Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-05-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.
IRON our regular c,rs.po paept.I

I lErom our regular Oouoe ndept
WASHINGTON. d. c., April 2s. 1890.
The injustice and absurdity ofthe Me-
Kinley tariff bill excited such general
disse tisfaction that the Republicans
are obliged to abandon it. 1t Is con-
ceeded that the bill can never become
a law. but the Republican majority in
the House has so thoroughly commit
ted itself that the bill is expected to
pass the House by strict party vote.
In the meantime the republicans Of the
Senate Finance committee are at work
on another bill a. substitute for the
Mckinley bill. They expect to report
1t to the Senate very soon after the
Mckinley bill passes the House.
This shows the impotence Of Mr.. Nc
Kinley's specious oratory, that capti-
Yates a careless crowd, to convince the
business interests of the country of the
propriety Of q single idea he entertains
on the subject oftariff.
The Republican joint caucus commit
tee of the House and Senate have agreed
upon the basis for the preparation of a
silver bill. 1t directs the secretary Of
the Treasury to purchase 5000, 900
ounces Of free silver per month at the
market price, not to exceed ST for 81 ,25
grains of pure silver, and issue treasury
notes in payment of the bullion. These
notes shall be payable on demand in
lawful money ofthe United States, and
are receivable for all public dues. No
greater or less amount of such notes
shall be outstanding at anytime than
the cost of the silver bullion than held
in the Treasury, purchased by such
notes. Upon demand of the holder of
any such Treasury notes, the Secretary
of the Treasury may, at his discretion,
pay off such notes with silver bullion
at its market price. The Secretary is
also permitted to coin this bullion,
should it be necessary, for the redemp-
tion of these proposed Treasury notes,
S78, 900, 900 held to redeem the circula-
tion of banks will be restored to gener-
al circulation.
The investigating committee on in
terstate commerce charged with inqui-
ry into the relations of railroads of the
United States and Canada has conclud-
ed its labors. Chairman Cullom has
completed a report which. with sundry
remedial recommendations, awaits
the approval of the committee. The
report states that the good effects of
the interstate commerce law are part
ly nullified by the competition of the
Canadian lines. Unjust discrimina-
tiOn is made by Canada against U. S.
vessels in Welland canal tolls, in vio-
lation of the treaty of Washington.
The Canadian railroads control lines
operating over large part of New
England and Northern States. Cana
da owns system Of canals that cost
$54 100000 The inter-colonial rail-
way has cost SAT 100000. To the Can
adian Pacific railroad, which was be-
gun as government line Canada has
$2l5 ,000, 900 but the road cost only $176,- =
O0O, 900. The report states that 1t has
been the inconcealed purpose of the
Canadian government to secure a rail-
road across the continent of command
ing influence which in connection with
subsidized steamer lines, would be able
to dominate the transcontinental COM
merce of the United States and defect
from American railroads, vessels and
seaports large share of our commerce
with countries of Asia, Australia and
| New Zealand. In this endeavor it has
met with marked success and is pro-
crossing. Canada subsidies two lines
of Steamers from Vancouver the west
ern terminus of the Canadian r. R.,
with $425, 200; and one line from st.
Johns, N. B., its eastern terminus re-
ceives Subsidy of 100000.
The report refers to conference of
the commercial and Industrial bodies of
the Pacific coast held at San Francisco,
July 1889. The report of the conference
declares that with such special advan-
tages the Canadian Pacific could afford
tOquote rates that must drive the Amer
ican steamer lines out of the China
trade, to the almost irreparable injury
of San Francisco and predicts general
destruction for the larger part of the
American steamer traffic on the Pacif-
ic ocean, unless some vigorous measures
be adopted by the U. S. Government.
A bill to make territory of Oklaho-
ma has passed the Senate; so yeas 5
nays. Whenever the Indian interests
in surrounding territory shall be extin-
guished it will be annexed to Oklaho-
ma. The laws of Nebraska are extend
ed over the new territory.