The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-06-29
NO. %.
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent

1
1t would be difficult to say whether
the sugar trust democratic Senators or
the men who compose the sugar trust
are the most frightened just now.
The danger ahead of the sugar sched-
ule is no longer, thanks to a robust ex-
preston of public opinion by the
newspapers of the country, confined
to the House. A movement is now
on foot to modify the sugar schedule
before the formal vote is taken in
the Senate. If it were not for absol-
ute pledges which democratic Senators
| have made there would be no doubt of
| the success of the movement. Still
| the disgust of some of them is so
marked that they may repudiate their
pledges, preferring to offend the sugar
trust rather than to lose the respect
of thousands of their constituents.
The week opened with much uncer-
tainty concerning the tariff bill. Sen
ator Harris expected to have disposed
of the wool schedule by the middle of
last week, but it is still undisposed of,
although it will be finished early this
week, unless the threat to fillibuster
until some duty is put upon wool
shall be carried out. It is expected
that the debate on the income tax
will occupy nearly or quite week
and it is not yet certain that it will
be reached this week So there is lit
tie probability that the final vote will
be reached before the first of July.
That "there are more ways to kill
a dog than hanging" is proven by the
manner in which Mr.. Cleveland is
trying to make congress obey his re-
quest, not to enter upon any financial
legislation at this session. The bill
providing for currency commission
which shall spend six months in nves-
tigating the subject before submitting
recommendation to Congress, is Mr..
Cleveland's scheme to prevent action
upon any financial bill, and the ad-
ministration influence is being used
to get it favorably reported from the
House committee on Banking and
Carrency.
If MIR. Sill, the man who gave the
first information (for which he receiv-
ed several thousand dollars in cash)
that the Carnegie companies were not
properly carrying out their contracts
with the government for making of
armor plate for war vessels is not one
of the greatest liars of the age the
Carnegie companies. instead of being
fined few thousand dollars bv Mr..
Cleveland, should have been made to
refund every dollar received for botch-
ed work and to have forfeited their
contracts Sill has been here for sew
eral days testifying in the investigation
that is being conducted by the House
Navol committee. The most of his
testimony can be verified, as he speci-
fies every piece of bad armor that was
delivered to the government, and as it
can all be got at to be examined and
probably will be in course of time
The odd part about the business is that
Mr. Cleveland knew all about this
mans testimony when he set aside the
decision of Secretary Herbert in this
matter and himself made one very
much more favorable to carnegie, who
evidently knew whose interest he was
serving when he publicly endorsed
the Wilson tariff bill in it's original
fo: m, before going to Europe for
an indefinite stay.
The last democratic Senator to
make an explanation was Ransom, of
N. c., who confessed, after the facts
had been ascertained by newspaper
men, that his son, who is his commit
tee clerk, had been speculating in
sugar trust stock. 1t is not probable
that Mr.. Ransom would haye ever said
anything about it if the Senate inves-
tigating committee had not in defer
ence to general public demand exam
ined every Senator at present in Wash
ington, going alphabetically through
the list. Senator Quay surprised near
ly everybody when he testified that he
had been speculating in sugar stock;
that he had perfect right to do SO,
and would whenever he felt so inclined
The greatest interest is felt in the test
imony of Senator German, who is still
absent and reported to be sick. 1t
may be that Senator German will join
the other democratic senators who
helped him fix up the sugar schedule
in denying everything, but there is
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