Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1897-11-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Coming Session of Con-
gress.

BE Attempted-Our Coal to Mexico
Gormans uccessor--Reciprocity with
Canada-The wedderburn Co.
Senators and Representatives al
ready in Washington are discussing
with much interest the probable
length of the coming session of Con-
gress. Tho hope is general that the
session may not exceed six months,
but the opinion is also general that
1t will depend entirely upon circum-
stances. If no financial legislation
is attempted, it will be comparative
ly 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 be
ginning of the long session but if
financial legislation of importance is
to be put through the House and to
be attempted i'll the Senate, every
body 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
financial legislation alone until it
is certain that something can be ac-
complished. They argue that the
agitation that would necessarily ac-
company an attempt 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 ton
mage duties usually imposed upon
foreign vessels in our ports, will give
American coal complete control of
the Mexican market. 1t was an act
of reciprocity, Mexico makes the
same exemption in favor of our
vessels.
The probable choice of the Re-
publican majority of the Maryland
Legislature of q successor to Senator
German continues to figure largely
in political conversation in Wash
ington. 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 Senator a day OF
two before. AS thirty-four votes
will be majority of the caucus, and
Baltimore will haze twenty one of
them, it would seem that Baltimore
can easily name the man if it's votes
can be kept together, but that eff
has already assumed formidable
proportions,
1t is not likely that the confer
ences now going on between Hon
John A. Kasson, special com
missioner representing the United
States, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the
Premier of the Canadian govern.
ment, will result in the speedy
negotiation of treaty Of
reciprocity between the United
States and Canada, although that
may be the ultimate result. The
present conferences are expected tt
| define the positions of each govern
, ment, and, of course, each will wisl
to get the most it can for its citi
zens, regardless of the interests o.
: the other. Later negotiation will
Great Britain representatives-Can
ada cannot negotiate treaty-wil
determine whether the give anC
take spirit is mutual enough to re
suit in reciprocity treaty. Secre
tary Wilson will oppose any reduc
J ton in the duties on any Canadian
, agricultural products which com
. pete 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 Presi
dent, Secretary Sherman and Elk
Secretary Foster.
Postmaster General Gary has beer
Q highly commended for his action il
r issuing a fraud order against Johl
Wedderburn, John Wedderburn &
Co., and the National Recorder, thei
paper, but he regards it as havinI
J been merely the performance o
s duty to protect the public from
frauds who make use of the mails
4 Evidence even stronger than tina
which brought about the recent dis
barrment from practice before th
Q Patent Office of Wedderburn, fo
Il fraud, was brought out at the Pos
a Office hearing. All mail matter ad
: dressed either to John Wedderburn
John Wedderburn & Co., or tn
d National Recorder will be stampe
70 ''fraudulent" and returned to TIA
writers. Newspapers which cor
tinue to print -Wedderburn s. Co
advertisement may find themselve
called to book by the Postoffice AT
> thorities,
q Chairman Cannon, of the Hous
Appropriations Committee, doesn
u intend that the work of his con
r mittee shall furnish any excuse fl
a