The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-03-02
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent
yNo n N MI GH 1000

President McKinley's willingness to
subordinate his personal opinion when
it doesn't agree with that of the COM
bined leaders Of the party in Congress,
is one of the reasons why he is more
popular with Congress than any other
President has ever been. A case in
point is the Porto Rican tariff bill,
which Chairman Payne, of The Ways
and Means committee, called up in
the House today and which will be
kept before the House until it is
passed. President Mckinley opinion
as stated in his annual message, was
that Porto Rico should have free trade
with us, but when the partyleaders in
Congress concluded that it was best
to put small duty-one-fourth of
what foreign countries pay,-on Porto
Rican products, he at once stated that
he would not attempt to place his per-
sonal opinion above that OF Congress,
but would sign any bill passed by Con-
gress. The principal object of the
duty is to raise money to be spent for
the betterment of Porto Rico.
The personnel of the conference
committee, which is now considering
the House financial bill, passed before
Christmas, and the Senate substitute
therefore passed last week, make it
certain that the differences between
the two measures will be settled in q
manner satisfactory to the sentiment
of the republican party, and in accord
ance with the policy of President Nc
Kinley. The republican members of
the Committee are Senators Aldrich
and Allison and Representatives Over
street and Brosius. The democratic
members are Senator Jones of Arkan-
sas, and Representative Cox of Ten
nessee
Secretary Hay has begun an investi-
CATION to ascertain whether the charge
of Charles E. Macrum, who practically
deserted his post as U. S. Consul at
Pretoria, because this government did
not take sides with the Beers, that his
official mail was opened by the British
Military Censor at Durham, was true.
The first that Secretary Hay, or any,
body in Washington heard of this
serious charge was when Mr.. Macrum
published statement, over his sigma
ture, giving his reasons for running
away from his post. If the charge be
true, an apology will, of course, be de-
manded from the British government.
The bill providing territorial form
OF government for Hawaii is now the
unfinished" business of the Senate,
and will remain such until passed. A
similar bill has been favorably report
ed to the House.
The joint resolution providing for
constitutional amendment, disqualify-
ing polygamists for election as Sena-
tors or Representatives, and prohibit
ing polygamy and polygamist associa-
tlons between the sexes, has been fav-
orably reported to the House by the
committee on Election of President
and Vice President. The report saws
the proposed amendment to the Con-
stitution is designed to remove all
doubtful construction of the law; that,
while the House decision in the
Roberts case established precedent,
it is not one of absolutely binding
force, and Constitutional enactment
is desired.
Secretary Root, in response to
Senate resolution, sent statement of
the receipts and expenditures in Cuba,
for the year. ending December 1899.
1t shows total receipts to have been
Sic, 6,346,0I5, and total expenditures
$14, ,0S5,S05, leaving balance in the
hands Of the Treasurer exceeding S2,-
100000.
True to the traditions of their party
destruction, but not construction
the democratic Senators in caucus had
nothing more substantial to offer each
other or the country, than continual
tion.of opposition to the republican
policy towards the new possessions of
the U. S. In other words, they object
to the republican policy, but have
nothing better to propose.
Senator Aldrich stated the inten-
tions of the republican leaders in both
branches of Congress, when he said
"We shall endeayor to finish up our
work so that we can get away about
the lst OF June. We ought certainly
to be able to adjourn before the repub-
lican National Convention meets on
the 10Th of that month";"