Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1891-01-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent


WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 1891.
This is certainly the era OF political sen
satiens, and this week has produced tive,
the influence of which will be felt many q
day in this country, and may yhap in others
closely related to us in business. The first
was the attempt OF Great Britain, after be,
ing fairly outwitted in diplomacy by Mr..
Blaine, to use our Supreme court for the
purpose OF opposing the executive branch
OF our government. a proceeding without
precedent and unparalleled in the intsrna-
tional diplomatic annals OF the world, and
the second was the passage OF the free sill
yer coinage bill a substitute for the Sen.
ate Financial bill, in spite of the determined
efforts Of Senators Sherman, Allison, Evarts
Merrill, Aldrich and others whose financial
sagacity has moulded the policy OF the Re.
publican party On money matters for N ore
than a decade.
1t was evident several days age that sill.
yer was on top in the senate, and after the
speech Of Senator Ingalls, in favor Of free
coinage, which was in many respects the
ablest and most brilliant ever delivered by
thae eAtfdofoihdThy pfiiiahe man, nv
power earth could have stsmmed the
tide. 1t was all in vain that Senator Cor
man, the Democratic leader, who probably
regretted when too late the part he and
many members Of his party had taken in
bringing about the present situation, at
tempted to stop the silver flood by prOpos-
ing an amendment which weuld result in
shutting out silver produced in foreign coun-
tries. The die was cast and as far as the
senate can compel it to do SO, this country
has thrown down the guantlet to the entire
financial world, and proposes to make sill
yer the equal of gold in every respect in this
country, whatever m ay be the consequences.
Mr.. Blaine has a right to feel proud ofthe
sentiment which the act of the British Gov
ernment, in attempting to ignore thsex
tive branch OF this Government by appeal
ing to the United States Supreme Court for
help, has evoked. 1t was the one thing
necessary to solidify American sentiment
in support OF the stand taken by this ad-
ninistration. To-day Congress is practi-
cally unit in support of Mr.. Blaine, whereas
there had been a disposition previously
amsng Democrats to sneer at Mr.. Blaine's
methods OF conducting the Behring Sea ne
gotiations. The sentiment now existing
among Democrats may be judged by the
action of Representative Enlos of Tennes-
see, who has introduced resolution in the
house reciting the act Of the British Gov
ernment and declaring that this action is in
derogation Of the dignity OF the United
States and providing that copy OF this
resolution shall be sent to the British Gov
ernment. Gen. Hooker, one OF the Oldest
members of the house committee on foreign
affairs, says: "Mr. Blaine will come out all
right. ] have great confidene in him. l
differ with him in politics, but have great
confidence in his ability to manage any
thing he undertakes"
The house committee on the World q Fair
have agreed upon a report which favors
more care in the expenditure of money by
the commission and a reduction in the
Everything in connection with the exPosi-
tion is moving along nicely and points to
a generel success.
Postmaster-Gsneral-W Wsnamaker has, at
the direction OF the President, abolished
the postoffice at Catharine, Alabama, be-
bause of the action of some the citizens oil
that place in driving the Republican post
master away from his office.
Secretary Window has decided, as he was
compelled to under the present law, that
the director of the Philadelphia mint was
right in declining to coin a silver brick
which was presented to him by the
agent of several owners OF silver mines.
Senator Quay's new election bill provid'
ing for the suspension OF the writ OF habeas
corpus and the use Of the army and navy
whenever necessary, in the presidents dis
cretion, to prevent fraud or force at the
polls. is disturbing the Democrats very
much.
Those who ought to know say there ID
not the slightest probability that free coin
age will get through the house at this SEES
sion; but it's friends are nevertheless max
ing a most determined effort in that direc
tion.
The federal election bill has again by 6
vote Of "a to 33 become the unfinished bus
mess Of the senate.