The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-02-04
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent. !

WASHINGTON, ID. G.. Jan. so, 1898
President McKinley's Cuban policy
has not been changed one iota by the
democratic hubbub in the house, last
week. He stands now just where he
has stood from the beginning, and
when he makes move, it will be be-
cause of happenings in Cuba and not
because of bowling among democrats.
For weeks this government has been
ready to move at the proper time
when it shall in the eyes of the civil
lied world be justified in moving to
bring about peace in Cuba. It will
not delay because of lying Spanish
news from Cuba, any more than it will
bury because of democratic ranting.
The republicans in Congress are sup
porting this policy solidly and are like
ly to continue to do so, notwithstand-
ing democratic prophecy to the con-
trary.
The republicans OF the house are as
solidly behind the administration on
the Hawaiian question as upon the
Cuban question. This was shown
when Chairman Hit, of the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs, moved to
table resolution calling upon the
President for his authority for negoti-
atlng treaty for the annexation of
Hawaii in which it is agreed to paw
the Hawaiian public debt of $4,000
OOO out of the U. S. Treasury. The
democrats tried their best to prevent
the resolution being laid on the table,
but Mr.. Hits motion was supported
by the republicans and was carried.
There are no new developments in
connection with the consideration of
the annexation treaty by the Senate.
1t is Mr. Justice McKenna now, the
late Attorney Generals nomination to
the bench of the Supreme Court hav-
ing been confirmed by the Senate
without roll call. Gov. Grlggs of
New Jersey, who will, as soon as his
nomination is confirmed by the SEN
ate, assume the portfolio of Attorney
General in the Cabinet, has been ex-
tending his already large acquaintance
among public men during visit to
Washington consequently the Presi-
dent is receiving more praise than
ever for the selection of so able man
as Gov. Griggs to succeed Justice Nc
Kenna.
Representative Dalzell, of Pa, hit
the Southern democrats who are irving
to get bill appropriating $28S 900 to
cover alleged damages in consequence
of the war to the Book Publishing
Company of the Southern Methodist
Church substituted for the Senate bill
giving that Company the right to Of
fer its claims to the Court of Claims,
heavy blow when he recalled to their
memories thaton unanswerable report
had been made against these claims
twenty-five years ago, when they were
before the House, by subcommittee
composed of Secretary Wilson, of the
Department of Agriculture, republican
and Hon. w. R. Morrison, democrat,
both then members of the House. Mr..
Dalzell said the claim was at that time
thrown out as unworthy of the atten-
tion of patriotic representatives, sent
to Washington, not to loot, but to
guard the treasury.
There is some misapprehension even
in Congress, OF the nature of the old
Stanley Matthews resolution, express
ing the opinion that the government
has the option of paying its bonds in
silver, which was recently re-offered
by Senator Teller, and which is now
under consideration, and will this week
be readopted by the silver majority of
the Senate, and there is probably
much more throughout tie country.
1t Is now, just as it was twenty years
ago, when it was adopted by both
branches OF Congress, merely con-
current resolution, not requiring the
Presidents signature and not being
binding upon anybody, even when ad-
opted by both Senate and House. In
fact, such resolutions arc nothing more
than an expression of the opinions of
those who vote fer them. It will be
remembered that Mr.. Cleveland ignor-
ed one or Two resolutions of this ma
ture, declaring the opinion of Congress
as to what he should do on the Cuban
question. In this case the resolution
will not go far enough to need ignor-
ing, as, owing to its failure to be acted
upon by the House, it will never be
officially brought to the attention Of
President Mckinley.