Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-03-11
WASHINGTON LETTER
INTERESTING NEWS FROM QUIZ
NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Reeds Quorum Rules Pronounced
LegaI.--SGpreme Court Declares
the Mckinley EBilI as Legal.
THE pEEp-wATER CHANNEL.

tue committee on rivers ana narDOrS WITH
reference to the proposed deep water chan
mel Representative Whiting, OF Michi-
gan, is one OF the most prominent men
who is opposed TO the project outside the
committee, and Representative Weadock,
OF Michigan who is a leading member OF
the committee. is one of the most active
opponents of the plan on the committee.
Their opposition to this project is based on
the argument that deep-water canal can
not be constructed without terribly Grip
ping all lake harbor appropriations not
only at this but during many succeeding
sessions of Congress. The Michigan dele
cation is not united in support OF this posi-
ton. but the only friend OF the deep chan
mel among the Mich gan delegation that has
been heard before the committee is sam
Stephenson, who is one OF its members.
The opposition to the project has greatly
stirred up the Duluth and Cleveland ship
ping interests. The entire subject of "a
deep waterway now rests with Congress
men Stephenson, and Weadock of Michigan,
ard Haynes, of Ohio. These gentlemen
are practically subcommittee for the CON
sderation OF this question. The two OF
them, Haynes, of Ohio, aud Weadocli OF
Michigan, are opposed 10 the project. I'm
der the circumstances Mr.. Stephenson,
who is warmly in favor OF a deep water
way, will be unable to stem the tide. IL
is not too early TO state that the pro. ect is
already practically defeated owing 10 the
inexplicaDle perverseness of a Michigan
man, Mr. Weadock.
MKINLEY BILL AND TuE SUPREME COURT. .
The Mckinley tariff act has been
declared TO be constitutional by the
supreme court OF the United States in q
decision rendered. by Justice Harlan.
The cases on which the decision was based
were those Of Marshall Field, Of Chicago,
and of New York merchants who protest
ed against the payment OF duties on GER
tain wooden dress goods and other importa-
tons on the ground that the Nick inley bill
was not legal and constitutional enact
ment by reason of an ON SIS on from the
enrolled bill of the tobacco rebate clause.
agreed to in conference and contained in
the bill when it passed both houses. The
court holds this omiss on does not make
the bill illegal. IT also holds that the
reciprocity and sugar bounty sections OF
the bill are constitutional. 1t was contended
that the reciprocity section was unconstltu.
tonal. IL was commended that the recipro-
city sect on was unconstitutional. because 1t
delegated legislative power 10 the execu-
tive The ch ef justice AMI Justice Lamar
dissented from the opinion Of the court.
They contsnded that the legislative funo-
lion was delegated 10 the President by the
act.
REEDS QUoRCM RULES UPHELD.
The mo quorum" case in which the
legality of the Dingey worsted act was
attacked by Balm, Joseph * Co., impor-
ters, has been decided by the United
States supreme court. The Dngley act
Was passed through the action or speaker
Reed in counting q quorum Of members
present but not voting. The importers
main tanned that Speaker Reeds action was
n violation OF the constitution and that
the act passed in this manner was void
The United States circuit court for the
southern strict Of New York decided
against the United States and in favor of
the importers on this ground so that the
case came before the United States SUI
preme court adverse 10 the constitution
ality OF the mo quorum method OF
parliamentary procedure. The court, in
an opinion by Justice Brewer, holds that
the mo quorum" rule was valid and that
the house of representatives had a right TO
make such rule.
NOW FOR A FIGHT IN BEuRING SEA.
The navy department regards the re-
cent developments of the Behring Sea
question with great satisfact on. AS in
the dark days OF the Gillian trouble, it
sees a possible chance Of at least a naval
parade. II not something better suited TO
the taste OF every man in the service. 1t
takes very little to start war talk in Wash
ington, and Lord Salsbury's ultimatum
that ne VIII not consent 10 renewal OF
4 H.. 4, 81, R..s
proved sufficient. The fire eating lieuten-
ants are already specializing on the neces-
sity Of Uncle sam sending force of YES
sells TO the northern waters to protect the
seals IN Behring Sea and keep off the
poachers. Fortunately the navy depart
ment s better prepared for this service
than it was year ago.
BEHRING SEA TROUBLE ESpED.
The negotiations between the United
States and Great Britain, looking TO the
subm ssion 10 arbitration OF the long pend
ing controversy between the two countries
in regard 10 the Behring sea seal fish
cries have reached "a favorable conclusion.
Sir Julian Pduncefote met Secretary
Blaine at the state department recently
and signed the treaty of arbitration on De-
half OF Great Britain. He said he had
take th S action. Mr. Blaine signed the
document on behalf OF this government
and the matter was consummated so far
as the piomatc part OF The business is
concerned. TIE treaty is still SUBJECT,
however. TO the action OF the British
parliament and the United States senate.
The House committee on interstate and
foreign commerce has agreed on a bill for
increasing the compensation OF members
Of the life say ing service. The bill is re-
ported as a substitute for all measures on
the subject, including the Senate bill. The
compensation of keepers is fixed at $1,000
per annum. and that OF surf-men az s75
per month during active service.
The Oklahoma Republican territorial
convention met and elected Governor
Seav and ID. W. Marquart dele gates to the
Republican convention. They were in
structed to vote for the denomination OF
president Harrison