The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-03-16
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent
Washington d. c., Mar. II 1900.

the Ohio society, from which he re-
turned today, was a pleasant break in
a protracted season of very hard work.
Mrs Mckinley accompanied him and
both expressed themselves as having
had a very enjoyal lie time. The con-
gratulations offered the President on
all sides on the able and timely speech
he made at the Ohio dinner were re-
ceived with his usual modesty. That
speech answers many of his critics.
Senator Forsaker's statement that
while we were bound by the Peace
Treaty with Spain, to maintain the
"open door" commercial in the Phil
ippines, we cannot give the Philippine
free trade with US, has caused the
question of our trade relations with
the Philippines, to be much discussed.
The attitude taken by the republi-
cans in passing the Porto Rico tariff
bill is that Congress has the right to
impose whatever duty it may see fit
upon the products Of any outlying
possession of the IT, S. While it is be-
lieved that the U. S. Supreme Court
will sustain that attitude, no man can
say with certainty in advance what
the decision of that court will be;
hence the discussion. One thing is
reasonably certain, and that is, that
if called upon to surrender the protec-
tive tariff or the Philippines, the re-
publican party would decide TO give
up the Philippines, because, as Sentor
Foraker said, TO give the Philippines
free trade would be to open our mar
kets to all the world through them.
All of the republican members of
the House have been requested to be
In their seats every day during the
present week, and the request has
greatly alarmed the democrats. The
reason for the request is simple enough
|
without betraying party secret to
the enemy.
The Senate will this week adopt the
conference report on the Finance Bill.
Secretary Hay will not discuss the
report that this government has
threatened Germany with a CONNER
cial war, if the Meat bill reported to
the Reichstag becomes law, but from
other sources it is learned that repre-
sentations by Ambassador White to
the German government, caused as
surances to be given that the features
objected to by this government, will
not be in the bill when it becomes a
law. No uneasiness is felt in Wash
ington. Germany has more to lose
that we have by tariff war, and will
not be Likely to invite one. It is be-
Elieved that the German Emperor is
merely playing.a little game Of home
politics in order to get support for
some of his pet schemes, including a
large appropriation for the increase of
his Navy. .
/ President McKinley's message to
Congress, recommending that the
money collected, under the Dngley
tariff law, on Porto Rican products,
!. some So, 100000, and that which will
be collected until the new law goes
into effect be used for the benefit of
Porto Rico, which is in such immedi-
ate need of money, was a surprise to
the democrats, but not to the republic
can leaders, who knew that it was to
follow the passage of the Porto Rico
!, tariff bill, being part OF the plan to
give the island the money it needs for
immdiate public expenditures. The
House deserves credit for the prompt
ness with which it met the Presidents
recommendation by passing bill
placing the money at his disposal.
The democrats, with few exceptions
opposed the bills, which was passed by
vote of 162 to I07 althoughacknowl-
edging it to be good one and to be
necessary. They explained their adj
verse votes by the-fimsy excuse that
they objected because the bill placed
the money at the President disposal,
instead of appropriating it for specific
purposes. The Senate will pass the
bill without any unnecessary delay
Then the rejuvenation of Porto Rico
will be assured, as the money, together
with the Is per cent duty which will
be imposed by the new tariff bill for
two years, will furnish ample revenues
4 for the time being. But the best
thing about the bill giving the Presi-
dent authority to use the money al
ready collected, j for the benefit Of Porto
Rico, is that it heads off the democra-
tic attempt to make political capital
lby claiming that the republicans were
disposed to be unjust to the Porto
4 Ricans.
n It is now practically certain that
the House Committee Oh Rules, will
report rule for the consideration Of
the Hepburn Nicaragua Canal Bill,
i and there is little doubt that the bill
l.