Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1897-11-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.
EspE-1AL ooeasspoNoEaoB OF THE MONITOR.
Washington, Noe. IS, 1897.


Senators and representative al
ready in Washington are discussing
with much interest the probable
length of the coming session of Con-
gress. The hope is general that the
session may not exceed six months,
but the opinion is also general that 1t
will dependl entirely upon circum-
stances. If no financial legislation is
attempted, it will be comparatively
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 organic
ing and selecting the House COM
mittees, as is usual at the beginning
of the long session; but if financial
legislation of Importance is to be put
through the House and to be attempt
ed in the Senate, everybody may as
well make up their minds to an ex-
tended siege, with probable failure in
tho end. Knowing the situation in
the Senate, many republicans favor
letting financial legislation alone un-
til it is certain that something can be
accomplished. They argue that the
agi tation 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 a proclamation exempting
Mexican vessels in ballast and steam
vessels from the payment of tonnage
duties usually imposed upon foreign
vessels in our ports, will give Ameri-
can coal complete control of the
Mexican market. 1t was an act of
reciprocity, as Mexico makes the
same exemption in favor of our yes
sells.
The probable choice Of the repubi-
can majority of the Maryland legisla-
ture of successor to Senator Cor
man continues to figure largely in
political conversation in Washington.
Owing to the number of eligibles,
there are wide differences of opinion
as to who will be chosen. The legis
lature meets on the first Wednesday
in January, but it is probable that the
re publican caucus will nominate a
senator day or two before. AS
thirty four votes will be majority
of the caucus, and Baltimore will
have twenty-one of them, it would
seem that Baltimore can easily name
the man if it's votes can be kept to-
gether, but that ''if'' has already as
sumed formidable proportions.
1t is not thought likely that the
conferences now going on between
missioner representing the L, S., and
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Premier of
the Canadian government, will result
in the speedy negotiation of treaty
of reciprocity between the U. S. and
Canada, although that may be the
ultimate result. The present con-
ferences are expected to define the
positions of each government, and, of
course, each will wish to get the most
it can for it's citizens, regardless of
negotiation with Great Britain's rep
entatives-Canada cannot negoti
ate treaty-will determine whether
the give and take spirit is mutual |
enough to result in reciprocity |
treaty. Secretary Wilson will oppose
any reduction in the duties on any
Canadian agricultural products which |
compete with those of our own farm
ers. The ICanadian officials and the
ladies whoiare with them are receiv
ing many social courtesies. Dinners
have been given them by the Presi-
dent, Secretary Sherman and ex-
Secretary Foster.
Postmaster General Gary has been
highly commended for his action in
issuing a fraud order against John
Wedderburn, John Wedderburn & Co.,
and the National Recorder, their pa
per, but he regards it as having been
merely the performance of duty to
protect toe public from frauds who
make use Eof the mails. Evidence
even stronger than that which
brought about the recent disbarment
from practice before the Patent Of
fee ofilWedderburn, for fraud, was
brought out at the Post-Office hear
ing. All mail matter addressed
either to John Wedderburn, John
Wedderburn & Co., Or the National
Recorder, will be stamped ssfraudu
lent" and returned to the writer's.