Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-05-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.

written auu COul pllcu lOi tn0 hEhAhO'J
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 1.-THE
President will return to Washington the
last of this week, and he will fiud impor-
tant matters requiring his attention in
nearly every one of the departments of
fine Government, so that he will have to
mt in several weeks of hard work in or
der to catch up with current affairs. The
State department has the Spanish agree
ment for reciprocity between the United
States and Cuba and Porto Rico; the
Venezuelan reciprocity agreement and q
number of minor affairs including the
Question of our right to sieze on the open
seas the Itata, the Gillian insurgent
vessel which after being seized at San
Diego. California, by a deputy U. S.
Marshal, on order from the Attorney
General, sailed away with the Marshal a
prisoner, but afterwards pat him ashore.
The Treasury department has the PROPOSE
lions of Secretary Foster as to returning
TO the old form of making up the month
" statement of the nations liabilities and
assets. continuing the a per cent bonds
that will mature in September at per
cent and other important matters per-
tanning to our financial affairs. The ln-
terror department has some questions to
submit as to the payment of certain
moneys appropriated for the purchase Of
Indian lands.
There are also some details about the
Behring sea matters that the Presidents
advice is wanted 1pon. Secretary Foster
has mailed the instructions for the pres
emit sealing season to the commanders of
the Revenue cutters, and has notified
them that supplemental instructions will
be telegraphed to them at Portland,
Oregon, or Seattle, Washington, If they
shall be deemed necessary after the Presi-
dents return. Secretary Foster positive
" declines to make public the nature OF
the instructions sent, so that 1t is not
known whether the cutters Will sleze
vessels illegally sealing or not, There is
q general belief here that some under
standing has been reached with England
that will stop all sealing for this season,
although it is not based on authentic
knowledge.
By the way, speaking of Behring sea
matters, it is interesting to note the
opinion of Senator Morgan, the leading
Democratic member of the Senate COM
mittee on Foreign Affairs, of Mr.. Blaines
manner of conducting the negotiations.
Senator Morgan said of Mr.. Blalne's last
letter to Lord Salisbury made pnblic
several days ago: "Mr. Blame is very
adroit and he has now got his questions
Just right. like the letter. 1t is direct,
clear, dignifed and has sufficient pugnac-
ity about it. He keeps Lord Salisbury
right down to the point so that he cannot
get away. / he solemn truth is that ever
since the war of the revolution, when we
escaped from under the claws OF Great
Britain, the sentiment of the British
government has been hostile to u.s.
We cannot make as satisfactory treaties
nor reach as liberal agreements with her
as we car with other nations. There is
that ever present disposition to interfere
with and hinder us in some way. The
time may not be far distant, If this con-
tinues, when she will 90 tether's length
too far. We are surrounded as it were, by
cloud Of British influences. We feel
them on the Behring sea and in the fish
cries Cd the East, in the Nicaraguan canal
matteT-eyerywh about US she Is
reaching out to injure u.s."
have it on good authority that the ma
tlOnal Democratic managers are working
like beavers and spending money lavish
ly to get the Farmers Alliance to put q
guberLatOral ticket III the field in Ohio,
believing that it will dsaw enough Re-
publican votes to elect the Democratic
candidate for Governor. asked promi-
nent Ohio Republican connected with the
administration, what be thought of the
prospect. He laughed, and said "The
OHIO Republicans who have joined the
Alliance are far too smart to vote lin the
air to help their old time opponents, the
Democrats. Tho Republicans of Ohio are
determined to nominate and elect Nc
KuleY Governor of that State, and they
will not be stopped by any Democratic
trIckery.
Secretary Blaine is in New York, but he
will return in time to meet the President
on his arriy,l.
Secretary NOBLE has gone TO St. Louis
on private business, aud is not expected
back for two weeks.
The Treasury department has Issued to
customs off ials a circular of Instructions
on the new copyright law, which goes into
effect July 1T.