The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-01-03
W ashingt0n Letter!
From our regular Correspondent /

OF his life when he sent that message
in favor of the Monroe doctrine to
Congress. But he mistook the ap-
plause for the sentiments in the mes
sage for applause for himself and in
his egotism thought that because
Congress promptly adopted his recon-
mendation for the appointment of q
commission to ascertain the real boun-
dairy between British Guiana and Ven
ezuela that it was ready to anything
else he wanted done. So he joined the
British who were trying to punish the
United States for daring to stand up
for the Monroe doctrine by forcing us
into q financial panic, and sent
special message to Congress urging
immediate financial legislation and
asking that no Christmas recess be
taken until some such legislation as
retiring the greenbacks or authorizing
an issue of gold bonds should have
been put through.
In saying that it was Mr.. Cleveland's
egOtism that caused him to write that
financial message it is putting very
charitable construction upon his act.
Others do not hesitate to say that he
did it because he was ratified by the
British attacks upon our finances and
by call which was issued by the New
York Chamber of Commerce for a
meeting to condemn the Monroe doc
trine message. He is said to have sent
a member Of the cabinet to New York
to prevent that meeting and his mes
senger is reported to have made deal
the meeting was declared off
and Mr. Cleveland's hysterical message
was sent to Congress.
So far as Congress and the American
people are concerned, the message will
do neither good nor harm-Congress
will provide for the deficit with tariff
legislation-but it will unquestionably
do much harm to our interests in
England. It will cause the British to
think that Mr.. Cleveland has become
frightened and already regrets his
Delligerent message; and it will also
them to keep up their
to throw us into a financial
panic. No possible good can be ac-
,ompllshed by Congress remaining in
session during Christmas week, be-
cause even if the House had already
passed the measure which will be re-
ported from the Ways and Means
Committee, the Senate would not be
to act On it until its reorgan-
zation has been accomplished. The
ilver men in the Senate, who have an
majority, say nothing
an pass that doesn't provide in some
way for a more extended use of silver.
Speaker Reeds committee assig n
nents contain some personal disap-
but that was under the
circumstances unavoidable there were
more loading republicans than there
Fere leading places. But it is credita-
lie to those who were disappointed
hat they have accepted the situation
hilosophically. Representative
'ayne, of N. Y, merely keeps his old
lace on the Ways and Means Com
nittee, the Craftsmanship going to
Dlngley, Of Maine, but
fr. Payne is given in addition the
of the Committee on
lerchant Marine and Fisheries, which
n an unusual honor, as members of
he Ways and Means Committee are
eldom given chairmanships. Cannon,
f Ills, got the craftsmanship of the
on Appropriations, but
of Iowa, his rival for that
onor, got a much coveted place on
he Committee on Rules, as did Dali
ell, of Pa, who was at one time
hought to be in line for the head of
he Ways and Means Committee.
Walker, of Mass, got the Banking and
currency craftsmanship, and Hit, OF
lls., that of Foreign Affairs, as it had
cen understood all along they would,
ut there were lots of surprises among
he minor chairmanships.
Admiral Meade, U. S. n, in lee
IRE on "The Caribbean Sea" took
ccasion to say that he considered the
uperiority of the individual vessels OF
ur Navy an offset for the excess of
essels in the British Navy which was
efficient to prevent any fear ON our
art of a contest. He also said: III
m no prophet nor sol OF prophet,
ut l predict here tonight that should
var between the United States and
treat Britain come, the first shot fired
~ .atest IT. 6. Govt ReDort