Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-12-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From Our Special Corrspondent.)
WASHINGTON. Dec. 8. 1897.

light Of the observations which have
made upon my tour, 1t is my candid
Judgment that the change We have ex-
perienced from universal depression and
dissatisfaction to general prosperity and
contentment in the short period of eight
months under the administration of Nc
Kinley is phenomenal, Incompatible and
without precedent in our history" That
is the testimony Of Assistant Secretary
of War Meiklejohn, who las just re-
turned from six weeks toui of the mil
itary posts OF the Government from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, dudng which he
came in contact with allsorts and con-
ditions of men, and had agood opportu-
nifty to observe the genera condition OF
affairs. The fact .hst Mr. Meiklejohn
travelled through the same States and
territories in December, 1894, when the
country was just beginning to fully re-
alize the terrible effect o, Clevelandism
and free trade, enabled him to form more
vivid Impressions Of tie contrast be-
tween then and now. OF the trip from
which he has Just returned, he said: az
made point OF conversing with men in
all walks OF life, and sought to get the
views OF those who were engaged In
variety Of occupations. II was the uni
versal testimony, and my personal OBJ
servation confirms IL, that an era of
prosperity has dawned for the United
States such as has not blessed our people
0nnd antn nd
the Mckinley tariff.r
Judge Day, Assistant Secretary OF
State, settled all rumors connecting his
name with the succossorship to Attor-
ney General McKenna, when that gen.
tlemen succeeds Justice Field upon the
bench Of the United States Supreme
Court, by stating that he had for per-
sonal reasons declined the portfolio Of
Attorney General, which President Nc
Kinley offered him. So far as anything
to the contrary Is known in Washing
ton, Judge Day finds his present posi-
sition congenial and has no intention Of
leaving it.
With few exceptions Republican Sen
ators and Representatives are of the
opinion that President McKinley's hand
ling OF Cuban matters has been such as
to justify Congress In leaving it entirely
of the House adopting the Joint resolu-
ton, declaring in favor of the recogni-
tion of the belligereiicy of the Cubans,
now express their Willingness to leave
the whole business 70 be dealt with by
the President. Representative Cannon,
the veteran Chairman Of the Appropria-
ton Committee, said jocularly of the
situation: ~ don't know what in the
world we shall do for speeches now, that
they have turned ali the Americans
Free"
Chairman Cannon, Of the House Ap-
preparation Committee, speaking Of the
general policy of the committee in pre-
pairing appropriation bills at this ses-
sion said: 81 believe in liberal, but not
an extravagant policy in making appro-
priations, and untilt urrevenues increase
shall oppose enteri ig upon new enter
prises requiring th yexpenditure OF Gov
ernment funds" IS an expert upon
financial matter. 8thore, iA. 40 man In
Congress whose opinion carries more
weight than that OF Mr.. Cannon. He
says that by the close of the present fis.
cal year, the Dingley tariff bill will be
producing sufficient revenues to met the
Legitimate expenditures of the Govern.
ment AS to the probable length Of the
session he said ave should be away
from here easily by the first of June.'
He doubts whether any important legis
latiOn will be accomplished, owing tc
the condition of the Senate.
Representative Stone, of Pa, will en-
deavor to ser action on th lmmigra.
ton questio, . this session of Congress
| Speaking of vie necessity for such ac
tion, he said: pennsylvania is today
suffering from & horde of alien laborers
| who have poured into our mining and
oil regions, and have nearly driven ma
/ tive Americans out, because the latter
can not compete with the pauperized
| foreign element IL is shame and dis
| grace, an outrage that Congress should
not allow to continue. These fellows
from abroad, have standard of living
but little, if any, superior to the Chinese
and their presence is awakening the
same discomfort and Indignation that
the presence of the Asiatics evoked or
the Pacific coast. II they are not speed
lily forbidden landing on our soil there
will be no chance for our people, en-
| gagged in the employments named, tC
make a bare subsistence. l hope to SEE
an act passed that will exclude them
at least for period of ten years."
President Mckinley, Speaker ReeC
and all of the other Republican leaders
in Congress are determined that nothing
shall be done at this session Of Congress
that it is in their power TO prevent, tina
will be likely to disturb the business o.
the country.