Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-12-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Washington, Dec. 18th, 1888.
Mr.. Blaine has telegraphed to friends
here. in answer to an inquiry. stating
that he has not been rendered q port
folio in Gen. Harrison's cabinet. The
inquiry was made because IL was posi-,
lively stated here that he had been ten
dered, and had accepted the State port
folio. Among prominent Republicans
in Congress there is still considerable
doubt as to whether Mr.. Blaine will
be in the Cabinet, but from the best in
formation can obtain believe that he
will be the next Secretary of State.
The Senate committee on the improve
ment of the Mississippi river and its
tributaries have decided to make an adj
verse report on The bill to make the Lake
Borgue outlet for the flood waters Of
the Mississippi. This is the plan sub
mitted by Capt John Cowden, and
which he has long urged as substitute
for the Eads jctty system.
The House committee on manufac-
lures, which has for year been en-
gagged in investigating the numerous
,'trusts" throughout the country, has
not yet decided what should be done
with such combinations, at it is not a /
all likely that it will ever arrive at u
decision. The election is however and
the Democrats can make no more polit-
ical capital by fighting trusts. 50 there
is 10 be no more fighting. That's the
plain English Of the matter.
The Senate is not masking progress
with the tariff bill, and many people
are now prophesYing that it will not be
passed before February.
The bill placing Gen W. S. Rose
Grams, at present register Of the Treas
ury. on the retired list of the Army.
with the rankDf Brigadier General, has
been favorably reported to the Senate.
The Democrats Of the House, by the
action Of caucus held last week, ac-
knowledge that they have been acting
wrong in refusing admittance to Tern
tories entitled to enter the union as
States. Having been so badly defeated
in election. they are now prepared to
confess their past misdeeds, and to re-
peat them rs soon as they think any
advantage can be thereby gained. The
Caucus decided that Dakota may come
in as one, or two States as the people
of the two proposed States may here.
after decide, IGNORING the fact of the
people of Dakota have already decided
in favor Of two .States) also, that the
Territories of Washington, Montana
and New Mexico may be admitted, pro-
vided that all shall be admitted in one
bill. The Caucus also decided that a
separate bill providing for an admission
of Utah should be proposed Whether
the Republicans Of the Senate will nc
cept the House bills providing for the
admissions or leave the whole matter to
the Fifteenth Congress cannot at this
time be sald.
Representative Batterwerth, in intro
ducing joint resolution looking 10 the
annexation Of Canada by the United
States, has given the country and Can
ada very interesting subject Of discus
sion Most men whom | have heard
speak on the sheet for year or Two
past have expressed the opinion that
sooner or later the United States would
absorb both Canada aud Mexico, the
only difference of opinion being as to
how long and in what manner the abb
sorption shall take place. whether the
country shall DO secured by peaceablc
negotiations and purchase or by force
Of arms. Mr.. Butterworth's plan for
the annexation Of Canada, is. il is need
less to say. . peassable ole He pro-