Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-07-28

~ 4 zAaas.usn.naA .nAs - 1&..,assElunsul.ssul.
burdensome expenditure, we commend
the comparative figures submitted by
Mr.. Herbert to the House in the course
of Thursday discussion. 1t will
doubtless astonlsh some of the friends OF
the new Navy to learn that for the sew
en- years prior to and including 1860, a
period of rigid democratic economy, the
average annual expenditures for the
naval establishment were $l3 1885 400,
while for 1886 to 1898, inclusive, the
average for the total maintenance Of the
Navy, new ships and all. will have been
but $22 ST. 900. Estimating the pop
uIation of the country at 100000 in
1860, the expense of wooden navy
with cast iron guns was A cents per
capita. The average per capita at the
end of the second period, or in 1898,
assuming the population to be 65,OOO,.
900, will be but "a cents per capita,
with the best of modern steel ships and
modern steel guns and a! modern i'm
provements to show for it. The vessels
of the new Navy now IN commission, or
bullding, or authorized, are forty-live
in number. And all this mighty rev
olution has been brought about in the
last ten years. Is there Il patriotic
American who condemns the policy or
counts it's cost, in view Of the augment
ed dignity, power, and prestige which
the country has herewith gained
How completely Il given legislative
situation may be changed N a weeks
time is shown by the bill authorizing
the President to retaliate upon Canada
for discriminating against American
vessels passing through Canadian water
ways. A week ago Government oftlc.
ials and members of Congress were con-
tident that an agreement would be
reached with the secret agents of the
Canadian Government, then here nego-
tlating with the State Department,
which would make the passage of the
bill unnecessary. That agreement was
not reached, and the bill WIS, at Presi-
dent Harrison's request, rushed through
both House and Senate, without dis
cussion, except in executive session by
the last named body, and it is to day a
law of the United States. Under the
new law the President has authority to
impose tolls npon Canadian vessels us
ing American water ways, and he may
even shut them out entirely if he sees
fit.
Senator Hill, OF New York, has gone
away, it Is said for the remainder of
the session, and there are many who
believe that he will never occupy his
seat in the Senate. 1t m ~ or may not
be true that Senator Hill intends to re
sign, but it is certain that he has from
the first found the life of Senator DIS
tasteful and his surroundings uncOn-
genial. He is quoted by q friend as
having said: "lf Harrison be re.elect-
ed | can be of very little service to the
State Of New YORK in the Senate, aud
if Cleveland be elected of none what
ever
There is reason TO believe that the
nomination of Mr.. Shiras to be i'm asso-
ciate justice of the Supreme Court may
fail of confirmation. THIS is based
largely upon a feeling which is now &C
tuating the Democratic Senators, and Of
which nothing has yet been SAID, except
in confidential talk They bclieye that
if they can prevent the confirmation at
this session, and it shoull happen that
Cleveland is elected President next
November, it would he an easy matter
to prevail upon President Harrison
that the position ought to be filled by a
democrat. The Democrats say that
there would be nothing improper in
this request and that if it was not
needed by the President, the justjceshlp
could still be lett open By delaying con.
firmation until adjournment. With
this feeling Wpermost, the Democrats
have generally decided to oppose Mr..
Shiras, even to the extent Ct voting
against him if the nomination is report
ed.
f,poonc Anal ,,uc 7 ,.n lon ronbpi g,