Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-05-30


officers OF the United States.
When congress finally made known
its views, the secretary accepted them
for his government but IT cannot be
discovered that he ever changed his
Views as originally announced to the
Justice OF the action he had proposed.
While he was deep in the Hawaiian
negotiations, Secretary Gresham was
obliged to suddenly give immediate at
tention to the Boring sea seal fisheries
The arbitration arranged by his pre-.
decessor was In full swing. Here was
another matter with which he was not
In harmony. He did not believe that
the arbitration would be successful In
the object aimed at by the United
States, namely-the protection Of the
seals, but regardless of the outcome.
he was forced to- Bring the British gov
eminent to renewal of the modus vi
vendi or to quick action to carry out
the award when ii was announced, in,
order to guard against the annihlla-
ton Of the seals. The British govern.
ment was unwilling to do the first Of
these things, and 1t was only by an ex-
hibition OF all the strength Of his char
acter and purpose that he succeeded in
burrying through the British parlia-
ment an act to give effect to the arbl-
tration and then secure the adoption
Of regulations to keep on the poachers.
RECIPROCITY TREATIES.
BY clause in the Wilson tariff act
congress has swept away in line all
the careful CONSTRUCTED reciprocity trea
ties negotiated by the preceding ad-
ministration. This caused great anger
among the nations with which the Uni
ed States had such treaties and the
storm fell upon Secretary Greshams
head. Immediately there was talk OF
retaliation and tariff wars and in some
cases this was realized to certain ex-
tent, Mr.. Gresham's task was to placate
the European powers, and how ekillful-
ly he did so, the printed correspondence
tells! He fairly amazed the Germans
and Austrians, used as they were to the
devious ways Of diplomacy, by frankly
admitting that they were right In claim
ing a remission Of the differental duties
upon beet sugars; that justice seemed
to require this remission and that ne
would do all that could be done to
bring congress to see this and make
reparation, q promise which he faith
fully endeavored to redeem to the last
and thereby greatly strengthen his own
hand in the vexatious negotiations look
ing to the removal of the unjust and
onerous restrictions placed upon the
importation of American cattle and
meats.
Another legacy from his predecessor
which Mr.. Gresham found very little
to his liking was the necessity for car
ing for the Samoan king, held impris-
oned on the Sunda island by the Ger
mans. He wanted to repudiate the
whole arrangement by which the
United States assumed part Of
tripartite proteetorate over Samoa and
he worked hard to this end and finally
succeeded In inducing President Cleve-
land to recommend to congress that
the United States withdraw from all
further participation in Samoan af-
fairs.
Then in the constructive side OF dip
fomacy Mr.. Gresham had much to his
credit. He did all that a foreign of.
ficer could do properly to prevent the
atrocities Of the Japanese war; lost no
opportunity at any stage to bring 1t to
an end and ultimately when peace was
restored, 1t was through the good of.
fees of the American ministers Of
China and Japan acting under Secre-
tary Gresham's instructions that the
peace negotiations were initiated. All
this was done in a manner that made
1t clear to the world that the United
States was acting absolutely without
self interest and from motives Of hui
manity, Notwithstanding the tempta-
lions held out by some Of the great
European powers to act jointly with
them from less worthy motives that
might have brought a self-return. And
while he was doing this Secretary
Gresham was also using his good Of
fees to prevent war between Mexico
and Guatemala, both full OF fighting
rak - gkVat r,t In
this he succeeded completely although
he was obliged to use very strong rep
reservations to do so. While the
amount involved was Insignificant In
the case of the claims of the United
States citizens against Venezuela, Sec
rotary Gresham managed through a
joint commission to secure a judicial
annunciation Of doctrine that is Of the
greatest Importance to the civilized
world, namely, that the government Of
a country is responsible for the abuse
or i'll treatment, for financial redress Of
foreigners committed by insurgents.
WORKER TO THE LAST.
Almost the last official action before
he fell mortally Ill was to initiate the
correspondence with France intended
to secure justice for ex-United States
Consul Waller whom he believed to
French court-martlal In Madagascar,
and in whose interest he notified Am
bassador Eustls to interfere.
The secretary was a hard worker He
was thorough in all things and insisted
upon reading up every aspect Of a case
which came before him. This involved
long hours spent in study and 1t Is now
clear that Secretary Gresham was
brought to his last Illness by the great
exertions he was obliged to put forth
to discharge his official duties to his
own satisfaction.
During his career on the bench Judge
Gresham heard and decided many note
worthy cases. His greatest decision
was In the Wabash case when he went
beneath the technicallties and placed
all the lines Of the system under a re-
celver, thus giving Jay Gould a direct
blow.
In 1858 Mr.. Gresham married Miss
Matilda McGraln, the daughter Of Mr..
Thomas McGrain, a man Of Scotch
Irish descent. A son and daughter
were born to them, who live in Chicago.
He was devoted to his wife and child
rem. This side Of his life, the public
knew nothing Of, but 1t furnishes the
best key to his nature and character.
OTTAWA JOURNAL SHUT UP.