San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-03-16
WASHINGTON LETTER.

\ IL o.
which makes his opinion on the
Behring Sea matter entitled to great
weight,and his well-known conserva-
tism in matters relating to the foreign
| policy of this government makes 1t
certain that every word he utters for
publication has been carefully
thought over. He said: II regard
the treaty now pending with the
highest favor. 1t is honorable to
both nations 1t is an example of ar
Ditration which ought to be adopted
In every controversy between two
countries bound by 30 many ties as
Great Britain and the Omitted States.
A war, or even contention between
them for cause so trivial az one
years fishing for seals, would be
crime against civilization. 1t may be
unpleasant and ungraoeful for Great
Britain to resist by her ships and
sailors the reckless acts of few Of her
SUBJECTS, for whose conduct Lord
Salisbury disclaims all responsible
ty, but we are under no such restraint
and are able to prevent such poach-
ing on rights that we purchased OF
Russia, aud which Russia aud the
United States have openly asserted
and enjoyed for one hundred years.
The last sentence states the position
of the administration. 1t will stop
poaching II it takes every vessel in
our navy to do it. Great Britain NAV
help if she wishes to, or interfere Ii
che dares.
Secretary Blaine continues to i'm
prove slowly. but it is probable that
he will 60 south for q while before
resuming his duties.
Senator Hill does not go South in a
very cheerful frame of mind, as he
Iears that trap IL being set to make
him say whether he is for or against
free coinage. Some of his friends in
Congress say that personally he
tavors it, but that, owing to the al
most unanimous sentiment of his
state he will probably vote against
it when it comes up In the Senate.
they say also that ne is willing to
promise not to vote against it should
he be- elected President and the bill
pass both Houses of the next Con-
gress. He need rot worry himself
about the next Congress or the next
Presidency rs he will hardly be "in
it.n
The commissioner of patents is in
no way to blame Tor the circular letter
he has been compelled to issue notify
ing those who do business with his
Office that owing to lack of room for
the storage and arrangement Of print
ed copies of patents he finds it impos-
siDle to furnish such copies until adj
iitlonal room is provided. The siiua-
ton, aggravating and embarrassing
as 1t IL to manufacturers, inventors
and owners of patents, is but the
logical outcome of the steadily in
creasing business of the patent office.
Year after year congress has been
asked to provide for room for this
branch of the government, but has
neglected to do SO. One fourth of the
81, 900, 900 which stands to the credit
of the patent office in the treasury
would obviate ell trouble for gen.
GRAFTON, and it would but be allowing
that office to spend part of what 1t
has earned over and above it's Operat-
ing expenses.
Postmaster General Wanamaker lie
more strongly in favor of the estab-
lishmeDt of postal telegraph system
than ever, and he has had bills pro-
vidipg therefor init oduced in both
house and senate.
Representative Oates of Alabama,
has introduced, by request, bill
which discounts the Alliance sub
treasury scheme. 1t provides for the
issuing of ST. ,000,O 900 to each of the
congressional Districts of the country,
for the purpose of enlarging the
National banking system.
The Presidents proclamation of re-
taliatioD against Colon bis, Hayti,
Nicaragua, Honduras and Venezuela
for having neglected or declined to
negotiate reciprocity agreements with
the United states, under the McKin-
ley law, will be issued tomorrow, in
accordance with the official warning
given several months ago to those
countries. The proclamation will, Ii
issued, restore the duty on a number
of articles, including sugar and hides,
from those countries, to what it was
previous to the enactment of the Me-
Kjnley law.
A convention composed of the post
masters OF A Of our largest cities,
which was in session here q few days
ago, made some very important rec
ommen datiOps for legislation, among
which may be men toned, an endorse
ment or the bill now before congress
placing paper covered books in the
third class, and also the bill restrict
ing the distribution or sample copies
OF newspapers at pound rates, and the
following concerning second class
mail: No newspaper with less
than one hundred subscribers shall
be regarded as bona fide; sample
copies should be wrapped singly
and have sample copy" stamped
thereon; subscriptions to newspapers
shall not be regarded as legitimate
when paid for by advertisers In them,
directly or indirectly. and sent 10