The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-01-08
WASHINGTON LETTER,
From our Regular Correspondent.

from our Regular correspondent.
Washington, January 3, 1898.
The United States Treasury starts into
1898 with more pleasing outlook than
it has had at the beginning of year for
some time. There was a surplus of
about 81. 80, 900 for the month of De-
cember, and It is reasonably certain
that with the exception Of the present
month, and possibly April, when heavy
quarterly payments on account of pen
sons have to be made, every month of
the present fiscal year will show sur
plus. 1t should not be forgotten that
the payments made on account of the
purchase of the Union Pacific Railroad
were not included to make that Deem
Der surplus. While this condition IS
gratifying to President Mckinley and
every republican. it is especially graft
fying to Chairman pingley, who pre-
dicted several months ago, when the
extra session of Congress was consider
ing his tariff bill. that the governments
financial condition would improve, just
as 1t has done under the operation of
that bill as law. On Saturday, Mr.
Dingley furnished the Press Associa-
lions with detailed statement of the
revenues under the Dingley law and Of
the revenue outlook.
Judge McComas, who was popular in
Washington when he was member of
the House, and who has increased IN
popularity since he occupied a seat
upon the bench Of the Supreme Court
of the District of Columbia, has forged
ahead IN the Senatorial race in Mary
land since Gov. Lowndes, who is also
very popular in Washington, withdrew
in his favor, and the impression is now
general that Judge McComas will be
elected to succeed Senator German. 1t
Is no reflection upon the other gentle
men who are candidates, active or pas
sive, to say that the election of Judge
McComas to the Senate would please
more republicans in Washington than
the election of any other man named
President Mckinley is thoroughly
alive to the meaning of the present at
tltude OF the great powers of Europe
towards China. He knows that they
are after commerce AS we'll as territory
The United States wants no territory as
far away as China, but it does want to
keep the valuable Chinese trade it al
ready has and to add to it, and, while
not intending to get mixed up in any
European deals or squabbles, it does
intend to take whatever steps that may
be necessary to protect American com
mercial interests in China. The United
States has treaty rights in China which
must DE recognized by any power that
acquires territory by any means in that
country, and with that end solely in
view, the President and his advisers
are watching every move made by the
In other words, we have nothing to do
with the relations of China and other
nations SO long as our treaty rights are
respected.
Notwithstanding the persistent eff orts
OF a portion of the democratic press to
prevent contributions, the Presidents
manly appeal for donations for the re-
lief Of the poor Cubans, who are suf
iering for the necessities of life by rea-
son of the conditions on the island and
not for any faults of their own, has
touched the charitable hearts Of the
country and substantial relief is pouring
into Cuba by every steamer. Arrange
ments have been made for Miss Clara
Barton, President of the American Red
Cross. to go to Cuba with staff of as
sistants to help the United States Con-
sular agents in distributing the aid am
ong the suffering. The President is
much gratitieI at the prompt response
of the country to his appeal for aid.
President Mckinley will not send
the nomination of Gov Griggs to be
Attorney General to the Senate until
| the nomination of Attorney General
| Mckenna to the Supreme Court. has
| been confirmed, but no delay is looked
| for IN the latter.
This year, for the first time since
| 1898, when the death of Mrs Harrison
caused its suspension, there was no
| New Years day reception at the White
| House. President Mckinley spent the
day in rest, going for drive with Mrs.
! Mckinley in the morning and receiv
ing several personal friends durin. the
afternoon and evening.
| The democrats and the assistant dem
| ocrats are trying hard to make it ap-
near that the financial position of Pres
| ident Mckinley, which is in strict ac
cord with the platform upon which he
/ was elected, furnishes a reason for the
! Senators who are popularity known as
'silver republicans" to break their
pleasant relations with him, but SO far
as can be learned it is labor wasted.
! Some of these would-be mischief max
ers may be surprised when Senator
Wolcott makes his promised speech,
explaining the trip of himself and col
! legues to Europe in behalf of interna-
| tional bImetalism. Just before the
! Senate took its holiday recess Mr..
! WolcOtt said that he hoped to be ready
! to make that statement about the mid
! die of January.