The Press., 1897-10-28
Washington Letter.

Washington, Oct. 4, 1S9T.
 Senator Bacon, of Ga., is the only man of prominence seen in Washington for some time who publicly opposes the rati- fcation of the treaty for the annexation of Hawaii, and expresses the opinion that the treaty will fail in the senate. MT. Bacon says Hawaii is only lot of vol canoes fringed by land, and that he does not consider it consistent with our form of government to add a state that Is 2,OO0 miles from our nearest coast, and to &C., centuate h1s view, he adds :" It would be a matter to which the American people would never be reconciled, if in some close presidential election, the choice of of president should be determined by the vote of Hawaii It would be equally objectionable if in closely balanced sen- ate, the question of the passage or defeat of a bill affecting the entire country should be decided by the vote of the Hawaiian senator's" MT. Bacon ex- presses the belief that majority of the senate favors the treaty, but that the two- thirds necessary for ratification will not be secured. Opinion is almost unani- mously the other way in Washington, and that if the opponents of annexation do not resort to fillibustering to prevent a vote, a treaty will be ratified within sixty days of the opening session of congress.
 Gov. Brady, of Alaska, says in his annual report to the secretary of the in- terior: "Ship-load after ship-load of gold seekers and their freight has been rushed to the extreme limit of salt water navi- gationIynn CanaD, and there they have been literally dumped upon the beach, some above high water and many below, as they learned to their sorrow when the water covered them as they slept. The gold seekers have had a terrible time, but they are brave and started out to en- dure hardships. As a class they rank far above the average manhood of the country. Skagua is being built up rapid ly. Lumber is in demand, and lots are selling as high as $500. Americans are
  which shall be entirely upon U. s. terri tory. Different parties are now out, and are carefully examining the mountains between Yakutat and Cooks Inlet, This is the third season of the work in Cooks Inlet. The excitement over the Klondike has drawn many away from there; never theless the output of gold this year will be no mean sum. The possibilities of the whole region bordering upon this in- let and upon Prince William Sound will draw crowds of adventurers in the near future."
 The secretary of the treasury who doesn't change or attempt to change the designs of the paper money issued by the government is regarded by the old-timers in the department as freak. It will be remembered that new and highly artis- tic series of designs for silver certificates was secured and put into use by the last administration. That these designs are the most beautiful ever used for the pur- pose is admitted, but goodly percentage of the banks of the country have entered protest against continuing their use be- came of the difficulty, after the notes have circulated awhile in distinguishing the denominations at glance, and the case with which the value of the notes are raised and passed upon the ignorant. That is why Secretary Gage has decided to have another change in design. If Secretary Gage's idea is carried out, and 1t probably will be, the same design will be used upon all notes of the same value and it will be made simple and distinctive so as to become associated in the minds of the people with notes of that value, thus making it almost impossible to fool anybody with raised note. Secretary Gage's idea was discussed at the last meeting of the cabinet and was favored on the account of its simplicity. Bankers and all who handle money in large quantities will favor the idea because it will enable them to handle and assort notes with greater speed.
 Senator Platt was in Washington short time within forty-eight hours, and although he denied that his visit was for any such purpose, it is believed among the politicians that his principal object was to get President Mckinley to write personal letter expressing his desire for the election of Gen. Tracy to be mayor of New York. While there isn't the slight est doubt that President Nc Kinley wishes the success of Gen. Tracy, 1t is doubtful whether he will consider 1t either good policy or good politics to say so over his signature. He has dread of being charged with meddling with local affairs, even in his own state. He considers 1t perfectly proper for Secretary Bliss to be actively working for Gen. Tracy, because he is citizen of New York, and as such is a personally interested in It's city government.