The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1901-01-04
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondents


Mckinley, the Hay-Pauncefote treatv
| was expedited after it reached the
Department of State, and by steam
Ter leaving New York tomorrow, an
official copy will go to the British
government. After delivering copy
OF the treaty to the British govern
ment, there is nothing further for this
government to do except to wait
reasonable time for the Eng
llsh to say what they intend doing.
1t took us from last February to act
on the treaty and we would have no
just right to complain if the British
government took as long, although
there is no expectation that it will.
The failure of the Senate to reach a
vote on the Ship subsidy bill before
the holiday recess, has not discouraged
any of the supporters Of that mea-
sure. No attempt whatever was made
to force vote on the bill, because it's
supporters are willing to have 1t
thoroughly discussed and to Join in
adopting any amendments which can
be shown to he beneficial to the object
sought-the increase of merchant ships
under the American flag. That the
bill will be passed both by the House
and Senate is reasonably certain, be-
cause it is strictly in line with one of
the fundamental principles or the re-
publican party-protection TO American
interests-and there is 4 republican
majority in both branches of Congress
Washington is full of the sort Of
rumors that are always heard after an
important argument before the U. S.
Supreme Court, and a man gullible
enough might believe that the Justices
of the Court had taken a whole lot of
newspaper men into their confidence
and told them just what the decision
of the court, which is not expected to
be handed down for weeks, will be in
the cases involving the Constitutional
status of Porto Rico and the Philip
pines. While no one knows what the
decision will be, the very able argu-
ment of Attorney General Griggs has
increased the number of those who be-
lieve that the decision will put the
same construction upon the Constitu-
tion that President McKinley's ad
ministration has done.
Chairman Burton said of the River
and Harbor bill, which is ready to be
reported to the House as soon as Con-
gress reassembles: at is not unusually
heavy. 1t carries $23, 100000 immedi-
ately available, and $37 100000 under
continuing contracts. 1t is certainly
not large in view of the great needs
and wealth of this country. Most Of
the money is to be spent at important
points in the country, where the ship
ping interests are goeat and the de-
mands urgent"
Washington wants to entertain the
G. A. r. again, and if the railroads do
not offer better terms than they have
vet done, to Denver, where next years
encampment had been booked to be
held, it will endeavor to get it when
the Executive Committee of the G. A.
r. meets in st Louis next month, to
settle the matter definitely.
Senator Lodge, who had charge of
the Hay-Pa -Pauncefote treaty which was
amended and. ratified by the Senate,
the day before the adjournment for
the Christmas recess, has made pub
lie statement concerning the treaty
as ratified, in which he said: "The
amendments were not dictated by hos
tility toward England, and still less
we're they in any way reflection up
on the Secretary of State. whose pat
riotism, purity of purpose, knowledge,
accomplishments, and high achieve
ments in dealing with our foreign re-
lations, especially in China, are fully
and cordially recognized by men of all
parties and all shades of opinion in the
Senate. The amendments we're made
by the Senate, solely because, in its
opinion, they were necessary for the
interests Of the U. S. The Senate is
part of the treaty making power, and
treaties sent to it for ratification are
not strictly treaties, but projects for
treaties. They are still inchoate. In
the exercise of its undoubted rights,
without the slightest reflection upon
anyone, and without the shadow of
hostility TO friendly nation, the Sen
ate, continuing the negotiation began
by Mr.. Hay, offers three new propo-
sitlons to England. They ask her to
omit the clause inviting other nations
to adhere, which does not touch her at
all. They ask her to conform TO our
desires by agreeing in unmistakable