Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-01-19
NATIONS CAPITAL.
Letter from Our Special Cores
pondent At Washington.
caaefsss- Shipping Bill.--Bahril6 So
...Stsd iosts..-Heme Iltiars.
Senate AdiouEns Aifsr Tedious 0ss'
sion OF thirty Hou.s.


WASHINGTON. Jan. 1.-THE holiday
season being over. Washington has settled
down 70 business Of the ordinary nature,
and Congress, the chief factor Of its inter.
ests 10 also trying its best to getedown to =
business basis. Whether, in the brief space
of tim. allotted il, it can do much, remains
to be seen. All depends upon the .'fapping
together" Of the two wings, so to speak, Of
the dominant party. The 'ssilvsr men,
hsve the balance of power, and evidently
mean to use it to best advantage for their
interests. This il human nature; and, situ-
ated as they are, one must put the best
charitable construction he eau upon their
course. There is terrible strain brought
to bear upon them from the vast West, as
instance the actions Of Senators Ingslls
and Plumb. The conservative element
Of the country evidently deprecistes
this pressure, which now seems likely to
push itself upon the country es an expert.
ment and perhaps - . wonderful distrib-
utor Of its finances. II bimetallism could
be adopted - an international experiment,
or even fact the danger would not be near
as great; but this country must "go it
alone," in the event Of the passage Of such
. measure, and meet the opposition, cum
ming and speculation Of the whole outside
world. The question arises-Can it do
this: We may have an opportunity to see.
Tho shipping Bill.
This most important bill Ito Maine es.
pecially), the shipping bill is, also, having
q hsrd time of 1t, but from present indica-
tions it will pull through. Fortunately for
it, it has such an enterprisipg and persistent
worker in the House as Mr.. Dingley, and
one can rest assured that he will leave no
stone unturned until success has crowned
his efforts. When it gets to the Senate
Ii has another persistent worker
in the person OF Senator Frye. When
he takes hold Of lever he means busi
ness and nine times out of ten carries his
point. 1t is fortunate for Maine that these
two men at present hold such committee
relations in either House that they are in
position to lock after this bill. 1t 10 non
partisan bill in the brosdest sense, and it is
gratifying to see signs of realization Of
this fact.
The Behring Sea Controversy.
OF course the late action of the British
Government in bringing the Behrirg sea
question into court. has stirred up the whole
nation. especially the legal aud political
portion Of it. 1t was shred, srtfu, dodge,
in which England pitches the copper with
the remark, "heads win. tails you lose"
If there 10 any Yankee idiotic enough to
believe that this country is going to sub
nit to that sort Of argument, he had better
get inside of seal and die. Such "skin'
game as that will not work. Both Repub-
licaus and Democrats, (and I'm thinking
the Alliance fellows, although have
not asked them) are approaching
unanimity Of opposition to such snap juig-
ment, and are joining hands in support of
Mr.. Blaines petition. Such action on the
part of England without any intention on
her part Of abiding by decision, if unfa-
vorable to herself, is creating feeling Of
reaction and sentiment OF unfriendliness
here which reaches far beyond previous
conditions. England alone has to attack
the odiun; for dishonesty is shown upon
the face of the action. Let her bind her
self to an agreement, IL 3 decision is
reached, and then there might be show of
justice and responsiveness in this pro-
ceedure.
Government Tests Of Steel.
The experimental trial of steel made
from ore in the vicinity of Birmingham,
Ala, which is now proceeding, if success
full, will create an era and boom for that
section Of our country unparalleled. I'M
mense fieldo, mountains in fact, of such
ore exist there, which would thus be
brought into profitable competition with
the whole steel producing world. and the
trade would revolutionize that section.
Capitalists would flock in in great numbers
to secure the most eligible sites; fsctories
and workshops would rapidly augment and
towns and cities grow up like magic.
No wonder the people there are awaiting
the result of these experiments with almost
b,eathless anxiety. The Northern people
are not jealous or envious Of them. Such
developments, in the end, benefit all sec
tions more or less; the leaven works into
al, branches Of capitsl and labor.
Home Matters.
We are glad to notice that our Maine
Legislature hes met without wrsngie or
wrinkle to disturb it; that we have but one
Governor and retinue of officials. We are
curious to know, however, why Maine wants
an Australian ballot law. With such
honest folks as we have, what's the use of
it? The only way We can account for the
introduction of such bill. is that Maine
wants to be in the present fashion.
E. ]. B.