The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-11-26
Washington Letter.
lFrom our regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, ID. G.. Nov. 81, 1897

J ~ w aShiHS gun are discussing
with much interest the probable
length of the coming session of Con.
gress. The hope is general that the
session may not exceed six months.
but the opinion is also general that it
Will depend entirely upon circum-
stances. If no financial legislation is
attempted, it will be comparatively
easy to complete the business of the
session by the first of June, possibly as
early as the first OF May, as no time
will have to be lost in organizing and
selecting the House Committees, as is
usual at the beginning of the long
session; but if financial legislation of
Importance is to be put through the
House and to be attempted in the
Senate, everybody may as we'll make
up their minds to an extended siege.
with probable failure in the end.
Knowing the situation in the Senate.
many republicans favor letting finan-
cial legislation alone until it is certain
that something Can be accomplished
They argue that the agitation that
would necessarily accompany an at
tempt to legislate on the subject would
hurt business and could do no good.
1t is thought by those who ought to
know that the Presidents action in
issuing proclamation exempting
Mexican vessels in ballast and steam
vessels from the payment of tonnage
duties usually imposed upon foreign
vessels in our ports, will give Ameri-
can coal complete control of the Mexi-
can market. 1t was an act of recipro-
city, as Mexico makes the same ex-
emption in favor of our vessels.
The probable choice of the republi-
can majority of the Maryland legisla-
ture of successor to Senator German
continues to figure largely in political
conversation in Washington. Owing
to the number of eligibles, there are
wide differences of opinion as to who
will be chosen. The legislature meets
on the first Wednesday in January,
but it is probable that the republican
caucus will nominate a Senator day
or two before. AS thirty-four votes
will be a majority of the caucus, and
Baltimore will have twenty one of
them, it would seem that Baltimore
can easily name the man if its votes
can be kept together, but that eff" has
ready assumed formidable proportions.
1t is not thought likely that the
conferences now going on between
Hon. John A. Kasson, Special Com
missioner representing the U. S. and
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Premier of
the Canadian government, will result
In the speedy negotiation of a treaty
of reciprocity between the U. S. and
Canada, although that may be the
ultimate result. The present confer
ences are expected to define the posi-
tions of each government, and, Of
course, each will wish to get the most
it can for it's citizens, regardless of the
interests of the other. Later negotia-
ton with Great Britain representa-
tives-Canada cannot negotiate a
treaty-will determine whether the
give and take spirit is mutual enough
to result in reciprocity treaty. Sec
retary Wilson will oppose any reduc-
tion in the duties on any Canadian
agricultural products which compete
with those of our own farmers. The
Canadian officials and the ladies who
are with them are receiving many
social courtesies. Dinners have been
given them by the President, Secretary
Sherman and Ex-Secretary Foster.
Postmaster General Gary has been
highly commended for his action in
issuing fraud order against John
Wedderburn & Co., and the National
Recorder, their paper, but he regards
it as having been merely the perform
ance of duty to protect the public
from frauds who make use o. the
mails. Evidence even stronger than
that which brought about the recent
disbarrment from practice before the
Patent Office of Wedderburn, for fraud,
was brought out at the Post Office
hearing. All mail matter addressed
either to John Wedderburn, John
Wedderburn & Co. or the National
Recorder will be stamped fraudulent"
and returned to the writer's. News
papers which continue to print We'd
derburn & Cos. advertisement may
fin d themselves called to book by the
Post Office authorities.
Chairman Cannon, of the House
Appropriations Committee, doesn't in
tend that the work of his committee
shall furnish any excuse for lengthen-
ing the coming session of Congress.
He has announced all OF the sub-com-
mittees and notified the members to
report for work on the appropriation