Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-02-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent
wAsnIsoros. D. G.. Feb. 5, 1879.

diplomatic record, and it is practi-
cally all one way that of turning
everything possible to her own adj
vantage. When one studies that
common sense TO bear upon that ar
bitration treaty, he is very apt to ar
rive at the conclusion that the
amendment reported to the senate
by the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions are wise and necessary precau-
tions to prevent England taking a
future advantage of the United
States by claiming the right to sub
nit matters to arbitration which
should not be so submitted. And no
one who will take the trouble to ascer-
tain the obligations of King Oscar,
of Sweden, to England ought to doubt
the wisdom of striking out that
clause of the treaty which made King
Oscar the umpire. No matter how
honest man may be he cannot help
whom he is obligated.
Although the republicans are as
yet only certain of having forty-three
senators after March 4, there is no
longer any doubt about the senate
passing the republican tariff bill at
the coming extra session of congress.
Indeed. the votes necessary to pass it
are already assured. The Ways and
Means committee is making good
progress in the preparation Of the
new tariff bill, and Chairman Ding
ley has no doubts about it being
ready to be reported as soon as the
new house is ready toreceive it. The
republicans of the committee have
been unusually harmonious in their
opinions on the schedules of the bill
that have up to this time been COM
pleted, and there is no reason to sup
pose that they will be otherwise upon
any portion of the bill.
There is more or less discussion
among republicans in congress on the
views of Mr.. Gage, the secretary OF
the treasury ELECT, based largely upon
IA 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 dis
cussion the opinion expressed of Mr..
Gage by several republican members
Of the present house Committee on
Banking and Currency is both timely
and interesting. Chairman Walker
said: 81 think Mr.. Gage very able
and practical man, and a business
man before he is a banker. | think
when he realizes what the public
sentiment is he will accomplish what
he has suggested in his letter in
way that will be acceptable to the
people. Certainly after a study Of
the situation he will act as circum-
stances will compel him to when he
takes the management of the treas
ury." Representative Brosius said:
:" | do not think the views expressed
by Mr.. Gage two years ago are such
as he would deem wise at the present
time. have great faith in his intel
ligence and experience as banker,
and believe that he has conscien-
tious purpose to do his best to relieve
the monetary situation from its diff
culties, which will guide him to a
suitable safe and conservative policy
sentative McCleary said: Regard
ing the increase of bank circulation
and the reduction Of the tax thereon,
l presume there will be much differ
ence of opinion. | 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
passing 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
among republicans to express conf
dence in the successful administra-
ton of the treasury by Mr.. Gage.
The senate gave up a considerable
portion of last week to the Nicaragua
canal bill and the several resolutions
dealing with the somewhat compli-
Gated relations Of the government to
the Pacific railroads. while the house
in addition to the appropriation bills
has settled several contested election
cases. Two important amendments
have been offered to the Nicaragua
canal bill. One by Senator Teller
providing that a survey shall precede
the government guarantee. and that
if the estimated cost shall exceed