The Press., 1897-11-18
Washington Letter.
Washington Nov. 1b. IS

Washington, Nov. 15, 1SS7.
 The only representative of prominence who has turned up in Washington with the positive opinion that the coming session of congress would pass financial bill, is Mr. Fowler, of N. J., a member of the house banking and currency commit tee. He not only has that opinion, but he has the courage to express it, and to add the prophecy that if the republicans fail to put through financial measure, they will be punished at the congression- al election of next year, by losing con- trol of the house. He even goes further, and says that if the monetary conference formulates financial measure that ap- pears to be sound, it will be forced through congress by the power or public opinion. This opinion is so directly Op- posed to those which have been expressed by other senators and representatives himself, so far. He may of course, be right, but it is nevertheless the general opinion in Washington that no power on earth would be strong enough to get any measure recommended by the monetary conference through the senate, as it now stands. It has been stated by men of prominence that the financial recommen- dations of President McKinley's message will be made merely to put himself and his administration on record, and that while the house may pass some bill or bills in accordance herewith, no serious attempt will be made to force action by the senate, because it is regarded as use- less.
 One of the things that are especially surprising to those who have been un- successful applicants for office under several administrations, is the frequency with which the ex-of1ce holders walk off with the best things on the official pie counter. For instance, before it had be- come generally known that Judge Walker Fearn had, on account of i'll health about decided to resign his seat on the interna- tion mixed court at Cairo, Egypt,-a life time place, practically, with easy work and salary of $7, 800 year,-it was an- nounced that General Geo. s. Batchellor, of New York, ex-minister of Portugal, ex-assist. Secretary of the treasury, and the holder of this same position for about ten years, would be recommended by the president to fill this vacancy, when it oc- cured. The appointment is made by the Khediye of EgvDt
 Social attentions of all kinds arc being given to Sir Wilfred Lauaier, the Cana dian premier, and the party of officials and ladies which accompany him, by members of the administration. Presi- dent Mckinley started the ball by giving an elaborate dinner in honor of Sir Will fred, which was followed by a dinner and reception given by Secretary Sherman, ,and another dinner by ex-Secretary Foster. That is as far as they have gone, but they haven't been in Washington week yet. Sir Wilfred attends the conferences between the British Canadian and Ameri- can seal experts, but only as an interest ed spectator. His principal object in coming to Washington was to endeavor to discover whether it will be possible to negotiate reciprocity treaty under the provisions of the Dingley tariff law, and he is now holding conferences on that subject, with Hon. John A. Kasson, special commissioner for the negotiation of reciprocity treaties. Of course, he can- not negotiate treaty that must be done by the British government.
 Uncle Sam's last shot into the ranks of the fake business concerns was a de- structive one. It was in the shape of an official order of the postmaster general declaring John Wedderburn, John We'd derburn & Co, and the National Record CT to be frauds, and denying them the further use of the mails. Wedderburn had previously been disbarred from prac- tice before the patent office for defrauding clients. Newspapers which continue to carry Wedderburn & Co.'S. advertisement will be in danger of being shut out of the mails
 Assistant Secretary Roosevelt gives the following reasons why we need a larger navy: "We need a powerful fight ing navy, a navy including an ample number of torpedo boats, an ample force of sea-going battleships, and also armored cruisers, which should possess great coal endurance and carry an abundance of heavy rapid fire guns. We cannot avoid our responsibilities. We have announced again and again, our adherence to the Monroe doctrine. Unless we are willing to be put in the contemptible attitude of those who buster without being able to back up their words with deeds we must prove that our attitude about the Monroe doctrine is not sham. To prove this means that we must have a powerful navy. If we annex Hawaii, as every con- sideration of interest and honor bids, we shall need an adequate navy to enforce our position on the Pacific. If we do not annex Hawaii, we shall need a much larger navy, as Hawaii cannot stand alone; some other power must necessarily take it, and from that moment menace our whole Pacific coast. If we have a proper navy it will not tend toward war, but toward peace"