Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-12
The NEW SPANISH TREATY
Walking Spanish Not the Popular
Thing.
OPEN DISCUSSION PROPOSED
thursdays Proceedings in the Halls Of the
Nations Representatives in
Congress Assembled.
OUR GT0N SPECIAL,
S,,ecidg 10 TIE Register.


WASHINGTON, December 1.-THE general
dullness of the present session of Congress
is the subject Of much comment among all
old denizens of Washington. There appears
to be nothing to stir the latent energies of
Congressman and Senators, and even the
new Spanish treaty is handled with some
thing approximating to carelessness by even
those Representatives who are most inter
ested in preventing its confirmation, and
while Senators look wise they are not as
rule inclined to express any opinion on the
subject.
1t takes two-thirds majority to confirm
treaty in the Senate and it has not been for
gotten that the Mexican treaty was put
through in the last session by a majority OF
only one more vote than was absolutely
necessary. 1t did not have opposed to it
the vital forces which are prepared to eat
the life out of the Spanish reciprocity ar
rangement and the wise ones are therefore
arguing that the treaty will be defeated.
They seem to forget two things. First.
That the free traders are far stronger than
than they ever have been before in that
popular backing, which has been wonderful
in the election of Grover Cleveland and
second, that the prote2tionistS who would
naturally oppose reciprocity on principle are
unhampered by the prevailing business de-
preston which demands some legislative
action to stimulate the foreign market.
A Dead Set.
Of course nobody is prepared to claim as
yet that the treaty will certainly be con-
Grmed. But the result is still in doubt and
there is no question that dead set for its
confirmation will be made by the interests
of New York, Pennsylvania, and the wheat
growing States of the West. On the other
hand the opposition Of Virginia and Louis
lana may bring to the defeat of the measure
most of the votes of the Southern States
unless the cotton interest which is affected
by the some tOree which governs the wheat
producers, and the strong anxiety.for an out
side market should step in to alter that ten
dency in which case the treaty will surely be
confirmed.
The Educational bill, either in the Blair
or Willis form, is at present almost sure OF
adoption, but with considerable vote in
opposition in each House.
1t looks now as though Congress would
not in any way hasten its holiday recess for
the purpose of attending the New Orleans
Exposition. But very general interest in
that Exposition is expressed, and large
| proportion Of members will go down wheth-
er Congress adjourns or not.
One of the most important gatherings
that Washington has seen in a long time is
| the National Conference of health Boards
which met at the Ebbitt House yesterday.
The fear very generally expressed everywhere
| that we NAV see touch of Asiatic cholera
in the spring, lends an unusual interest to
the deliberations of this body. A very
large proportion Of physicians are present
and every effort will be made to concert
and plan for doing all that can be done to
prevent this scourge from gaining foot
hold on our shores.
The first thing done by the conference
will be to issue an appeal to Congress to re-
habilitate the National Health Board or to
provide for the organization of an efficient
substitute, and it is claimed that if properly
| orranized such q body can do more than
anything else to accomplish the end in
| view.
Congress will also be advised to give the
President power to issue q proclamation
prohibiting immigration from infected dis.
tricts in other countries. Thisis an unusual
power, but it will not be abused either by
| General Arthur or Mr.. Cleveland, and
seems to be a necessary measure.
A good deal of fun is enjoyed here among
| New Workers at the expense of the persons
who started the newspaper rumor that
| General Arthur's friends were in consterna-
| ton over the New York Senatorship be-
| cause Warner Miller had declared that he
would not cooperate with them in any way.
II is an open secret that Miller did help to
| Give Jim" Warren the Craftsmanship OF the
State Committee in the last campaign but
| is known by every one who knows
anything about New York politics here that
| ia the next Legislature the genial, rublcund
| and State-fed Senator from New York will
not have cOrporars guard that he can con;
troll Arthur is not candidate himself
but if Levi P. Morton gets the support oi
the Cornell men, as Silas B. butcher says
he can. Miller can have no more effect IN
his attempt to defeat him than the Pope
bull had against the comet.
The appointment of Oliver P. Gibbens a;
postmaster at Charleston, Kanawha county
West Virginia was sent in to the
Senate By President Arthur. Itis said thai
the appointment is one of those recommend
ed by Congressman Gof. j. A.
MEXICAN PENSION BILL.