The Press., 1900-02-15
Washington Letter.
Washington, Feb. 12, 1900.

Washington, Feb. IL, 1900.
Judging from the amount Of talk by
senators, representatives and other off,
cials, about the Nicaragua canal treaty,
now before the senate committee on for
eign relations, the canal is the most i'm
portant subject now before the country.
Although 1t is not yet absolutely certain
that the treaty will be ratified without
material amendment, 1t is probable, not
withstanding the efforts of shrewd lobby
lists to fan the discomfort with which the
treaty was at first received, because of It's
providing spr the neutrality of the canal
and fSrbidding It's fortification. Second
thoughts have made friends for the treaty
among those who were at first disposed to
be Its enemies. The neutrality Of the
canal Is recognized by the conservative as
good move, not only in the interests of
peace between the q. s. and foreign ma
tions, but in the interests of American
commerce. Some Of the treaty's oppon-
ents concede that theoretically, but still
insist that the treaty is practically a
humiliation on the part of this govern
ment, and that public opinion would force
this government to violate the neutrality
clause by closing the canal to the war
ships of any nation we might be at war
with; that it recognizes the Clayton
Bulwer treaty, which American secre-
taries Of state have insisted was abrogat-
ed years ago, and that it Is entirely too
English. Everybody appears to be of the
opinion, excepting those who ale lobby
ing against it, that the treaty has made
certain the passing of a bill at this session
of congress, authorizing the government
to construct and operate the Nicaragua
canal.
The habit of senators of coming on the
floor late gave some of them quite shock
Saturday, when with only about dozen
In their seats, senator Allen offered res
olution declaring sympathy for the Beers
and expressing the belief that this gov
ernment should offer mediation, and ask
ing unanimous consent for Its immediate
1t declared adopted. Laughing heartily
at the discontinue of the senators who
began to rush into the chamber from the
cloak rooms, Senator Allen, at the re-
quest of Senator Fry, agreed that the
vote be reconsidered and the resolution
sent to the calendar.
Representative Campbell, of Mont.
who is one of the counsel against Senator
Clark, Of the same state, In the case now
being heard by the senate committee on
elections, violated one of the unwritten
laws of congress when he appeared in the
case, and has consequently been criticized
by the sticklers for the preservation OF
congressional etiquette. He Is said to be
the only member of either branch OF cong.
ress who has ever associated himself as
counsel with contest against member
of the other branch.
1t seems that Mr.. Roberts was right
when he said that men charged with po.
lygamy had been appointed to Federal
Offices In Utah. The house committee on
post-offices has ascertained that Mr..
Graham, postmaster at Provo, Utah
has been under indictment for some time
but that the prosecuting attorney did moi
consider conviction likely, and had moi
tried to have him brought into trial.
The Porto Rican bill will be taken uK
in the house next Thursday, and although
1t Is strongly opposed there Is no doub
that 1t will be promptly passed. 1t pro
vides for the imposition of duty equiva
lent to one-fourth of those imposed upor
other foreign products upon Porto Ricar
products, and that all moneys collected
for that duty, either in Porto Rico or tht
| U. s., shall be spent for the benefit of thu
island and its Inhabitants. The report IL
favor of the bill says it will save to tn,
planters of sugar and tobacco in Porto
Rico, about $4,000, 600 year, and tina
the quantity Of these products sold to III
will be insufficient to bring about any re
duction Of prices in the U. s. This argu
ment is combated in some quarters, ant
Senator Platt, of Conn. whose consti
tuents raise considerable tobacco, says b.
will offer an amendment in the senate t.
make the duty at least so per cent. Th
principal opposition to the bill, however
Is political, based upon the principle tina
1t Is unconstitutional that Porto Ric,
being now part of the U. S., is entitled
to free trade with all other parts of tn
U. 8. The question is an interesting one
and 1t is really regretable that it coul'
not be discussed and decided without tn
drawing of political lines, but that has al
ready been made impossible. The sup
porters Of the bill say that 1t is lntende'
for making precedent for putting dut
on the products of the Philippines; tina
free trade cannot be granted to ou
island possessions, without abandonin,
the protection system of the government
1t is already apparent that the question
Is going to figure extensively In thl
years national campaign.
Senator Nelson's report in favor of tn
| bill creating the department of commerc
is an interesting and compact history @
the growth Of the executive department