Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1891-10-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent

From Our Regular Correspondent.l
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 1891.
The president and his official advisers
formed what might be aptly called hap
py family"at the last cabinet meeting, and
there was ample cause for happiness on the
part of the men who control and shape the
policy OF the present administrat ton, which
promises to occupy a proud position in
the history OF our country, particularly
that portion treating OF the enlargement
and extension Of American commerce with
foreign countries. Although the official
announcement cannot yet he made it is
known that reciprocity agreement has
been made with Germany that will either
allow American wheat to enter that coun-
try free of duty or admit all American
grain at a merely nominal duty. Isn't that
good news? Particularly when it is esti-
mated that Germany, on account OF her
short crop, will want at least hundred
million bushels OF our surplus wheat this
year. There was also another cause for
rejoicing at the cabinet meeting. Minister
Porter who represents the United States
at Rome, Italy, has succeeded i'm getting
ct Germany and Denmark and agree to
move all restrictions upon the importation
OF American pork. No wonder Secretary
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 is Justly
proud to be member OF an administra-
tion which has already done more for
American farmers than any single admin
istration in the history OF the country.
Reciprocity has extended and will continue
to extend our commerce, while the meat
inspection law, the passage of which was
largely due to the personal efforts of Seere-
tary Rusk, is nobly doing it's part towards
enriching the American farmer.
The loss OF the U. s. s. Despatch, which
for some years has been known as the
president 8 boat" removes a vessel that
has long been called by the sailors a 40
nah" because OF the many accidents which
have happened to her. 1t is probable that
she would have been condemned soon il she
had not been wrecked.
Secretary Tracy and Commodore Folger,
chief OF the bureau OF ordnance Of the navy,
paid an official visit to the Bethlehem Iron
works at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, last
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 pro.
nounce to be the best of their class in the
world The secretary expresses himself as
being highly pleased with what he saw.
This is the first week of the October term
OF the supreme court, but all the big cases
have been postponed until next month
| owing to the absence of Chief Justice Fuller
and Justices Gray and Bradley.
The president broke the record while re
ceiving the members Of the Epworth League
by shaking hands with 700 people in TWEEN
ty-three minutes.
1t is understood that the vacancy in thu
court OF claims will be filed before TIN
court meets for the fall term, which it viii
do on the last Monday in this month, ant
there is an impression among the usual.
well informed that ex-Representativ
Thompson, of Ohio. will receive the ap
pontment.
Mr.. HaIford. the presidents priv ate sec
retary, who has been quite i'll, is improv
ing, though not yet able to resume hi
duties. He is sadly missed when absen
from the White House, particularly by tn
newspaper men, who always find hin
ready to extend all the courtesies in hi
power to them and to tell them anythir
which he may properly tell.