The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-12-28
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent.l

Vi IL. mas been Intentional. The u,
Constitution gives the Senate equal
power with the President in the max
ing of treaties. Therefore, when the
Senate in its wisdom saw fit to amend
the treaty with Great Britain that had
been negotiated by the Executive
branch of the government, it was only
exercisingi its constitutional right, and
it is ridiculous to say it hereby fur
nished any legitimate cause for objec-
tion, either on the part of President
Mckinley or of the government of
Great Britain, and it was an insult to
the intelligence and patriotism of Sc
cretary Hay, who was the Presidents
personal representative in the negotia-
tlon of the treaty, to circulate stories
of his havir g threatened te resign be-
cause the treaty was amended. Why,
the author of a bill passed by the
i House which is amended by the Sen
ate would have as much justification
for rcsigning. The large majority OF
the Senate. which adopted the Davis
amendment to the treaty, by which
this government reserves the right to
control and defend the Nicaragua
Canal in its own way spoke for itself,
and the other proposed amendments,
including the abrogation OF the Clay
ton-Bulwer treaty will doubtless get as
large vote in the Senate. President
Mckinley does not regard this as anv
reflection either Oh himself or Secre-
tary Hay, and when the amended
treaty is ratified, which it is hoped ii
| will be before the Christmas recess, he
will at once forward 1t to the British
government. Il the British Govern
ment rejects it, that will be its own af-
fair. Opinion differs as to whether
the rejection of the treaty by Great
Britain would delay the Nicaragua
Canal. Itmight delay the beginning
of that Canal, but 1t is very certain
that the delay would only be tempo
rary, as it would arouse public opinion
in this country to pitch that would
make the speedy completion of the
Nicaragua Canal certainty.
The House opened the third week of
the session by taking up and passing
the regular pension appropriation bill
which carries little more than $145
100000.
The House Ways and Means Com
mittee scored a triumph when the
Revenue Reduction bill was passed by
the House just as reported from the
committee, with the exception of one
| important amendment striking out
the clause which abolished one-sixth
and one-eighth beer barrels. Chair
man Paine has received many con-
gratulations.
The Senate is still considering the
Ship Subsidy bill. When the session
opened, It was expected that this mea.
sure would be passed before the Christ
mas recess. but now vote is not con
sidered likely until we'll along in Jan
uary. One reason for this is that some
Senators who are interested in trying
to get amendments for further reduc
tions in the Revenue Reduction bill
think they have more chance for sue
cess if the Ship subsidy bill is not pas
sed before. the other is taken up
There has been no attempt on the par
of the friends of the Ship Subsidy bill
to force vote, but. no other measure
can be voted upon the Senate before
it is, without their consent.
In nothing is the great prosperity 0
the country more strikingly showr
than in the growth of our expectation
of manufactured metals. From stats
tics already compiled at the Treasur,
| DEPARTMENT it Is certain that our ex
ports of manufactured metals will fol
the year ending Dec. 81, 1900, exceed
$500 600 600.
Representative Brosius, OF Pa. is ons
Of the numerous members of the hous'
who believe that the present numbe'
Of members, 357, should be increased
because that body is already SO large
that It is at times somewhat unwieldly
and also because the ball OF the Hous'
will not comfortably accommodate
laroer number. Mr.. Brosius has intro
1 dnced 3 resolution providing for
constitutional amendment permanent
liz fixing the membership Of the Hous'
i that number. The House commit
70 on the Census, is now considering
the reapportionment bill and hopes =
pet il reported before the holiday re
oesz, which viii Be from tl'e 2lst 'nz'