Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-04-04
BLAINE BEGUILED.
A Press Ways Joke on the
State Secretary.
FRENoHMAN HUNG IN THE PARK,

But 1t Proved To Be Bronze and tn.
Premier Observation-Disclosures Discussion
of the Question of States Rights in
Connection with international Oblica
tions-A Related CabIeSram said t.
Have Caused the Imbroglio-The Lat
est from Rudini Not Given Out.
WASHINGTON CITY, April AT II
O'Clock yesterday morning Secretary
Blaine walked from his house in Lafay
cite square to the state department, as is
his wont. His face was wreathed in
smiles. So great was his satisfaction al
the latest phase of the Italian situation
that he made no effort to conceal his good
humor. But he was given shock by 9
wag OF a newspaper man, who met him in
Lafayette square and in tones of we'll
feigned excitement said to him;
Mr.. Blaine. our next row will be
with France. Have you heard the news?n
ANo," was the reply.
'Then look to the corner of the park A
gang of American citizens are hanging q
Frenchman within twenty rods of your
home"
III was Bronze Frenchman.
Mr.. Blaine looked, despite his suspicion
that belated April fool joke was being
played on him. Sure enough, at the cor
ner of the square, but a few feet from the
secretary's residence and within plain
view OF the White House, the figure of
a Frenchman was seen dangling in the
air with rope around his neck But it
lt- laA
compatriots of Lafayette, which the work
men engaged in erecting the Lafayette
memorial statue were lifting into place by
means of a derrick Mr.. Blaine evident
ly appreciated the joke, for he laughed
good-humoredly and walked on to the
state department with the air of a man at
peace with himself and all the world. He
repeated the joke at the cabinet meeting.
and Jerry Rusk, who is fond of Jokes
told it TO all his callers at the department
Of agriculture
That States Rights Question Again.
Authorities on international law are
Still discussing what is called the weak
place IN the American system Many of
these men h, Ia that the state department
has assumed ridiculous attitude in at
tempting to evade the responsibility for
the punishment of the New Orleans riot
ers. These claim that the constitution
gives the federal government the power
to make treaties and it is natural to as
sume that it confers upon it the power of
conforming 10 them IN disregard of state
authority. The constitution is the su.
preme law of the land and thus higher
than the state law.
Western Statesman's View.
A western congressman, who is one of
the best authorities on international law.
takes the position that the state depart
ment has acted in strict conformity to our
constitution. at is true" says this au-
thority, that the constitution gives the
federal government a right to live ND to
its treaties, but where is the statute by
which these alleged criminals can be pun
ished? 1t will be necessary for congress
to point to the statute for the punishment
OF the alleged crime. At present we have
none such, this power being delegated to
the states. Whenever this question of en-
acting law for this special case is raised
in congress, the old hue and cry will go
up about governmental interference with
states rights, and it will be impossible to
pass such piece of legislation"
The Action of the State Final.
Continuing, he said that such q law
could not be passed because it would be
eX post facto, "and, said he, "if this state
Of LOUISIANA in the regular course of law,
does not punish these alleged offender
there IS no way by which the offense can
possibly be condoned by the federal gov
ernment. Mr.. Blaine has grasped the sit
nation exactly. If the state of Louisiana
fails to punish. the only remedy that will
be left for the Italian government will be
20 seek an indemnity through the doubt
Jul process of congress, and congress has
demonstrated more than once with what
apathy it acts in such matters"
A Dispatch That Came Too Late.
A report is current that after Baron
Fava had received his instructions to de-
nand his passports, another telegram ar
rived countermauding the instructions.
Minister Porter having made n satisfac-
tory explanation to the Italian govern
1nent. But Fava had already presented
the first cable message, and it was too
late. The date of this imperative tele-
gram shows that it was decided upon i'm
Inediately after the return of Premier
Budini to Rome, and after his interview
with Minister Porter. Rudini was absent
from Rome two or three days during the
tendency of negotiations between Baron
tava and Secretary Blaine and Will.
Minister Porter was attempting TO have
Minister Fava's appeals for delay lis
tened to.
Fava Still at the Capital.
Inquiry last night at Baron Fava's resi-
dence as to whether the baron would leave
for New York by n late train in order to
s;Lil for Italy to-day was answered by the
statement that he was ill The servant at
tile door would take no cards to the baron.
and could not or would not say how il!
the baron was, or answer any questions
about his preparations for departure for
New York last night. 1t can be stated.
h 1wever, positively that he will not sail