Gilpin observer., 1901-11-28
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
4 4 WASHINGTON LETTER. i
Z From Our Regular Correspondent i
Washington, Nov. q, 1901.
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taSslSaSslsEs2z57E5al Observation-Disclosures
Washington, Nov. 81, 1901.
The proceedings of the national reci-
procity convention, which has just con-
cluded three days session here, have
conclusively shown the wide diversity OF
opinion on this subject throughout the
country, even among those who are es-
pecially friendly to the general principle.
The meeting was called as result of an
agitation begun in Detroit last summer
at the annual convention of the national
association of manufacturers and was
supposed to be for the purpose of induc-
ing congress to ratify the treaties sub
mitted to it at the last session, only to be
pigeonholed until the adjournment. In
opening the meeting, Mr.. L. G. Search,
president of the national association of
manufacturers, strongly advocated the
consideration of the whole subject from
national point Of view and not from
that of the selfish interests of individual
manufacturers, the duties on whose pro-
ducts might be reduced by the treaties.
He was applauded, but similar applause
greeted the very first paper read, which
was an attack on the purposes of the
convention and was directly in conflict
with the ideas set forth in Mr. Search's
address. The same state of affairs con-
tinued throughout the convention, the
general principle being endorsed to,a
greater or lesser extent by all the speak
ers, but commentator of specific appli-
cations thereof being for the most part,
scrupulously avoided. The action OF the
convention, therefore, seems unlikely to
exercise much weight on the settlement
of the subject; in fact, its proceedings
seem likely to lead to delay and MONACO
tion for time at least. rather than to
promoting the objects for which it was
ostensibly called together.
One of the first acts of congress on as
sembling will be to take action in regard
to the death of President Mckinley
Precedents will be closely followed, these
havi g been set on the previous occas-
ions when Presidents Lincoln and Gar
field were shot In 1881, after the death
of Garfield, the procedure of 1865, after
the death Of Lincoln, was followed with
out any change whatever. President
Arthur sent to congress message OF no.
tification, which was referred, by the
| house, to select committee of one from
each state, which was directed to join
with such other committee as the SEN
ate might see fit to select The latter
body added SIX members. 1t is some
what curious fact that it was William
Mckinley who made the motion for this
action and who acted as chairman of the
house portion Of the committee. After
meeting, the joint committee reported,
setting day for eulogies., Mr.. Blaine's
address on this occasion still stands as a
model of elagiac eloquence. Bills to
pension Mrs. Mckinley at 5000 year,
and to confer on her the privilege Of
franking mail matter, will also be intro
duced and speedily passed-as was done
in the two former cases. Ifa
While it is generally understood that
the Nicaraguan canal treaty, which has
| JuSb O6cU SlSuCo ny ocCtCtoty l1uy ouo
Lord Paunceforte, omits the clause pro-
hibiting US from fortifying the canal, it
is said to be extremely doubtful whether
we will care to exercise the tacit privilege
it confers. Owing to the configuration
of the land at the mouths of the canals,
Notifications, it is said, would only pro-
tect the ports themselves and would not
cover the interior, nor prevent an enemy
from landing a few miles away and blow
ing up the canal by means of sudden
dash. According to Admiral Dewey, THE
only way of protecting The waterway is
by the use of the naval forces of the
United States, which will keep an enemy
at long distance from it. AS conse-
quence of this opinion, which is general
here, the United States will be compelled
to keep warships in the vicinity of the
canal at both ends, whenever trouble
may threaten. These vessels will need
coal, and hence, the policy Of the gov
ernment henceforth will be to secure
stations where this may be stored. Ne
gotiations are already under way at
Admirante Bay. Chiriqui Lagoon, in
Columbia; at the Gulf of Dolce in Costa
Rica; and at the Galapagos Islands in
Ecuador. 1t is hoped that treaties for
the acquisition OF these can soon be sent
to congress.
The senate OF the fifty seventh con-.
gress, soon to assemble, will have no Pop.
ulists nor Silver Republicans ir it. From
present appearances the house will con.
tain only seven, three Of whom are from