The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-03-23
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent

Porto Rican bill. While it cannot
yet be stated to a certainty what
changes will be made, it seems likely
that the bill will be amerded so as to
provide for the free entry of all Ameri-
can goods in Porto Rico.
The action of the Senate committee
on foreign relations in amending the
Nicaragua Canal treaty SO as to re-
serve to the U. S. authority to defend
the Canal in any way it may see fit in
time of war seems to meet with gener-
al approval. There is no reason to
suppose that the amendment will be
objected to by England. In fact, it
cannot very we'll be objected to since
the amendment is in almost the exact
language of a clause IN the treaty un-
der which the Suez Canal was con-
structed.
In view of its effect upon our rev.
enues, referring the reciprocity treaty
with France to the Senate Finance
committee for consideration and re-
port before voting upon it, seems
sensible move. There is much guess
ing going on as to when the treaty
will be voted upon, but those who
ought to know, believe that it will be
acted upon at the present session.
Representative Hepburn, of Iowa,
has introduced short bill that would,
if enacted into law, put an end to
prize fighting in this country II pro-
vides that no picture or description of
any prize fight or pugillstic encounter,
or any proposal for betting on fight,
shall be transmitted through The mail
or by any common carrier engaged in
interstate commerce. whether in a
newspaper or periodical, or in any
other form. Without publicity, prize
fighting could not be made to pay,
and the money made out of it is the
only reason for its existence.
Representative Brosius, of Pa, who
has earned reputation for leyel-head-
edness, voiced the opinions of many
republicans when he said: "There is
a difference between philosopher and
statesman. A statesman must keep
his feet on the ground while philos-
opher may be permitted to do more or
less theorizing. Therefore [ regret
this tendency to yell out against the
republican party at this time, particu-
larly on the part of some very prom
inent republicans. I firmly believe
that the republican party is able to
meet successfully any problem that
confronts it, and we ought to be will
ing to wait with patience for the solu-
tion of the great problems attending
the possession of our new islands,"
Col. George Bohon, of Ky, who is
credited with knowing the politics of
his state, said to group of friends, in
Washington hotel: "Unless the
Goebel law is repealed, Kentucky will
60 republican as sure as candidates
for the office Of president are nomin-
ated, and the state will go republican
so hard that it will never get back into
| the democratic ranks"
An object lesson on the credit of ma
tions was furnished by the action of
the British Government in offering
English Consols, bearing p per cent
interest, to American inyestors-the
first time such an offer was ever made
at 988 per cent OF their face value,
and by the Finance bill. devised by re-
publicans, which will this week be-
come law. This bill provides for re-
funding the entire bonded indebted
ness of the U. S. into 2 per cent bonds,
lower than any nation has ever hoated
bonds, and assurances have already
been received that the new bonds will
be gladly taken at par by the holders
of the old ones. That is the sort OF
craftsmanship the republicans give
this nation. They were not satisfied
that our credit should be as good as
that of any. other nation, but have
made it better than that of the best.
The passage by the German Reich
stag, of the bill aimed at American
meat products, has not produced a
pleasant feeling in Washington, but
neither in Congress nor in admins
tration circles is there any disposition
to publicly critlcise the matter in its
present stage. 1t is easy to infer
however, from what is said by those
fwho are in position to make good their
words, that if Germany deliberately
invites commercial conflict with us
she will be made to deeply regret hav-
ing done so.
| Representative Ray is to be chair
man Of the special committee of seven,
authorized by Representative Over
streets resolution to consider bills and
resolutions relating to trusts.
| The Senate declined to accept Sena-
tor Hoar's proposal to pension the ex-
| Oueen Of Hawaii.