The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-03-25
Washington Letter.
from our Regular Correspondent


WASHINGTON, D. G., Mar. co. '91
The President, In common with every
other good citizen, deeply regrets the oc-
currences at New Orleans which made II
necessary for citizens of that town to take
the law into their own hands by killing
the murderers belonging to the notorious
"Mafa," but there is absolutely no founda-
tion for the sensational newspaper dis
patches that have been sent out from here
concerning the International complica-
tions arising from the protest made by the
Italian Minister. Neither the President
nor Mr.. Blaine considers it mater for
national interference and the telegram
sent.by Mr.. Blaine to the Governor of
Louisiana was simply courtesy extend
ed to the Italian Minister as the represen-
tative of a friendly foreign power, and
evidently Baron De Fava, the Italian Min
lister, regards it in precisely the same
light, judging from the cool reception he
gave the staggering Italian delegation
from Chicago, which came here full of
silly vaporings about demanding salts
isfaction at the mouth Of Italian cannon.
He told them that their visit here was
entirely unnecessary and that his govern
ment was entirely satisfied to leave the
matter In the hands of the American
authorities.
II is thought by Government officials
that If it can be fully established that II
any of the men killed were subjects Of
Italy, which is at the present time in
dispute, that the President may recon.
mend a small Congressional appropri.
tion for their families, more as gratuity
than as indemnity
The Treasury Department has given
the Wall Street gold spectators bad
black eye by refusing, under the recently
enacted law, TO exchange gold bars for
gold com, unless the applicants for the ex-
change will pay the cost of converting
the coin into bars. Acting Secretary Of
the Treasury Nettlelon says Of this action:
"An act passed at the recent session Of
Congress leaves it discretionary with the
Secretary of the Treasury whether or not
to receive gold coin at the mint or Assay
office and deliver therefor gold bars of
equal value. The act fixes charge for
such exchanges when made equal to the
Government cost of converting the coin
into bars, which is at present 4 cents per
800. The action under the new law in
declining 10 furnish $1,00OO00 in gold
bars for shipment abroad was based ON
the belief that il Is not good business
policy fol the United States Government
to 60 out of its way to facilitate the exit
Of gold from this country. The new
practice, whether il shall prove perma-
nent or Otherwise. conforms In effect to
the policy Of European nations and will
undoubtedly furnish wholesome check
to the often needless and speculative
expectation of American gold"
Spain is disposed to play the hog in re-
gard to a reciprocity treaty with Cuba.
Not satisfied with having Cuban sugar
admitted free, she wants to include Cuban
tobacco before agreeing to admit our
products and manufactures free to the
island. This will not go down with the
administration and Hon. j. W. Foster
ex-U. $. Minister TO Spain, has been sent
10 that country to so stale 10 the Spanish
government, and also TO inform 1t that
unless a reciprocity treaty Is negotiated the
President will, under the authority vested
in him by the Mckinley act tariff ordered
the retention of the tariff upon Cuban
sugar. This will probably bring the
Hidalgo's to their senses very quickly.