Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-01-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.



WAsHIsGToN. Jan. 21, 1892.
The president has become satisfied tnat
the attitude OF the Chilian minis ter towards
a satisfactory settlement of the matter is
not sustained by the CHILEAN government,
and has therefore determine that all the
correspondence, which will show beyond a
shadow OF doubt that this country has
good and substantial reason for declaring
war against Chill, shall be sent to congress
just as soon copies of the testimony of
the sailors OF the Baltimore, now being
taken at San Franciso by Judge Advocate
General Remey of the navy can be had.
This will probably be next week, and un-
less Chill shall in the meantime apologize
n declaration of war is regarded as certain.
1t is rumored and generally believed that
the president has already forwarded his ul-
timatuIn to Chill.
Ex-Speaker Reed brought down the house
when he remarked sarcastically after con-
curing with the speaker pro TENS decision
that debate was not in order after the pre-
vious question had been ordered on Repre-
sentative Holman's remarkable resolu tion
declaring it to DE the judgment OF the house
that no bill lending aid in any shape To pri-
vate industries or enterprises should be
passed. and no money appropriated for
any purpose except what il maniiestly nee
essary to carry on the governmental de-
partments, And this house will cease to
be deliberative body" This resolution.
which after four hours debate was adopted.
comes nearer to effeetually gagging the
house than any rule ever yet adopted, and
Mr.. Reed spoke a mighty truth when h-
said that with it's adoption the house
would cease to be "a deliberative body. 1t
is said to be the result of "a conference be-
tween the leaders of the peanut" wing of
the Democratic party.
Secretary Rusk has no fear of the result
OF any investigation into the workings OF
his department, and he says of Jerry Simp.
sons resolution offered in the house pro-
viding for an investigation of the agricul-
anything that will compel members of con
gress ts learn more about this department.
! should be glad for my own sake for the
departments interest, and for the sake OF
the farmers to have the workings of this
department more thoroughly understood
and appreciated by members Of congress
and citizens generally than they are. Sin
gularly enough although Mr.. Simpson, ]
understand, owes his election to farmers
votes and poses as distinctlvely IA repre-
sentative of the farmer interest he has
paid but little attention to this department
and it's work. | am gnite satisfied that
the better he becomes acquainted with it
the more he viii appreciate it. This has
been my experience in the case OF all those
who have sought more intimate know
ledge of the work we are doing and how we
do it,"
The Democratic members of the house
committee on ways and means evidently
consider they know it all, far the
tariff is concerned. as they have decided
not to grant any hearing To industries
liable to be effected by tariff legislation.
Fortunately il is beyond the power of these
big headed Democrats to hurt anybody.
except their own party.
The law makes many distinctions in crime
that are very unjust, bat to change or
amend law is always slow process. To
n"S thab lhe ineiL
shock the reader. but it is nevertheless
true regarding certain kinds of theft. For
instance you patent a valuable invention.
| deliberately and Intentionally steal your
idea, which you supposed was fully pro
tected by the patent oi the L. :. govern
mcnt, and put a similar article upon the
market knowing that | am infringing your
patent. | make thousands of dollars from
the stolen idea. taking care to put it where
it cannot be reached by any legal process.
You discover what ] have done and con.
suit your lawyer, as to how you can have
me punished. Can you have arrested
and tried for theft before the nearest police
Judge or Justice Of the peace No. Have
me indicted by the grand iuryr No, what
then? Your only redress is to apply to
| the civil courts for an Injunction to pre-
vent my continuing the of your prop
erty, and to bring IA suit for damages for
it's past use. laugh at you, knowing that
| you will never realize a dollar from yous
suit, because OF your inability to locate my
property, and proceed to steal some other
inventors idea. This is not fiction; it is
hard cruel reality that is being enacted
every day, and will be continued until the
willful infringement oil n patent is made a
| criminal ofiense. Such a bill is being con
sidered by the patent committee OF the
house and senate.