Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-01-06
The Liquor Traffic in Congress--D De-
partmental Changes--M Minor
Capital Notes.
THE CLAYTON -BULwER TREATY.

made public Neither Secretary Ere
hnghuysen nor ]. c. Bancroft Davis
approve of Mr.. Blaine's method of dip
lomatic negotiation. The present Adj
ministration. however, does feel dis
posed 10 make an effort, III the tradit-
ional way, to arrange with Great
Britain, if it be possible, for certain
notifications Of the Clayton Bulwer
treaty. L: 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 10 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 apprehcnsive
that it and its publication might lead
to very serious complications 1t is
learned i'll semi-otficial 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 rs 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, rs well MS for
other reasons, the note would have en-
dangered to 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 MS
well as the tone of his note did not pre-
sent the sentiment of the new Admins
tratlon, although the letter was written
while Gen. Arthur was President and
while, therefore, to certain extent he
was responsible for ii. it 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 a 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 Ivy prom
inent public man here just after Mr.
Blaines 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
reassured his visitor. He said there
need be no occasion for any anxiety
over the matter, for he should see to il
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-
tions 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
lcct committee on the alcoholic liquor
traffic is composed of nine members,
of whom seven are understood to be
in favor of prohibitory 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 a favor
able reception in the house. In all the
votes and debates III 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-
! vidual members Of the house with the
same object in view. Now that the re-
| pubHcans have full control of the house
and practical control Of the senate
those interested are expecting that the
house committee above alluded to viii
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
| l.. = I'LL "a ~ -
BILE for tile National Legislature to dc
it, tend to suppress or reduce the
traffic, and as the two houses are non
constituted there is thought to be a
strong probability of the passage oi
such a bill. Whether congress can
enact any legislation efectual enough
to abate intempersnce 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 fscal
| year to Sc, 90, 900, is problematicai,
although as contended by the advocate:
of suppression Of the traffic, it may
! cost the people of the country many
times that amount in industry, II
health, in length Of life, in taxes, il
the maintenance Of the law, in previ
sion for poor houses, penitentiaries
and hospitals.
DEPARTMENTAL CHANGES.
= WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.-The impres
sion prevails here that before the yeal
Is many days old there viii be mum
Der of important departmental changes
IT is almost certain that Secretary
Kirkwood viii retire from the interior
department, and he is reported to b'
pretty well satisfied himself that thi
il the case. Another change said t.
be set down for an carly date will be il
the Office of solicitor of the treasury
Judge Rayner, the present occupant
was appointed by President Hayes, bu
has never had liking for the position
| alfhouoh he has held II in b0pea of GET