Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1891-04-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Mich. 27, 1891.

WASHINGTON, Mich. 27, 1891.
Secretary Blaine has recovered from his
recent indispesitien and resumed his du-
ties at the state department. which are
just now more than usually arduous. owing
to the negotiations with the British minis
ter concerning the arbitration OF the Behr-
ing sea trouble, and to numerous matters
connected more or less with the reciprocity
clause OF the Mckinley tariff act and vari-
Gus countries which are anxious to get the
benefits of our markets These things will
probably keep Mr.. Blaine busy for some
time to come, and there are other iuterna-
tional questions that may arise at any
time.
The threat of Newfoundland to ask for
admittauce to the Union q state, and
pending the hearing OF the petition by Con-
gress to place herself under the protection
of the United States has been much discus
sed here by International lawyers and
Others fond of complicated questions. In
case the threat was actually carried out
and the authorities OF Newfoundland for
maIly ask to be admitted as a state, what
action would the administration takef 1t
is extremely difficult to answer the quss-
tien, as there are no precedsnts upon which
to base a reasonable conjecture. The gen.
eral opinion seems to be that the president
would take no action before laying the
matter before congress, because he would
| not care to have any decision that he might
make repudinted by the Democratic house
of representatives.
1t is not considered probable, however,
that Great Britain would stand idly by and
allow Newfoundland to take such action.
| As soon as she became satisfied that such
action was really seriously contemplated
the colony would probably be declared to
he in a state of rebellion and it's affairs be
placed in charge OF the British military au-
thorities. 1t is hard to find prominent
man who has given the matter careful con-
sideration who does not believe that even
tually both Canada and newfoundland will
become part OF the United States, and it
is still harder to find u man who believes
Great Britain will fail to fight for it's Amer
can possessions. | have never discussed
this question with member OF congress who
did not believe that another war between
this country and Great Britain was one OF
the certanties of the future, the only differ
ence of opinion being as to how soon this
inevitable war will come.
| Some amusement has been created here
by the telegraphed statement that the
queen of Hawaii had decided to refuse to
continue reciprocal arrangements with the
United States unless Hawaiian sugar was
given the bounty of cents a pound which
the Mckinley tariff act grants to sugar
produced ia the United States after April
/. Nothing has been hear rd about it at the
state department, and it is not believed
| that the new ruler of Hawaii has been
guilty of taking such a silly stand, but il
she has she will soon learn that the Nc Kin
ley bill was framed for the protection OF
our own citizens and not for the benefit of
foreigners; she will also discover that il her
little island kingdom was to disappear alb
solutely from the face OF the earth it would
J mot affect tho prosperity .of the United
States.
The secrets OF the corrupt lobby which
hangs around congress have a queer way of
cropping out at unexpected times and
places. In the trial Of the newspaper cor
murder of ex-Representative Taulbee OF
Kentucky in the capitol building little
over a year ago, which is now in progress
here, ex-doerkeeper of the house OF repre-
sentatives Samuel Donaldson, when on the
| witness stand admitted. under the sharp
lcross-examination of Gen. Grosvenor, one
of Kincaid's counsel, that his occupation
in Washington was lobbying, and that one
of his principal clients was the Western
Union Telegraph company. This was not
news to Postmaster General Wanamaker
who has some time since discovered why
his postal telegraph system was 'hung up
in congress, rs well as the names OF the
men who did the lobbying against it for
Jay Goulds telearaphic octopus, but it was
to a great many other people who had often
wondered how Samuel Donaldson could
afford to wine and dine SO many Demo
cratic members Of congress when he had nc
visible means OF support.
The president has fully decided to ap
point the new judges of the United States
circuit court during the congressional re
cess. and am informed that he is nov
ca refuIiy considering he merits OF the gen
tlemsn whose names have been presented
to him to fill those positions. Nothing hai
been decided upon to Mr.. Harrison
trip to the Pacific coast. He will go il h
possibly can, but there is n doubt as to hi
, being able to leave here.