Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-10-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tFrom Our Special correspondent.ys

WASHINGTON. d. c., Sept. "a. ;97.
|. No better refutation of the sensa.
tional tommyrot cabled from Europe
this week about the United States hav.
ing sent an ultimatum to Spain could
have been given the public than the
departure of President Mckinley, At.
torney General McKenna and Secre.
tary Alger for Massachusetts, where
they intend spending week or ten
days in Iestful recreation. 1t must be
evident to all that il there was crisis
at hand, or even expected, the Presi.
dent and two members of his cabinet
would not leave Washington. These
sensational publications are from time
to time originated in, this country for
no other reason than 20 create sensa
ton among the readers OF some news.
papers belonging TO tie school of "yel.
low journalism, butthose which come
from Europe ATE often inspired by
some manipulation of international al poll.
tics, or speculator in bonds. The latest
story caused Spanish bonds to fall in
price in all the European financial cen
ters, and it may have been started for
that very purpose.
There was no surprise in Washing.
ton when news of the unanimous rati-
fication of the annexation treaty by
the Senate of Hawaii was received.
Everybody expected the ratification by
the Hawaiian Senate just as every
body expects the annexation treaty to
be ratified by the U. s. Senate early in
the coming session of Congress.
1t does not happen often that man
is willing to resign a seat in Congress
with almost certainty OF being re-
elected in order to become postmaster
but that is what Representative Francis
II. Wilson, who was this week appoint.
ed postm master of Brooklyn, N. Y, will
do. Mr.. Wilson had just begun his sec
ond term in the House and had made
an unusually good record for the time
he had been in Congress.
Acting Secretary Roosevelt has given
Lieutenant Commander Kimball, who
will direct the movements of the flo
tilla of torpedo boats which will leave
New York October /, for a trip down
the Atlantic coast, his final instruc
tions. This will be the first time that
the United States has had fleet OF
torpedo boats together and the most
will be made of the opportunity to test
the usefulness of this class of boats.
The fleet will consist of five vessels, the
Foote, the Porter, the Dupont, the Err
icson and the Gushing, and its evolu
tions will be closely watched by naval
officers and all who are interested in
increasing the effectiveness of our navy.
The opinion of Attorney General Nc.
Kenna as to the proper construction of
the section of the Dingley tariff impos-
ing discriminating duties, rendered at
the request of Secretary Gage, was
made public this week. 1t is long and
carefully prepared document, taking
the ground thatimportations from other
countries which come through Cana
dian ports are not liable to the discrim-
mating duty; also that the duty should
not'be paid on importations from coun.
tries other than British possessions
shipped in British vessels. This con.
struction will be accepted by the treas
ury department. Senator Elkins, who
was instrumental in changing the word
ing OF that section of the tariff bill
with the especial purpose in view of di.
verting the foreign freight into the U.
5. over the Canadian Pacific railroad
to our own roads, says the matter will
not be dropped but that he will offer a
joint resolution in the Senate to abolish
the bonding privilege, and will also
try to put discriminating duties on inn
portations brought through Canada.
Senator Proctor says the opinion coin
cides with his views and that it will
be especially pleasing TO the busines
men of New England.
Inasmuch as the reports from Ohio
indicate that the Republicans " i'll have
walkover in that State Secretary
sherman may not make any speeches
during the campaign. He is perfectly
willing to go II the campaign managers
regard his presence as needed to insure
Republican success, although it would
be at considerable personal inconven-
ience and discomfort, but with so many
prominent speakers on the stump it is
hardly likely that the Secretary will be
urged to 60. Major Dick paid flying
visit to Washington this week, and he
says the Republicans Of Ohio never
went into a campaign more certain of
winning, and even the Democrats con-
cede that the election of the Republi
can State ticket is certain and say that
they are devoting their efforts to the
legislature.
The monetary conference authorized
by the convention that met in Indian
apolis las. January met in Washington
this week, and organized for business.
The object of the conference is to pre-
pare and recommend financial legisla.
tion to Congress.
The Study of Local History.
The precise method OF instruction
and the thoroughness and extent Of
study Of the particular topic or period
OF the city under consideration, must