The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1885-01-19

whats tho matter with the treaties2"
inquired Member to-day, addressing a
CRITIC man. Don't know? Well, there's
something wrong with them" continued
the statesman, land if they are not agi-
tated, and that pretty soon, the subject will
die"
Anything now? ?" inquired THE CRITIC.
No; and that Is what / am talking
about. There should be something new
about the treaties pending-something new
every day-for the time is short aud tho
issues very important. If IL is intended
that they should become laws, there is not
a moment to lose. | observe that the meet
ings which the Senate Committee ON For
eign Relations have been holding have gone
fiat, and there has been little mention
made Of treaties. it is said, in executive
sessions of the Senate of late. SO far as
one can see, there Is no earthly show for
any Of the treaties
"There may be some secret work going
on but that Is not likely. Something seems
to have taken the life out of the subject,
despite the fact that thousands of names to
petitions from the people throughout the
country are received daily, all asking in
steptorian tones that the treaties be rati-
fed.
Every soon after the agitation of trade
with foreign countries by means of re-
ciprocal treaties was begun" continued the
Member, there were good many romon-
strances received. Then, when the Spanish
treaty was negotiated, there came deluge
Of objections, nearly all from cigarmakers.
Now, however, the tide has turned In favor
of this and other treaties, but no visible
action follows. 1t has been suggested that
l.,s NIo Il
on the eve of change of administration, to
take step Of this kind, and that il was
probable that the majority in the Senate
would refuse TO do anything on the subject
of treaties even though tho House was will
ing TO indorse it.
ALREADY there is depression Of trade -
especially in manufactured goeds-aud
some of the leading Republicans contend
that the incoming party should be left to
battle with il, and that to do anything so
positive in its connection with commerce
as the ratification of treaty would be in
advisable, because If it proved an unfOrtu-
nate step the Republican party would be
blamed for it, and If a blessing, the Demo-
Gratis would receive the credit"
From the character of communications
being received by Members and Senators
now, it is seen that In commercial centres
East good deal of interest Is felt In the
Nicaraguan treaty. 1t is claimed for that
that 1t will give the United States short,
quick route to some countries we have had
little to do with, and that we would at
once occupy some markets and commerce
now taken by England. But Esds came
here with his ship railway scheme aud his
mysterious experts and charts and inexpli-
cable talk, and after short stay left, an
nouncipg shat his opposition settled the
Nicaraguan treaty canal and kindred pro-
jects.
The announcement that it is not neces-
sary for the House to take action ON treat.
les by giving them enacting clauses does
not seem to mako it any more probable
that any of the treaties are to be put into
effect, even If tho discovery is correct.
The fear seems to arise from an apprehen-
sion that the Senate will not act In time to
complete the work before Congress ad-
iourns. AS a Member said to-day, This
seems to be an of year for treaties"