The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-11-30
W ashingtOn Letter.
From our regular Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Nov 10Th, 1894.
Mr.. Cleveland will probably find
| himself in hot water as soon as Con-
gress meets, and judging from the
number of democrats now engaged in
gathering fuel there is little probabili-
ty that the supply of hot water will
be allowed to run short during the
session. First and foremost democrats
from the west and south will begin to
ask unpleasant questions about the
bond issue announced this week.
Secretary Carlisle may yet have to ex-
plain why he persisted in saying up to
the day before the call was issued that
that no issue of bonds was contemplate
ed. Representative Hooker, of Miss,
voiced the sentiment of these demo-
Gratis when he said publicly: "This
issue of bonds is defiance of Con-
gress, and it seems to have been in
tended as such. There is nothing in
the financial situation, or in the con-
dition of the Treasury deparement,
which made it necessary for the Presi-
dent to negotiate this loan before the
representatives of the people could
assemble, and there would seem to be
every raason why the representatives
of the people should be consulted
about the matter. The fair conclu-
sion would appear to he that the Pre-
sident feared that his policy would be
disapproved if submitted to Congress,
and he desired to assume this authori-
ty for himself at 4 time when he could
not be interfered with" 1t is signif-
cant that it is the President and not
the Secretary of Treasury, who is
blamed.
Another question that promises to
give Mr.. Cleveland trouble is BY what
authority the president attempted to
mediate between China and Japan?
The republicans will take hand in the
discussion. Some OF the ablest const-
itutional lawyers in Congress, without
regard to party affiliation, say that Mr..
Cleveland had no more authority to
arbitrate between China and Japan
that he has to declare war upon one Of
these nations without submitting the
matter to Congress, or to take treaty
without the concurrence Of the Senate.
They argue to act as arbitrator be-
tween China and Japan is to assume
responsibilities which may lead to war
with anyone of several European ma
tions, as it is generally understood
that it was British diplomacy which
caused China to ask this government
to offer to mediate and that it is was
done by Great Britain because she did
not care to run the risk of Il war with
Russia by making the offer herself. 1t
characteristic of John Bull to make
use of others accomplish his own end,
and he seems to have had no difficulty
in pulling the wool over the eyes of
Secretary Gresham and Mr. Cleveland
who have been peculiarly unf ortunate
in their dealings with foreign nations.
Aside from the constitutional question,
there is another reason why many are
opposed to Mr. Cleveland's too hasty
acquiesence in the request of Great
Britain made by China-it reverses the
American policy of keeping clear Of
foreign entanglements.
It is not probable that republicans
will take any part in the fight that
will be made on the administration
because of the bond issue, further
than to emphasize the fact that the
democratic administration has found
itself by reason of its incapacity and
and unseund methods compelled to
borrow $1O0,O0O,OOO inside of ten
months. That fact will of itself
speak sufficiently loud to the common
sense of the country without COM
ment, and it is upon the common
sense of the country that the republi
can party relies for future power.
Very few republican Senators and
have yet arrived in
Washington, and not many are ex-
pected until after Thanksgiving. Those
who are here are not doing much talk
ing about the future program of the
party. They all appear to have
adopted Mr.. Lincoln's favorite maxim
don't cross the bridge before you get
to it,