Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-08-11
Washington Letter.

w ASHlNG1ON, August y, LOO t.-NO
new orders have been given to Minis
ter Sewall, and the story that came
from Hawaii this week about his
having been instructed to establish
protectorate over the islands as soon
as he learned Of the failure of the
senate to act upon the annexation
treaty at the extra session Of con-
gress was largely imaginary. When
Minister Sewall left Washington he
carried definite instructions to raise
the stars and stripes over Hawaii
the minute that any attempt was
made by Japanese, or others, to IN
terfere in any manner with the exist
ing government of Hawaii. Those
instructions have not been supple
mented in any way and are not likely
to be. If any other country interferes
with Hawaii, Minister Sewall will
hoist old glory and the United States
war vessels in the harbor of Honolulu
will see that the flag is kept afoat.
That is all there is of it.
Elk Senator Sanders, of Montana,
who Is now visiting Washington, was
asked what effect, if any, he thought
the Alaska gold discoveries would
have npon the financial question in
this country. He replied: "Ihardly
think that the discovery of large
quantities OF gold in Alaska will tend
to bridge the gap that separates
gold and silver. 1t matters not how
much gold is taken out of the Klon-
dyke field, silver will never regain its
~ A.. i nd -
is doomed, but it will always serve
excellent use AS a subsidiary currency.
But after ALL it may be doubted
whether, even if the Klondyke mines
prove as productive as the most san
guine miners claim, the general con-
dition of the great mass Of our people
will thereby be bettered. 1t may be
doubted whether the California boom
Of 40 produced any prosperity of
national extent. Prosperity is not
the result of such episodes. Money
is abundant enough now; the trouble
is that it lies stacked up in vaults,
and will not come out of its hiding
places"
T. V. Powderly, who was this week
sworn in as commissioner general
of immigration, has only to display
the same common sense IN perform
ing bis duties that be did in answer
ing questions as to his policy to make
him a model official. He fully recog-
nizes that his duty is to enforce laws
and not to make them, as is shown
by his words: "Of course, | have per-
sOnal views on immigration, but
shall follow entirely the laws govern
ing the subject"
In view Of the frequency that free
traders say that p trip to Europe
knocks protection ideas out of intelli-
gent Americans, the following state
ment, made in Washington. by w.
A. Nygh, will be read with interest:
"Aithough | was born in Holland
and am now residing in London, yet
a residence of twenty years in Cali
fornia made of me a pretty thorough
American. | am proud to call my
self an American, for look upon the
people of the United States as the
foremost in the world. | saw huge
steamship discharge her cargo at
Southampton the other day, and as
[ watched the wheat and corn and
machinery of every sort, not to
speak of bicycles without end, that
were landed, the thought came in my
mind that while America can supply
all her needs without going beyond
her own shores, the nations of Europe
cannot do SO; they must send to the
States for many of the necessities
and luxuries of life. This is why [
am SO thoroughly pleased with the
Dingley tariff. The policy of high
protective duties is the only correct
one for this country. | would not
care if the tariff was prohibitory as
to imports. The other countri es
would squirm, but they are powerless
to do anything to weaken our posi-
ton. They must trade with US
whether we buy from them or not.
| predict that the Dingley law will re-
store prosperity to this country, and
that hereafter there will be no
thought of changing to tariff for
revenue. If the Americans want to
keep in the lead of other nations, the
protective policy is the certain way