The Dawson journal., 1884-01-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.


! FSA'''' nave AOAACN Jaw
TO the city, fresh from their consritu
ents aud full of 'views.' It is notice.
! able that some come back
IN combative mood. The
outlook is squally, and in
dications are that the tariff will
stir up a lively legislative whirlwind
But at present the two great commit
tees of the House, those of the out
go and The income, as Mr. Cox witt
| ly describes them, entertain different
views upon tariff legislation. Mr..
Morrison, chairman of the latter,
wants long session and tariff legis-
lation, while Mr. Randsll wishes TO
hurry up the outgo in the shape of
the appropriation bills, have a short
session, and adjourn without tariff
legislation. The air is unusually fruit
ful of rumors OF what is to be done.
There is certainly q general grow
ing impression in Congress that
something must be done for our
Navy and coast defense. When one
seriously considers it, our negligence
i'll the matter Of providing suitable
defenses for our great cities is little
less than criminal, and Congressman
are beginning to realize this. A
prominent member of one Of the
Houses Of Congress-, who made
tour through Europe last summer,
had opportunity to learn how our
defenses appeared to other nations.
He says that among the first ques-
tions asked him by leading French
politicians were "What are the in
tentions of the United States gov
ernment in regard to the Lessep's
Canal VIII the theory enunciated in
the Monroe doctrine be adhered to :"
'Your country is not strong enough
said Mr.. Challemel- Lacom, man.
Der of the French Cabinet, to him
while discussing this matter, din ma
val and military forces to compel any
European nation to accept your the
ory of the supremacy of Americ IN
ideas on the North American conti-
nent. Holding the opinions you do,
1t is the wonder of all Europe that
you have permitted your means of
defense and offense, that is, your
army and Navy, to become 80 reduc-
ed. Your Navy has not a single
modern ship of war. How, then, do
you intend to maintain the Monroe
doctrine if France questions your
right of interference with the Les
sap's Canal 2" The American rather
shamefacedly said that doctrine had
been the time honored theory of the
| Government when it was less strong
than it now is. II admit your wealth,
but not your physical poser,' was
the sharp answer. 'The gloly OF
the great country across the sea is an
actual threat to every nation in Eu-
rope except France, and nothing
would so please them as TO witness
your bumilation. Why there is not
q first class fortiicalion on the whale
| American coast line. 1t takes a
whole year to build a first class mod.
ern gun. Your cities would be she'll
ed and sacked and laid under tribute
while you were creating a navy, and
how could you rebuild your fortifica
tions with 1000 pound shells falling
about the ears Of the workingmen
! Be sure that your dafenseIess conoi.
tion IS thoroughly well known anc
commented upon by every power il
Europe, and sooner or later youl
humiliation will come if you persis
in your course Of allowing the rict
cities of the Atlantic seaboard to be
come temptation by their defense
lessness to the cupidity or arroganc,
of the irouclads of the weakest powe,
IN Europe" l have repeated onl,
Ill part the material portions Of thi
most inter esting conversation. Th,
member intends offering a resolution
relative to the Lesseps Canal this ses
sion, and lie viii repeat on the foo
discussing it what is said in the in
| terview above
The report of the acting Secretar,
OF the Senate for the last fiscal yea
develops some curious facts anc
figures, relative to Senat orial bever
ages, pills, etc. 1t shows that So
} quarts of Apollinaris and SIG quarts
of Bethesda water were consumed b,
that body. The water is kept il
bottles upon ice in the cloak rooms
and until last year Members of tn