence is of an entirely different
nature from that which was recently
made public. Neither Secretary Ere
linghuvsen nor j. G. Bancroft Davis
approve of Mr.. Blaine's method of dip
lomatic negotiation. The present Adj
ministration. however, does feel dis
posed TO make an effort, in the tradit-
ional way, to arrange with Great
Britain, if it be possible, for certain
notifications of the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty. It is understood that informal
and unofficial information from Great
Britain induces the belief that the
Home Office at London would be
pleased to learn what suggestions this
Government has to make. Some of
the diplomats are inclined to think
that negotiations have proceeded even
further than this. 1t is now known
that no diplomatic correspondence, for
a long time, has caused such excite
ment in the diplomatic corps as that
which Mr.. Blaine published just before
retiring from the State Department.
Most Of the legations here regarded the
Lowell note as direct and positive
menace, and were very apprehensive
that it and its publication might lead
to very serious complications. 1t is
learned in semi-otfcial way that soon
after the publication of the Lowell note
it received very serious consideration
in the London Home Office. There its
tone and its publication, contrary to pre-
cedent, were regarded as so unusual
as to almost compel an explanation. 1t
was looked upon in the light of men,
ace, but, for the skillful and delicate
action of Mr.. Lowell, as well as for
other reasons, the note would have en-
dangered to a greater or less extent our
friendly relations with Great Britain.
The London Home Office, however,
partly through this action of Mr.. Lowell
and partly from information received
from this country, privately and by the
public statements of the press, became
satisfied that Mr.. Blaine's manner as
we'll as the tone of his note did not pre-
sent the sentiment of the new Admins
tration, although the letter was written
while Gen. Arthur was President and
while, therefore, to a certain extent he
was responsible for it. 1t is now under
stood at the London Home Office pre-
cisely how far Gen. Arthur's RESPONSE
bility extended. They also understand
that the letter was written during the
unsettled condition of the Cabinet, and
that the President would, when his new
and permanent Secretary of State took
office, make his views known in man.
ner that could not mar the friendly re-
lations which the President desires the
two countries to entertain toward one
another.
Gen. Arthur was visited by a prom
inent public man here just after Mr..
Blaine's letter was published. 1t was
suggested to him by this man, who has
had very long experience in public af-
fairs, that such letter published at
such time, might very seriously en-
barrass him at the threshold of his Adj
ministration. The Presidents reply
treasured his visitor. He said there
need be no occasion for any anxiety
over the matter, for he should see to it
that the British Government could not
possibly misunderstood that it was his
wish, and, as he believed, the wish of
the American people, that there should
be no interruption to the friendly re-
lations of the two countries. 1t is be-
lieved, therefore, that one of the vely
first acts Of Secretary Frelinghuysen
was to signify, while making sugges-
tons for negotiations, the earnest desire
of the President for an amicable adjust
ment of the question involved.
THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.-The House Sc
lect committee on the alcoholic liquor
traffic is composed of nine members,
of whom seven are understood to be
in favor of Frohibitory measures. The
National Temperance Society has been
endeavoring for years to secure restric-
tive legislation from Congress on this
subject. Two or three times bills with
this object in view have passed the
senate, but have not met with favor
able reception in the house. In all the
votes and debates in the two houses it
has been seen that the republicans were
almost solidly in favor of the restric-
tive legislation and the democrats al
most solidly opposed it. The demo-
Gratis being in the majority in the
house accounts therefore, for the failure
to act on the senate bills sent to that
body, or on bills introduced by indi-
yidual members of the house with the
same object in view. Now that the re-
publicans have full control of the house,
and practical control of the senate,
those interested are expecting that the
house committee above alluded to will
soon report bill to provide for COM
mission to investigate the whole sub
iect of the liquor traffic; with the ulti-
mate object in view of adopting such
legislation as will, so far as it is posi-
BILE for the National Legislature to do
it, tend to suppress or reduce the
traffic, and as the two houses are now
constituted there is thought to be q
strong probability of the passage of
such bill. Whether congress can
enact any legislation effectual enough
to abate intemperance and reduce the
enormous traffic in alcoholic liquors
admits of grave doubt, judging from
the experience of local legisla-
ton. Where congress would find the
source to supply the enormous revenue
received from distilled and fermented
spirits, amounting for the last fiscal
year to $80,000000, is problematical,
although as contended by the advocates
of suppression of the traffic, it may
cost the people of the country many
times that amount in industry,
health, in length of life, in taxes, in
the maintenance of the law, in previ-
sion for poor houses, penitentiaries,
and hospitals.
DEPARTMENTAL CHANGES.
WAsHINGTo N, Jan. 3-The impress
sion prevails here that before the year
is many days old there will be num-
Der Of important departmental changes.
1t is almost certain that Secretary
Kirkwood will retire from the interior
department, and he is reported to be
pretty well satisfied himself that this
is the case Another change said to
be set down for an early date will be in
the Office of solicitor of the treasury.
Judge Rayner, the present occupant,
was appointed by President Hayes, but
has never had liking for the position,
although he has held it in hopes of get
ting judicial position. When he took
the office it was with the distinct under
standing with Hayes that he was to be
appointed to the court of claims the
first time vacancy occurred. Hayes
broke faith with him twice, but Rayner
has not despaired, and it may be that
his ambition is now to be gratifed, as
the appointment of Bancroft Davis to
the assistant secretarYship of state has