The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-09-24

SHELTON wants big single mill,
and wants it bad. There is fortune
in it for some capitalist who will start
such mill, or any other kind OF a
wood working mill here, where the
supply of all necessary woods is un-
limited, convenient and cheap. Given
the mill and Shelton will have rail-
road connection in short order.
WE are indeed a republic of patriotic
people; some thirty odd years ago
thousands gave up their lives in their
country's cause; and now thousands
are fighting their way to the Alaska
goldields with the prospect that many
of them will give up their lives to
bring prosperity to themselves and
the country.
A READER has sprung the follow
ing, which he calls logical conun-
drum, on us:
"Why is the Republican Party pur-
er than it fused to be""
And when you give it up, he an
swers:
Because there are so many villains
that fused to be Republicans
Well, there is something in that.
Hawaii has taken the final step to-
wards annexation, the Hawaiian con-
gress by unanimous vote and without
opposition, having Iatifed the annex
alton treaty on September 10th. 1t
now remains only for the United
States senate to ratify the treaty to
make the island republic part of the
Union. Little Japan has failed to
make its bluff good.
If it is true that the big corpora
tions control McKinley's administra-
ton, as some Of our Populist friends
have been wont to allege, isn't it just
a bit queer that Secretary Bliss should
overthrow the opinion of former Com
missioner Lamoreax, of the United
States land department, and, by decid
ing that marble and other nom metali-
ferrous rock is mineral, take from the
Northern Pacific railroad some of its
most valuable lands to which patent
had been granted by the former COM
missioner? If the Populists are right
in their claims see how quickly the
president will drop Secretary Bliss
over the precipice.-P.-L.
THE "yellow" fever is breaking out
in all sections of the Northwest, and
almost every week there is stampede
in a new direction, attracted by re-
ports of new discoveries. This week
it is in Whatcom county near Mt.
Baker, where some splendid specimens
have been discovered, and every man
who is footloose has gone to the mines.
The mines are in the vicinity of Han
negan Pass, where the well-known
"boomer." ]. D. flanagan, has been
operating since he left Union City.
Johnnie always told us that he had
something good in the mountains, and
now we believe him.
The department. has given notice
that postoffice has been established
at st. Michaels and this will be good
news to those who have relatives and
friends in the Klondike or on the way
there, and as it will make a certain
mail delivery in Alaska. Heretofore
all letters went to Juneau or Unalaska
and depended on the kindness of the
officials or of travellers for delivery. It
IS also reported that this government
will establish an office at Skaguay.
and arrange for service across the
pass In connection with the Canadian
government. Uncle Sam certainly
recognizes the Importance of the great
unknown country and will do his part
toward aiding the hardy miner to ex-
plore and develop the country. We
may soon expect to hear from our
boys in Alaska more frequently.
The Office of collector of customs at
Port Townsend, either through the
principal or his assistants, has general
~ been source of considerable fraud,
and now ex-Collector Saunders, who
was recently succeeded by Col.
Heustis, is having some trouble with
Uncle Sam. OF late, since the chinese
restriction act has been in force, large
numbers OF Cinnamon have been max
ing their way into this country
through the Port Townsend office, and
it was recently given out that nearly
thousand of the celestials were I'M
lawfully passed, and about $3.50 for
each heather went into somebody's
pocket. An intercepted letter which
has been published would indicate that
the Collector was in on the deal
Special officers recently raided china
house In Townsend and discovered in
eliminating letters in Chinese lam
guage against the heather who did
tha intorprof;pr e.. A. 80,