Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-12-14
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Message -Hawai1-New States.
Van Alen-Roosevelt's Success.
Gen. Shields Statue.

The National Capital is again alive
with statesmen, both great and small.
The congressional mill has once more got
into motion, and their which
! many consider will be one OF the most in
teresting session for years past-is fairly
opened. There was nothing remarkably
striking in the opening session of either
house. OF course the message was the
general topic; and the general opinion is,
that although of great length, as it has
become necessary of late years, it is
a remarkably well guarded document
in its expressions upon several of the
leading topics Of the day. 1t was dis
appointment that the President did not
come out more fully regarding Hawaii.
The fact seems to be that the President
does not seem to be posted himself as
to what il now going on at Honolulu. OF
course it was no great surprise that the
Wilson bill was indorsed, but it had been
question as to whether he would come
out squarely for it, as a whole. But the
bill seems to suit the President, and he
leaves US in no doubt upon that question
As to the financial question, he advises
nothing at present, and asks for time.
On the pension question he speaks high
ly of the present management of that
department, but seems glad that the rule
which has created the excitement about
the suspension of pensions, has itself
been modified, and to all intents sus-
pended. As whole, this message can
hardly be said to be as forcible docu-
ment as the messages of President
Cleveland have been sometimes been in
the past.
The House has shown good deal of
zeal in commencing work at once. The
very first day it adopted resolution ap
propriating $4,000 for the enforcement
Of the Chinese exclusion law. On its
second day it took up the Bankruptcy
bill, and its course since has been one of
business right along. The Wilson bill
will be reported soon, and soon after the
great battle will open. The extra session
was great thing for the new tariff bill
The Mckinley bill was not reported to the
to the House until April 16, while it is
thought this bill will be under discussion
in the House by December Is.
The Republican Senators have shown
a most commendable spirit, by going on
record as opposed to any attempt to pre-
vent the passage of legislation by any
blockade in the Senate. They will insist
upon full AMI fair debate, and when
that is finished it is all they will demand
So the country will not probably be treat
cd to another such Trace as was enacted
by the POpulist Senators and their allies
Of both parties in the recent fight over
the purchase repeal act.
The Senate has taken hold of the
Hawaiian question at once. Senator
Hoar's resolutions asking for copies Of
all instructions given to representatives
or naval officers concerning affairs in
Hawaii, aroused quite an interesting de
bate. Senator Hoar was very vigorous in
denouncing the Presidents policy. Sen
ators Mills and Villas answered on behalf
Of the Administration, but to the sur
prise Of many, Senator Hill for once, as
he said, agreed with Senator Hoar, and
spoke strongly in favor Of the resolutions
The information that was here asked for.
Mr.. Hill said, was what the Senate had a
right to know, and what the people all
wished to know. What was the best
thing to do, was entirely another ques
ton, to be settled later. Senator Sher
man urged the passage of the resolu-
tions under consideration. After quite
an animated discussion the resolutions
we're passed without dissenting vote
OF course the President Can yet use his
own pleasure as to whether be will com
municate anything more at present or
not, as all such resolutions contain the
words, if not inconsistent with the pub
lie interests" But it is not to be sup
posed that the President will delay very
long. Some say the whole matter will be
turned over to Congress for settlement
very soon. 1t seems very probable that
Mr.. Willis is not having smooth sailing at
Honolulu. There is a great deal of diff
Guilty in finding out just what is going on
there. To add to the complication, Min
lister Thurston has left for San Francis
CO, and it is rumored that he is on his
way to Honolulu to his home Govern
ment. He went entirely unexpected,
and the Government had not in any way
interrupted the relations always accord
ed to him as the representative of the
de tacto government of Hawaii. 1t is to
be hoped that news Of some kind con
cerning this subject of so much interest,
will soon be obtained.
Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah are
knocking at the doors of the nation for
Statehood, and in all human probability
their day has come. Bills have already
been prepared for their admission, and
just as soon as It is possible these bills
will be pressed to vote. Like the States
admitted four years ago, these States will
be almost sure to draw party lines pretty
straight on their admission. The dele
gates from all these Territories spoken
of are Democrats, and it is confidently
asserted that there is no doubt that the
United States Senators, and Congress-
men to be elected in the new States, will
be of the same political faith, and thus
materially assist to maintain the su-
premacy of the Democracy in Congress
and the Electoral College. So they are
pretty sure to come in out of the rain.
They seem to be sure their day for ad
mission has come, and it does look most
surely that way at the present time.
Mr.. Van Allen has scored a point at
last by declining to accept the mission to
Italy. He has shown a good deal of