The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-10-22
Washington Letter.
Oct. 10, 1861


The President and his official adj
visers formed what might be aptly
called 'happy family" at the last
Cabinet meeting, and there was am
pie cause for happiness on the part
of the men who control and shape
the policy of the present administra-
ton, which promises to occupy a
proud position in the history of our
country, particularly that portion
treating of the enlargement and ex-
tension of American commerce, with
foreign countries. Although the
official announcement cannot yet be
made it is known that a reciprocity
agreement has been made with Ger
many that will either allow American
wheat to enter that country free of
duty or admit all American grain at
merely nominal duty. Isn't that
good news? Particularly when it is
estimated that Germany, on account
of her short crop, will want at least a
hundred million bushels of our sur
plus wheat this year There was
also another cause for rejoicing at
the Cabinet meeting. Minister Por-
ter, who represents the United
States at Rome, Italy, has succeeded
in getting the Italian government to
follow the lead of Germany and Den
mark and agree to remove all re-
strictions upon the importation of
American pork. No wonder Secre-
tary Rusk's kindly face beams these
DAYS. He accepted the Agricultural
portfolio because he believed that he
could be of service to the farmers Of
/ the country, and he isjustly proud to
be a member of an administration
which has already done more for
American farmers than any single
administration in the history Of the
country. Reciprocity has extended
and will continue to extend our COM
merce, while the meat inspecsion
law. the passage of which was large
" due to the personal efforts Of Sec
rotary Rusk, is nobly doing its part
towards enriching the American far
mer.
The democrats have been unusual
" unfortunate in their recent mis-
tatements. Everybody remembers
the announcement made with great
flourish of trumpets in democratic
newspapers about the that Hon.
Frederick Douglass resigned as U.
S. Minister to Hayti, to the effect
that Mr.. Douglass was very much
down on the administration and that
he proposed leading revolt among
the colored voters against Mr.. Har-
rison's denomination. Of course
nobody who knew Mr.. Douglass
placed the slightest credence in the
story at the time it was started, and
now. for the benefit of those who do
not know him, it can be stated that
he made the most effective denial
possible, in lecture here this week,
by announcing himself as being in
favor of a second term for Mr.. Har-
rison.
The loss of the U. S. Despatch
which for some years has been
know as the presidents boat" re-
moves vessel that has long been
called by the sailors "Jonah," be-
cause of the many accidents which
have happened to her. 1t is proba-
bic that she would have been con-
demned soon, if she had not been
wrecked
Secretary Tracy and Commander
Folger, chief of the Bureau of Ord
nance of the Navy, paid an official
visit to the Bethlehem Iron works, at
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, this week,
in order to inspect the forging of the
steel that is being used to make the
new guns for our navy, guns which
experts pronounce to be the best of
their class in the world. The Secre-
tary expresses himself as being well
pleased with what he saw.
This is the first week Of the Octo-
Der term of the Supreme Court. but
all the big cases have been postponed
until next month owing to the alb
sence of Chief Justice Fuller and the
illness of Justices Gray and Bradley.
The President broke the record
this week while receiving the mem.
bers of the Epworth League by .shak-
ing hands with 100 people in twenty
three minutes.
It is understood that the vacancy
in the Court of Claims will be filled
before the Court meets for the fall
term, which it will do on the last
Monday in this month, and there is
an impression among those usually
we'll informed that ex-Representative
Thompson, of Ohio, will receive the
appointment.
Mr.. Halford, the Presidents pri
vate secretary, who has been quite
III ic now im0rovino thouph not vet