The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-02-28
NO. II
W ashington Letter.
From our regular Corresponds


about everybody in Congress, since his
candidacy for the republican presi-
Dental nomination was announced,
but no man in either branch OF Con-
gress could take it more good-natured-
ly than he does. The other candidates
for the nomination, in the Senate,
have all had crack at him, and
Speaker Reed has also had his say.
Whether Mr.. Quay's candidacy is to
be merely OF a complimentary nature
only time can tell, but there is no
doubt that he would make President
who would please most republicans.
1t is very we'll known to all who are
on confidential terms with Mr.. Quay,
that he doesn't wish to be President,
but he is human, and the man who
would refuse nomination to the
Presidency is not yet born, especially
when, as will be the case this year, the
nomination will be equivalent to cleo
tiOn.
The situation of the House tariff
bill is an unsolvable puzzle at this
writing. Had the four republican
Senators who voted against taking it
up several days ago voted with the
party, it might have been passed by
the Senate by this time, but as they
didn't it is still hanging in danger
Gus position. 1t is not very clear what
those four Senators are driving at.
Had they wished to make it impossi-
BILE for the bill to become law, they
would have voted to take up the bill,
and then voted for the free-coinage
substitute, which would have sent the
bill to certain death in the House,
where the free coinage substitute for
the House bond bill had just been
killed by such an Overwhelming major
ity. The only explanation they have
given of their action was to say that
they were opposed to taking the bill
up and making it the unfinished
business" of the Senate without any
previous notice of such an intention
having been given. Republicans out
side of the Senate had supposed that
when the republican senatorial caucus
decided that the bill should be support
ed without amendment it was assured
of solid republican vote.
The number of members who lodged
the silver vote in the House was much
smaller than is usually the case when
votes are taken upon questions which
have strong supporters upon both sides
in many districts. Only 81 out of the
356 members failed to vote or to pair
for or against the concurrence of the
House in the free coinage substitute
for the House bond bill, which had
been passed by the Senate. The silver
men could only muster 80 votes, while
the anti's piled up 2l5.
General Groner, of Va, doesn't take
as hopeful view of the republicans
chances of carrying the old dominion
as some of the other prominent tepub
licans of that state who occasionally
visit Washington do. Speaking of the
outlook, Gen. Groner said "What is
the use of talking about il. The dem
ocrats will count themselves in, no
matter what majority has been polled
against them. On square count the
state is republican by $4,000, but with
all the election machinery in their
hands they can get any returns they
want" He added that he saw moth
ing to indicate that a Legislative could
be elected that will amend the election
law in way that will prevent dis
honesty in manipulating the votes.
There seems to be a misapprehen-
sion as to the republican birthday
celebration on the 22nd inst, which
was started by the Union Republican
Club of Washington, and has been
pushed along as good thing by the
National officials of the League OF Re
publican Clubs, to judge by publica-
ions in Washington and elsewhere. 1t
has been pointed out by numerous
gentlemen, and may be by some ladies,
100, that the republican party is more
han 40 years old. That there were
ocal organizations of republicans in
several states more than forty years
100 was we'll known to those who first
proposed this celebration of the for
;ieth birthday of the party. But its
birthday as National organization
vas at the National Convention-held
It Pittsburg, Feb. % and %, 1856
which nominated John G. Fremont
or president and launched the repub-
ican party, which four years later