Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-02-26
WASHINGTON LEI TER.


Hay are not more egotistlcal than
other men, but they would be more
than human if they did not enjoy the
rapidity with which the Nicaragua
canal treaty Is gaining supporters, as
it's foresight and wisdom is being
recognized. Last week, when the
treaty was first sent to the Senate,
there was an cutlery against it, be-
cause it provided for the neutrality
of the Canal and pledged this govern
ment not to fortify either end of it.
The lobbyists who, for one reason or
another are opposed to the construc-
ton of the Nicaragua Canal, saw
their opportunity and made the most
of it, and for several days it really
looked as though they would be able
to create a sentiment against the
treaty that might jeapordize its rati-
fication by the senate. With a few
honorable exceptions, the democratic
sena tors, who are wildly hunting for
campaign material, have been and
are acting as allies of the lobbyists,
although themselves claiming to favor
the construction Of the canal. 1t now
seems reasonably certain that the
treaty will be ratified with votes to
spare. In agreeing to make the ca
nal neutral, the treaty advertises the
fact that the United States aims to be
the greatest commercial nation in the
world, rather than a military bully
among the nations, and that adver-
tisement will add millions to our
foreign commerce. President Nc
Kinley and Secretary Hay. in nego-
tiating that treaty, recognized the
the fact that the United States has a
Navy, and will always have one,
strong enough to meet any enemies
it may have, that much more would
be gained by assuring the world of
the neutrality of the canal than could
possibly be gained by fortifying it and
reserving the right to close it against
the ships of any nation with which we
might be at war. In making the can
al neutral, it will be under the joint
protection of every maritime power
in the world-that protection will be
assured by formal treaty 1ater-and
it's safety from attack from any coun-
try with which we may be at war,
made certain. IF We reserved the
right to close the canal, we should
have to assert that right by force,
which would be more costly than bene
fetal, from any point of view.
Senator elect Bard, of California, is
not widely known in Congress, out
side of the California delegation, but |
Senator Perkins, whose Judgment is
relied upon by all who know him, says |
he has known Senator Bard for more
than quarter of a century, and that |!
his solid qualities will make him de- |
cided acquisition to the senate.
Judge j. T. Mcdonald. of Salt Lake |
City, now in Washington, said of the
effect in Utah of shutting Roberts out
Of the House: 81 think that in the flu
ture, no polygamist will be elected to
any Federal office, and [ doubt if any
polygamist will be elected to any Of
flee. The decision of the house was
an earnest showing of the sentiment
of the country and the conviction Of
the Government. [ do not think there
will be any more bucking against it."
Hon. Thomas B. Reed said a few
years ago that this was billion dollar
country. Today, it can be truthfully
said that this is a two billion dollar
1try oOt 20
merce of the United States exceeded
two billion dollars in value, and the
official treasury figures for the first
week in February 1900, show that, for
the first time in our history, the
amount of money in circulation in the
country exceeds two billion dollars.
1t will not be forgotten when the time
comes for the people to vote again, in
a national election, that it was a re-
publican administration and repub
ican Congress that first made it neces-
sary to use ten figures to show the
business condition of this, the most
prosperous country on earth. This
is two billion dollar country. I'm
press that colossal fact upon your
mind.
Mr.. Bryan came to Washington to
seek some consolation from his fol-
lowers in Congress for the frigid re-
ception given him by the democrats
Of New York city and New Jersey last
week. He allowed it to become known
that he is very distrustful Of Tamma
ny, fearing that under the guise of
friendship, the Croker men are pre-
pairing to attempt to betray him in
the National Convention.