The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-05-22
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent

either pleasure or satisfaction from
bond question. 1t had scarcely recov
ered from the chagrin caused by the
adoption of that resolution directing
the Senate Finance committee to in
vestigate everything connected with
all the bond issues by this administers
tion, with only six adverse votes, when
Senator Dubois of Idaho, threw fresh
bomb shell by Offering joint resolu-
tion providing that hereafter no bonds
shall oe issued by any officer of the
government until the president has
explained to Congress the necessity
for the bond the amount of the pro-
posed issue, and Congress shall have
authorized their issue. There is lit
tie probability that this resolution will
ever reach the dignity of law, as it
would certainly meet a Presidential
veto should it be adopted by both
branches of Congress, and it could not
get a twO-thirds vote in the Senate.
Still, it added to the unpleasant sensa-
tiOn Of Dir. Cleveland and his Cabinet.
Speaking of yetoes, the friends of
the river and harbor bills are so GER
tain that Mr.. Cleveland will veto it
that they have already made a careful
canvass of both House and Senate
with view to passing it over his veto,
and they express confidence Of being
able to do so.
1t is now certain that Congress will
not adjourn on the date-May 18-set
by the joint resolution which was ad-
opted by the House last week, and not
probable that adjournment will come
until after June LIST, although the Sen
ate could materially shorten the ses-
sion if so disposed; but owing to no
party having majority in the Senate
no man can say what it will or will
not do with any degree of the CORE CT
ness of his assertion. There have
been vague rumors of a deliberate in
tention to prolong the session until
after the National Conventions have
been held, by starting up a financial
discussion, but none OF the leaders on
either side take any stock in such a
scheme, and Senators as wide apart in
their general ideas as Mr.. Allison of
Iowa, and Mr.. German, of Nd, agree
in expressing the opinion that Con-
gres will adjourn before the meeting
of the st. Louis convention.
Considerable criticism has been
aroused by the action of the House
in following the example of the Senate
and voting to allow members 500 a
month during the entire year for the
hire of clerk, instead of only during
the time that Congress is actually in
session. The vote was 13O to 1O8.
Ali inquiries at. the State Depart
ment to ascertain what, if any, steps
bave been taken in behalf of the AM
erican citizens who were captured on
the alleged fillibuster, "Competitor''
and who after a so called trial been
sentenced to death by the Spanish au-
thorities, are met with the resistance
usual to that department.. From
| other sources it is understood that
Secretary Olney has made protest
against the sentences being carried
out until an investigation has been
made by U. S. officials. A demand
backed by a warship, would have been
much more fitting than a protest.
These cases are exciting much interest
in Congress.
The prospects of the erection of a
|! sui table monument at the National
Capitol. in memory of Gen. Grant, are
now very promising. Senator Squire's
resolution, appropriating 100000 fol
the monument, to be erected on grounC
owned by the Government, is in a fail
way to become law before the expir
alton of the tiity-fourth Congress, ant
Grant monument association ha
been formed for the purpose of raising
additional money by private subscrip
ton to be expended on the monument
Senator Squire, who has been electe'
President of this association has re
ceived letter from Mrs. Grant thank
him for his efforts and indorsing hi
resolution. The ball is now rolling
and it will not be allowed to stop un
til that monument has been secured
The people of the United States neve
meant to neglect to pay a suitabl
tribute to the memory of Gen. Gran!
it has merely been deferred.
J Senator Hill is democratic states
man of high degree, as statesmen g
in that party. His term as Senate
will close next March, and during b
nearly six years in Senate, he has bee
responsible for but one bill, and th'
has not yet become law, although
has passed the Senate and has bee
fav0rably reported on from the Hou
Committee on Interstate and Foreil
Commerce. And what think you
: this great and m0mentous piece