Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1900-03-16
THE WASHINGTON LETTER.

(From Our Regular Correspondent)
WASHINGTON, d. c., MoH IL, 1860.
Republican Senators are showing
a disposition to get together on the
Porto Rican bill. While it cannot
yet be stated to certainty what
changes will be made, it seems like.
ly that the bill will be amended ~
as to provide for the free entry Of
all American goods in Porto Rico.
The action of the Senate Commit
tee on foreign relations in amendinr
the Nicaragua Canal treaty so as t.
reserve to the u. S. authority to de-
fend the Canal in any way it NAV
see fit in time of war seems to meet
with general approval There is no
reason to suppose that the amend
ment will be objected to by Eng
land. In fact, it cannot very well
be objected to since the amendment
is IN almost the exact language of q
clause in the treaty under which
the Suez Canal was constructed.
In view of its effect upon our rev.
enues, referring the reciprocity
treaty with France to the Senate
Finance Committee for consideration
and report before voting upon il.
seems sensible move. There IL
much guessing going on as TO when
the treaty will be voted upon, bnt
those who ought to know, believe
that it will be acted upon at the pre-
sent session.
Representative Hepburn, of Iowa,
has introduced short bill that
would, il enacted into law, put an
end to prize fighting in this country
1t provides that no picture or des-
cription of any prize fight or pugi-
listic encounter, or any proposal for
betting on a fight, shall be trans
mitted through the mail or by any
common carrier engaged i'm inter.
state commerce, whether in a news
paper or periodical. or in any other
form. Without publicity. prize
fighting could not be made TO paw.
and the money out of it is the only
reason for its existence.
Senator Lodge thinks the officer
commanding our army should have
higher rank than any other offic.
or, and has introduced joint reso-
lution giving to the senior Major
General, while commanding the
army, the rank, paw and emolu.
ments of Lieut.. General. Repres-
entative Moody, of Mass, offered
the resolution in the House.
Representative Brosius, of Pa,
who has earned reputation for
level headness. voiced the opinion
of many republicans when he said I:
" There is a difference between a
philosopher and statesman A
statesman must keep his feet on the
ground while philosopher may be
permitted to do more or less theor-
izing. Therefore 1 regret this tend
ency to yell out against the repub.
lican party at this time, particularly
on the part of some very prominent
republicans. 1 firmly believe that
the republican party is able to meet
successfully any problem that con-
fronts it, and we ought to he willing
to wait with patience for the solu-
tion of the great problems attend.
ing the possession of our new is
lands
Col. George Bohon, of KY, who i
credited with knowing the politics
of his state, said to a group OF
friends, in a Washington hotel
Unless the Goebel law is repealed.
Kentucky will go republican as sure
candidates for the office of Presi.
dent are nominated, and the state
will go republican so hard that II
will never get back into the demo-
cratic ranks"
The passage by the German Rel
chstag, of the bill aimed at Americ
an meat products, has not produced
a pleasant feeling in Washington
but neither in Congress nor in Ad
ministration circles is there any dis
position to publicly criticise tn
matter in its present stage. It i
easy to infer, however, from what i
said by those who are in position b
make good their words. that if Ger
many deliberately invites a com
mercial conflict with as. she will b
made TO deeply regret having don
so.