Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-02-11
WASHINGTON LETTER
lFrom Our Regular Correspondent



Nations, like individuals, must be
judged by their records rather than
their assertions. England has along
diplomatic record, and 1t Is prac-
tically all one way-that Of turning
every thing possible to her own adj
vantage. When one stables that
record aud bring q little every. day
common sense to bear upon that arbi-
tration treaty, he is very apt to ar
rive at the conclusion, that the
amendments reported to the Senate
by the committee on foreign relations
are wise and necessary precautions to
prevent England taking future ad-
vantage OF the United States by
claiming the right to submit matters
to arbitration which should not be
submitted. And no one who will
take the trouble to ascertain the OBJ
legations of King Oscar, of Sweden,
to England ought to doubt the wis
dom of striking out that clause of
the treaty, which made King Oscar
the umpire. No matter how honest
man may be he cannot help being
biased in favor of those to whom he
is obligated. In addition to these
arguments In favor of the amend
ments to the treaty, the criticism of
them by the English press indicates
very plainly that the original treaty
was considered more favorable to
England than the United States.
Although the Republicans are as
yet only certain of having 43 Seuat-
ors after March 4th, there is no long
er any doubt about the Senate pass
ing the Republican tariff bill at the
coming extra session of Congress. In
deed the votes to pass it are already
assured. The Ways and Means COM
mittee is making good progress in the
preparation of the new tariff bill, and
Chairman Dingley has no doubts
about its being ready to be reported
as soon as the new House Is ready to
receive 1t, The Republicans of the
committee have been unusually har-
monious in their opinions on the
schedules Of the bill that have up to
this time been completed, and there
Is no reason to suppose that they will
lie otherwise upon any portion of the
bill.
There is more or less discussion
among the Republicans in Congress
on the views OF Mr.. Gage, the Secre-
tary of the Treasury select, based
largely upon letter he wrote to the
chairman of the House Committee
on Banking and Currency in 1894,
and recent newspaper interview
purporting to quote Mr.. Gage. In
view of this discussion the opinion
expressed of Mr.. Gage by several
republican members Of the present
House Committee on Banking and
Currency is both timely and interest
ing. Chairman Walker said: II
think Mr.. Gage a very able and
practical man, and business man
before he is a banker. l think, when
he realizes what the public sentiment
is, that he will accomplish what he
has suggested ia his letter in way
that will be acceptable to the people.
Certainly after study of the situa-
tion he will act as circumstances
will compel him to do, when he takes
the management OF the treasury"
Representative Brosius said: II do
not think the views expires ed by Mr..
Gage two years ago are such as he
would deem wise at the present time.
l have great faith In his intelligence
and experience as banker, and be-
lieve, that he has console tious pur-
pose to do his best to relieve the
monetary situation from its difflc-
ulties, which will guide him to a suit:
able safe, and conservative policy In
relation to our money" Represen-
tative McCleary said: Regarding the
increase of bank circulation and the
reduction of the tax thereon, / pre-
sumo there will be much difference
of opinion. What the process should
be for the retiring OF the greenbacks
without unduly contracting the cur
rency, ! am not willing to say of
hand. 1 think while Mr.. Gage has
given his views in perfect good faith,
the fact that he now is to assume
the responsibility himself, as with
every right-minded man, will serve
to intensity his thoughts. The pass.
ing of thought through that hot
crucible will refine it In some ways
that he himself is not now conscious
Of" There is a general disposition
ameng the Republicans to express
confidence in the successful admins.
tration of the treasury by Mr.. Gage
Representative Curtis, of Kansas
says Of the Free-Homestead Bill,
which is now on the House calendar
The bill was intended, when intro
duced by Mr.. Flynn. the delegatx