Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-02-09
STRENGTH.
Its Influence at Present in
the United States Senate.
Claims Of Cuban .Lsadsrs-.Wan
Nothing But Absolute Freedom.
House Ia Funny mood-1hs Free Seed Ap'
proprlaiIen Dill.

washington, Feb. 8.-(SpeciaD.-Tne
chances al. that the general arbitration
treaty between this country and Great
Britain will now be ratified by the senate.
1t is almost certain tia. vote Will not be
reached during tho present congress, or, II
one be reached, that the treaty will be re-
jected. In this connection it Is true that
the silver men Of the senate are showing
their teeth toward England. Mr.. Teller,
who is the leader Of oil the silver forces In
the senate, admitted to me the other day
that those who sympathize with him were
in part led t0Nntagonize the arbitration
treaty because OfAtheir desire to impress
Great Britain with the fact that they arc
still of some importance in tho upper
branch Of the American congress. The
silver men are of some Importance In the
senate. They now hold majority over
all, and even after March 4 they will not
fall far short of u majority. They expect
to have at least IS silver votes in the next
senate, and they may have 81. II they
wished to do so, they could combine with
the antisilver Democrats who are opposed
to Republican tariff legislation and defeat,
or at least greatly harass, the tariff bill
which President Elect Mckinley hopes tn
place upon the statute books by July l..
But the understanding among the silver
senators Is that they will not offer any fac.
tious opposition to the Republican tariff,
but will permit it to 60 through, SO that
the dominant party may as soon as posi-
BILE he made completely responsible for
whatever happens to the prosperity Of tn,
country under its regime.
Cuban Matters.
Among the public men of Washington
find very few who believe the Cuban In
surgents will accept the reform plans which,
Spain has decided to offer them. 1t Is true
that President Cleveland and Secretary
Olney hope the insurgents will lay down
their arms on u compromise basis. But
the president and the secretary Of state get
all their information concerning the situa
ton in Cuba from the Spanish. They d.
not hear the other side Of the story at all
This is so in the nature of the case. By
diplomatic usage they are forbidden Ia
have anything to do with the representa-
tives of the insurgents. There IL SO called
Cuban legation here, with minister anti
two secretaries; but the state department
has no dealings with 1t, not even any OF
an unofficial and informal nature. Those
senators and representatives who have tax
en- the trouoie 10 keep themselves well IN.
formed concerning the developments Of
the Cupan war have little faith that spain
really intends to Institute genuine govern
mental reforms IN Cuba and still less ehat
the insurgent leaders will accept anything
short OF absolute independence for the Is
land.
secret Letter.
At the so called Cuban legation today !
was told that they have letters from all
their leaders in Cuba, and every man de.
clares for independence or death. The Gu,
bans in this country have not much trou
pie IN communicating with their iriencs
~ Ou't'. my s.u IC.'ers " uener"'
w u'ino1 anu " iie ~, Cisnetos w An."ns
VI eAp 'ss.o; lhey a,so ,n,rust 1neif
:on a IA mn. ~ 'f.,,elers wno aie go
ing, ~ 90. i". .s. anu ~ o..ier ss0prs, ~hse
sy Ia" 80 " .n aa.s VI ..lonus wno
,na,, - NV tSo,, NV nuo .n Sa., O..
. nen ~ M.o'n .ney nle auuresstN Oiusi'
. .n.so e1 I'n. , ar1 pleN IN nv
eo'e' ~ III, op.s, pe'".en .nc layers Vi leatn
81. ne o, ., vi uisis'cnes may IN
scar ~ ~ ,n 20! sH.nisn' Ic 70 90 iucK
.esn as s,, W ls'a. 'no .eir .iu.c anu tney
WI w., ",SooI ' no'nlns .on.ro =. upU,i
mn NJ, ,e', ,. "se written IN Invisible
a LIN, .Sa y i .lS u ua nase
LII. ~; ~: ouSn .ne anu anercal'
Wars ~ .n's way Al le''eIs Una. 90 1m.o
t.. s''' "lo oponeu " Snonu.Aori'les. Anc
.ha ' 80. oe g.. or pei.oou " ~ on ~
80 s,e Gni." Ses Duo .ne Spanish,
~ '...s % e.,os e''s, o'noo ""nys uesee'
wv iou ..,n. "nnon osr ssee1 .Iohes, lor,
o upo. VIC" 10 "pp ~ - plsty ulann
49, ~ IS 'on .'s lns,siple VIII,
th;. - . .~ a. , =. suo" Ie'oIIs ="
WI . u' ny ~, az s NJ voa enem
,,4 ~ U.s. anu .',eio 'no oif'i"c'ers s'<'i''
'"0 ID pau" .S u"y
An Alleged Joke.
One recent day the house of representa-
tives fell into funny mood. The house
sometimes docs this The Oldest and stead
lest members catch tho spirit of fun, like
SO many schoolboys, and great sport fol
lows. On the occasion in question the
prolific subject Of appropriations for seeds
for free distribution to the constituents of
senators and members was under discus
sion. Many We're the jokes and gibes SUBJ
United. One Of the best was cracked by
Mr.. Mercer, the representative from the
Omaha district of Nebraska Oddly