Newspaper Page Text
( ESTABLISHED 1S50. t
) .1. H. ESTILL, Editor and Fropbietor. t
SHERMAN S PARTY SHOUT
A WEAK ATTACK ON THE PRESI
DENT’.'; MESSAGE.
Voorhees Replies and Knocks the
Props from Under the Claims of the
Man from Ohio—The Absurdity of
the Protectionist Policy Again Held
Up to the Light.
Washington, Jan. -I. —The Senate to-day
took up the resolution for the distribution
of the President’s annual message and was
addressed by Senator Sherman.
Mi-. Sherman criticised the message loi
ns failure of all reference to foreign rela
tions, and to interesting questions on na
ti< nal affairs, and for po-tponing all things
celestial or terrestial until the surplus reve
nue be disposed of. It was an extraordinary
message. There was nothing new or strange
about the Treasury surplus. President Jef
ferson and President Jackson had met it in
their day, and the Republican administra
tions had on many occasions since the war
grappled with it, eithor by payment of the
jiublic debt or by a reduction of taxes.
RANDAI.L WAS THERE.
The Democratiojiarty has had control of
the House of Representatives for many
\ ears and bad not originated or proposed a
reduction of the taxes. The only Republi
ran Congress in ten years had, by an act of
March, 188o, largely reduced both internal
taxes and customs. Why had not the Presi
dent followed the custom of his predecessors
bv using the powers conferred on the Sec
retary of the Treasury and applying the
surplus to a reduction of the public debt?
If the President had regarded the surplusus
a danger why had he not brought his influ
ence to bear upon Congress to provide a re
duction of taxation, and why had not Con
gress applied the remedy!
SHERMAN'S OWN ANSWER.
The only answer was that the controlling
majority of the Democratic party would
not allow a bill to be reported unless it con
tained provisions w hich would greatly m
in ;e or destroy domestic production. If it
had been the desire to reduce taxes without
reducing American production, the task
was easy; but the Speaker of the House had
used his enormous power (with the hearty
support of the President! to prevent even
the reporting of such a bill. Even without
reduction of taxation, the surplus revenue
might have been applied for great
national objects, but, for the vetoes of the
President, for the failure of the Secretary of.
: the Treasury to exercise plain discretionary
powers conferred up >n him by law. and for
the failure of the Democratic House of
Representatives to make appropriations for
some of the highest national objects.
Among these Mr Sherman mentioned the
Rlair educational bill, the dependent pen
sion bill, the river and harbor bill and other
legislative projects. If appropriations had
been made for these purposes, and for coast
defenses, the present condition of the Treas
ury, which now so alarmed tha President,
would not have existed.
THE EXTRA SESSION.
He also asked why the President had not
oonvened Congress in special session last
summer, instead of now endeavoring to
drive Congress peil mell by an outcry to re
verse the policy of the country for thirty
years.
When the President and Secretary of the
Treasurv tried to alarm the country so as to
induce Congress to break down the great
industrial interests, he pointed th in to the
neglect of their public duties. They had
the power now, and power neglected was
often as great a crime as power usurped.
But an artificial ware could not bo made to
cover the faults and defects of the adminis
tration. Mr. Rherman then proceeded to
discuss the tariff question and gave figures
to show that as to more than one-third of
the present importations (by value) there
was absolute free trade. These were mainly
such productions as, by reason of clim .te,
could not be produced here. With that
kind of free trade he (Mr. Sherman)
"as in hearty sympathy. It was exactly
the opposite policy that was proposed by the
President, and by the school to which the
President belonged. If the object were to
reduce the surplus revenue, what better
mode, he asked, could be suggested than to
repeal one half of the duty on sugar and
thus directly relieve the people from $28,-
250,000 of taxes on an article in most gen
eral use, and now bearing a tax of 82 per
cent? No such suggestion had been made by
the President and Secretary of the Treasury.
Why not givo relief to the peoplo by a re-
I (! notion of the tax on sugar I Still, he
I would cripple the sugar cane, beet or
I sergbum industry, and would suggest giv
lingto the producers of domestic sugar a
I bounty equal to the reduction of the duty
I on the impeded article.
I EQUALITY Of BENEFITS.
I The principle of protection demanded
■equality of benefits and of burdens. The
Behjeet was protection to labor, not. to capital.
■No reason could be given why wool should
■he made free and woolen goods should
■be protected. If there must bo cheap wool
■there must lie cheap woolens; and if the
■ labor of the farmer in producing wool was
■;*t protected then thnt of the cloth-maker
■should not he protected. If there were low
■duties on iron ore there would have to be
Ijovv duties on iron and steel in all its forms,
i Ihe farmer performed as valuable labor as
■ the artisan. And vet the President had
■ selected that class of productions
■under the name of “raw materials,” for
■ destruction, and bad especially selected
■wool as an article not to bo protected.
■'x°ol was a completed article of the
■farmer, just as cloth was of the manufac
■turer, and as the coat was of a tailor. The
■"H sufficient answer to the President was
■that the duty encouraged the production of
■'■-eol, the manufacture of cloth and that <>f
■ut infinite variety of articles produced by
■'rnerican labor, competing with foreign
■abor. This diversity of production
■"ured to tho ‘benefit of all
■'lasses of jxtople alike and was
■he secret of the enormous growth, power
■nd wealth of tho republic.
■ ONLY ONE RULE.
■ I here was but one rule which had to be
■Pl'l'.ed to all •industries impartially, and
■hat was to give to all forms of American
which liuvu to compete with foreign
■d"r, that fair and reasonable advantage
■“d protection which would give the
producer a home market for
■° n " products.
■ I m quoted Mr Dudley, late Uonsnl (leu
at Liverpool, to the effort, tha' there is
I -ingle manufactured commodity that
heapor to-duv in the United .States
the protective system than il was in
under free trade: and Hint nine tenths
manufactured commodities used by
farmers tiiA-ludiug clothing, fur
etc.) areas cheap in l Ins country ns
are in England, and in
■‘ m ° instances cheaper. The Presi
■riif seemed to think that Ameri-
manufacturers wore public ene
■P"* hut he (Mr. HUennan) declared that
■' ''a:.e away a successful manufacturer by
■/iiMiigp of rlufjes was to legislate for a
■Jc'igner and against the American citizen,
'resident's Irentmem of fileqiustioii
II delusion and a snare. The question
■/’’ " n< ‘ fairely of wage-. Woitin it be
■ t in'sia* n policy that, would compel
■ deduction of wages to the general
of Europe? Cheat) labor ,n ,hi '
country meant degradation of American
politics.
Mr. Sherman was willing to cor
rect the irregularities of the tariff
and to reduce the surplus, not by
the vicious and undiscriminating process
of horizontal reduction, but by such
methods as would relieve the tax-payer
w ithout injuring the laborer, or tho great
productive interests of the country. He
preferred that policy which looked to the
interests of the American people, rather
than to those of foreign nations.
He preferred the policy of reducing
prices by home competition, rather t 1 an
by foreign competition; of cheapening
raw materials by increased production, by
improvement of the rivers and harbors, and
by railroad competition. Whatever might
be said of other nations, protection (o home
industries (as embodied in the tariff laws)
was best for this country, and ho for ono
proposed to maintain it even against tho
advice of the President.
MR. VOORHEES REPLIES.
Mr. Voorhees then addretse 1 ihe Senate
on the same subject. The subject of taxa
tion, he said, was as old as the government
itself; and yet it was as fresa and full of
interest to-day to the lab wing masses of
mankind as ever at any former period of
the world's history. Contraction of tho
volume of the currency nad always been a
policy marked by disaster and suffering,
and accursed b\ every friend of the general
welfare of the country. But when
that abominable policy was still further
aided ar.d executed by snatching, as it
were, the money of the people from their
very hr- ds at, the rate of £10,000,000 a
month witho it necessity, excuse or pallia
tion, , very honest mind had to revolt
against tun wanton robbery. It was a
crime against every home, every fireside
and every living man and woman in the
United .States. It was a crime—national
in its proportions, gigantic in its strength,
omnipresent in its visitation and brutal in
its rapacity.
CAMPAIGN MATERIAL.
And yet the day before tho recess, the
Senator from Colorado (Mr. Teller! had
sneered at the idea of the surplus being of
any consequence; and the Senator from
Ohio l Mr. Sherman) had also declared, not
by cable from Paris, but on the floor of tho
Senate, that it was fortunate for the coun
try that there was a surplus of £55,000.000
in the Treasury. It would be for that
Senator, if he should become the Republican
candidate for the Presidency next summer
to explain to the people why it was fortunate
that their money was gathered into the
Treasury in excess of all the uses, prescrip
tions and wants of the government instead
of remaining in the pockets of the people.
There was in the Republican press and
among Republican politicians a determined,
persistent and brazen campaign of men
dacity on this subject, and it would con
tinue in the councils and field-work of the
Republican party day by day, morning,
oon and night, until the frosts of next
November came to wither and blast alike
their falsehoods and their hopes.
CLEVELAND DEFENDED.
Ho denied that the President had departed
one jot or tittle from the declaration of the
last Democratic platform on the subject of
taxation. That declaration had been bold,
explicit and peremptory. It was made in a
few plain strong words, the meaning of
which it was impossible to perve- 1 or mis
underitand. Incidental protection to home
manufacturers bad always been the policy
of the Democratic party. It was recognized
in tho last Democratic national platform.
He rejoiced in every element of American
success. He was proud of the inventive
genius of tha country, and of its vast
establishments, where skilled labor
alxmnded. He looked with delight on the
cotton mills, coal mines, blast furnaces aud
rolling mills of the South, as well as on
those of New England, Pennsylvania and
many Western States. He would encourage
them in their gigantic career of develop
ment and usefulness, and he held that the
policy of the Democratic party had been
always ample for their prosperity and
progress.
BEST FOR THE MANUFACTURERS.
That was the only safe policy for the
American manufacturers themselves. If it
were once clearly understood that the man
ufacturers as a class demanded that they
be enriched by means of fraudulent taxes,
that they accept the guidance of t he lenders
of the Republican party and join in their
praise, then, indeed, perifc would environ
the manufacturing interests of the country
such as were never known before. If the
Democratic party, with its record
of more than ' fifty years in tho
administration of the government, anil
its frank and constant declaration of prin
ciples was to be charged with the folly of
free trade every time an attempt was made
to modify the tariff, the people would very
soon and very clearly find out that such
assault- were only made to divert public
attention from evil designs and evil
schemes of plunder of which they were the
victims. He could not believe, however,
that the sagacious aud patriotic business
men of the country who controlled the
manufacturing industries would permit
themselves, for political purposes, to be put
in an attitude of unjust, selfish, overween
ing avarice, and of unfairness toward the
great mass of their countrymen.
TRUE TO DEMOCRATIC TEACHINGS.
Proceeding to discuss the message of the
President, ho said that it was a pleasure to
hiiu to declare that this,remarkable State
paper was true to the principles and teach
jugs of the Democratic party from its
foundation by Jefferson eighty seven years
ago to the present day; and that the thanks
of the laboring and business classes of the
country were due to the Executive toff
seizing on that vital issue with the
grasp of a strong, honest man, and
for presenting it to Ins countrymen
in such shape and light that it never would
disappear until the wrongs therein presented
were exposed and redressed, and until the
outrages,ol over-taxation ceased. In the
present age of swollen pr. tenses, of shallow
aristocracy and of gilded vulgarity, the
splendid utterances of the President’s mess
age fell on the minds of the jieople as a
promise of relief from and redemption from
one who had never broken a pledge or for
gotten a public duty. Tho President had
declared for the lowly and oppressed.
THE BUST SINCE JEFFERSON.
Since the matchless and immortal in
augural of Jefferson on March 4, 1801, no
communication had ever emanated from a
Chief Magistrate of this government more
able, more elevated in statesmanship, more
Immune and lienevoleut in its purpose, or
more conducive to the general welfare and
good government than the message under
consideration.
OBJECTIONS TO INTERNAL TAXATION.
('oming down to the practical question
of taxation he was aware, he said, t nat
there were many objections to internal
taxes, baton grounds far different from a
desire to ]>erpetuate enormous and unjust
tariff taxes . n the necessaries of life. He
appreciated the fact that for mauy years aud
especially iu several States, the whole
system had been used ns a powerful instru
ment of partisan political warfare, and had
l>een rendered odious to every free-minded
citizen. He was also often reminded that,
it was a war tax, ami it should pass a wav
in time of peace. All these opin.ons had
their weight with him. But while the
heavy taxes which huve been laid by the
nir tariff on every article entering
SAVANNAH, GA., THURSDAY, JANUARY 5. 1888.
into t! e wants and necessities
of : ■' people were not reduced
at: I, he submitted that the work of reform
am reduction should be pursued in that
fif’d and me internal revenue system left to
st; nd yet awhile, subject to certain modifi
er, tions as to tobacco.
HOW A CUT MIGHT BE MADE,
lie suggested that the tax on cigars and
snu f, producing $12,500,0tX), might be ro
ta mod, and the rest of the tax, producing
$ 1 7,000,000, be abolished. But this, how
ever, was a feature of detail and perhaps
a feature of compromise. The great
bulk of abatement in the present
total unnecessary taxation of the people
would have to take place in careful and pru
dent revision of the tariff, and we would
have to leave to the future what might seem
the best means and arrangements by which
to attain that end, Asa choice, bet ween re
ducing internal revenue or tariff taxes, he
would labor to cheapen woolens, linens, cot
ton fabrics, salt, lumber, coal, iron, steel,
and all other staple commodities, rather
than such articles as were indulged
in from acquired habits or luxurious
modes of living. After quoting some
sentences from the President’s message, Mr.
Voorhees asked whether it was from such
wise, conservative statements (guarding the
interests of American manufacturers on
one hand, while seeking to relieve the people
on the other) that charges of “free trade”
were made against the message.
PRE-DKTERMINKD TO QUARREL.
Did it not seem rather that tiiose who
cavilled with President Cleveland and de
nounced his views were such as had pre
determined to quarrel and those who would
not approve tho declaration of independence
if it came from his hands? Such political
leaders might have their uses, but in tho
present instance it requires no gift of
prophecy to foresee that as “blind leaders
of the bund” they and their followers would
roll in tho ditch of defeat together. A per
sistent and violent effort was being made
by those who managed aud led the opposi
tion to tho present administration to con
vince the public mind that the President
was unfriendly to labor interests and labor
organizations, and that the reduction of taxes
which he so powerfully recommended would
prove hurtful to workingmen, and especial
ly to wage laborers employed in manufac
turing industries. Ho (Mr. Voorhees) might
pause to ask the meaning of the present con
dition of wAgo works in many of the most
extensive manufacturing regions.
WHAT CAUSES STRIKES.
Why. under the present high tariff were
they engaged in constant strikes and severe
struggles with their employers He (Mr.
Voorhees) would go far to protect the Ameri
can laborer in every respect and to com
fort his daily life with generous laws. His
heart was full of appreciative sympathy
for the workingman and his household, as
they gathered around their troubled tiro
side, often in penury, sometimes in actual
want, aud never in eas - or affluence. But
he had never yet conceived it to lie a
remedy for his privation and anxieties to
increase tho tax on his blankets or bed
clothing, or on his salt and meagre table
ware. The President had expressed his
solicitude for the welfare of tho American
laborer, and had pointed out tho vigilant
care which his interest should receive in t h
treatment of the tariff'. After quoting a
sentence in this connection, he said he did
so iu order to present a complete refutation
in condensed form of the reckless and some
times malicious misrepresentations witli
which the President’s position had already
been assailed, and which would continue for
at least the next ten months.
WILL STAND A TEST.
In his judgment, however, the American
people would have but small difficulty, as
soon as the present improvised commotion
had subsided, in determining that the Presi
dent's premises, his arguments, and his Con
clusions, were alike impregnable and nlike
defied assault. Mr. \ oorhoes also quoted
from the Republican platform of iBBt,
wherein it pledged itself to “correct the
irregularities of the tariff and to reduce the
surplus,” and he said that that was a plain,
clear admission, mado three and a half
years ago, that the work of the
Tariff Commission had been poorly
done and called for correction,
and that pledge had never yet, by one word,
one vote, one step, or tho lifting of one
finger been attempted t > be carried out to
this day. On the contrary, tho Republican
leaders liad not only done nothing them
selves to remedy their own confessed wrong
doing, but had with tho whole weight of
their organization, hindered the efforts of
everybody else. If now, after the long
delay, the leaders of the Republican organi
zation in Congress and elsewhere, assumed
the attitude of tariff reformers, it xvould
only be under compulsion, of public opinion
invoked and aroused by the powerful state
ment and appeal of President Cleveland in
bis late message.
WHY THEY ARE NAD.
They were chiefly incensed against the
Presicfent because he had disturbed their
jioliey of inaction. Their anger was kin
dled because their dilatory tactics could
avail them no longer. As had been said of
the charge of the Light. Brigade at 1 alak
lava, “it is magnificent, but it 13 not
war;’’ so many thoughtful observers
of tho tremendous financial power and
endurance of the American people might
exclaim, “It is glorious, but it is not states
manship." It was glorious to the manhood
and resources of the republic, but in giving
orders, in shaping the policy by which the
Ameri'-an peoplo lied U-en so strained, taxed
utid bitterly tested, all the world knew that
a blunder, equivalent to a crime, had been
committed, and had been stubbornly per
sisted in. But the question still recurred
in its homely, practical way, as to the
disposal of the results of this blundering
policy. Ho (Mr. Voorhees) turned from
tho propositions for a larger army and
navy, and costly coast defenses, as a remedy
for the Treasury surplus to more natural,
necessary and practical methods for it* use.
LAUDABLE BUT INRU FFITtENT.
The generous pension roll, with all arrear
ages pai , liberal appropriations for the im
provement of rivers aud harbors, the con
struction of public buildings wherever
lie ded for public service, wore all laudable
objects and should be attained, but
they would fall far short of
restoring the immense surplus to
circulation and of affording the relief
needed. Asa further remedy, and indeed
as the greatest and most potent, the Ameri
can people would he best, pleased to see the
public debt diminished, and if authority
to purchase bonds not vet due was not to tie
found in the existing law, Congress should
promptly supply the defect. There was no
bondage so cruel as that of debt, and
when tho last government bond was
paid, and tha lasi vestige of the national
debt wiped out, there would be a jubilee
year beside whose glories all other jubilees
and centennial yeai s would grow pale and
insignificant. He hud faith in its coming
because the administration had at last bomi
placed upon sound principles and was being
carried out by honeet and able hands. The
American people would see to it that no
backward step should be taken for the
future.
At the dose of Mr. Voorhees’ speech, Mr.
Sherman moved that the message be re
ferred to the Finance Committee; hut action
oathat motion was withheld to give Mr.
Teller au opportunity to make some re
marks. Mr. i’oller spoke briefly jn reply
to Mr. Voorhees’ criticisms of his
(Teller’s) former statement!. The pend
iug motion to refer the President’s message
to the Finance Committee was not acted
upon. Tho Senate at 8:50 o’clock went mto
secret session. The nominations of Inter-
State Commerce Commissioners were re
ferredupou motion of Mr. Cullom to the now
Inter-State Commerce Comniittiv, of which
ho is ’cluiiriiiaii, and at 8:55 o’clock the doors
were opened aud the Senate adjourned.
CARLISLE’S TASK.
The Result of His Work Will be An
nouneed To-Day.
Washington, Jan. 4. —Speaker Carlisle
expected to announce the House committees
to-day, but owing to the necessity for con
sulting a few members whom ho proposed
to reassign toother committees than those
upon which he had originally placed them,
and to the fact that some of them are not
present at the capital to-day, ho was unable
to carry out his intention. He spent, tho
morning hours before the assemblin; of the
House to-day iu his private room at. work
on the committee lists, but ho was so bo. h
cred by members who had heard of his in
tention to change their assignment that ho
was unable to make any appreciable head
way in adding the finishing touches to his
work. It is the present, expectation, how
ever, that the list will be finished to-night
and announced to the House to-morrow.
NO CHANGES IN THE CHAIRMANSHIPS.
The importunity of members will effect
no changes in the important chairman
ships. They will be tilled as announced in
t hese dispatches. Two of them, that ou
Education and that on Pacific Railroads,
gave the Speaker most of his trouble to-day
because he had put Mr. Candler,
of Georgia, who is opposed
to the Blair educational
bill, at the head of the first, and Mr.
Outhwaite, of OhiQ, who wants to put some
Pacific railroad legislation through, at the
head of the other. The New York delega
tion was especially disgruntled. The
Speaker said again and again; “I have done
tha best l could. I had to place 825 men. 1
could not give every man a chairmanship,
nor even the place he might most desire
lower down on the lists.” The fact is, of
course, that the Speaker had to consider
as welt the particular policy every commit
tee is expected to carry out.
MR. SCOTT'IS DECLINATION.
William L. Hcott, who was selected at the
last moment to fill the place on the Ways
and Means Committee, which >S. IS. Cox hail
at the last moment declined after once
promising that he would take it. He said
to-day that lie told the Speaker some weeks
ago in most emphatic language that, he did
not want a chairmanship or a. place on any
important committee, his health not |ier
mitting him to woik as he would like to.
“But,” he said, “if the Speaker cannot get
anybody else for this place ou the Ways
and Means Committee why that’s a different
matter, from which it is inferred that he
will remain on the Ways and Means Com
mittee.
Mr. Burrows, of Michigan, who was se
lected at the last moment to fill the place
which Mr. Ryan, of Kansas, had at the last
moment declined, will stay. He is very,
glad to get in.
LAID BEFORE THE SENATE.
Some of the Papers Which Were Pre
sented Yesterday.
Washington, Jan. 4.—Among the papers
presented to the Senate to-day were the
following:
A letter from Allen & Cos., publishers, of
Augusta, Me., urging the necessity of the
issue of fractional currency. Mr. Frye,
who presented it, stated as a fact astound
ing to him that this firm often received in
its business SI,OOO a day in postage stamps
in payment of fractions of a dollar.
By Mr. Hale—A petition against any
change in the fishery treaties an 1 in favor
of the rights of American fishermen under
existing treaties and legislation.
By Mr. Voorhees—A jietition in favor of
tho present tariff ou lumber.
By Mr. (iullom—Several petitions of the
Illinois State Grauge endorsing the inter
state commerce law, favoring government
ownership of telegraph linos, denouncing
gambling in “futures,” favoring restriction
of immigration as proposed in the Reagan
bill, opposing tho abolition of the whisky
and tobacco tax, and favoring the placing
of salt, lumber, sugar, etc., on the free list.
Among the bills introduced and referred
were the following:
By Mr. Cullom—Amendment to his postal
telegranh bill.
By Mr. Blair —To encourage the holding
of a national industrial exposition of arts,
mechanics and productions of the colored
race throughout the United States in At
lanta, On., in 1888and 1881*.
The hill appropriates $(500,000 to tie ex
pended under the direction of a Board of
Commissioners to be appointed by the
President.
By Mr. Vance—Appropriating SIO,OOO for
a monument to lieerected in North Carolina
to the memory of (fen. William Lee David
son, who was killed at Cowan’s Ford in the
revolutionary war.
By Mr. Sherman—Appropriating $200,-
000 to reimburse depositors for losses sus
tai ei by the failure of the Freedman’s
Havings and Trust Corn pan v, no part of the
money, however, to be paid to assignees of
depositors.
WAR TAXES.
Senator Brown Will Soon Make a
Speech on t e Subject.
Washington, Jail. 4.—ln the Senate to
day Mr. Brown offered a resolution declar
ing that the practice of the government
was correct for the first, three-quarters of a
century of its existence when it collected
the necessary revenues at ports 01 other
boundaries, by a tariff except in the case of
war or other great emergencies, when in
terna! or direct taxes were imposed, but
which were repealed as soon as tho emer
gency ceased. Also that the present internal
revenue laws were enacted as a war metis
ure, ami that it has now become the imper
ative duty of Congress to enact appropri
ate legislation for their repeal at the earliest
dav practicable. Hu asked that the resolu
tion be laid ou tbe table, and said t hat next
Monday he would submit 1 emnrks on it.
Recess Nominations.
Washington, Jan. 4. —The President has
sent to t. 1.0 (Senate the following recess
nominations:
Benton J. Hall, of lowa, to bo Commis
sioner of Patents.
To be Interstate Commerce Commission
ers—Thomas M. Cooley, of Michigan: Will
iam R. Morrison, of Illiuois; Augustus
Kchoonraaker, of New York: Aldaco F.
Walker, of Vermont, aud Walter L. Bragg,
of Alabama.
The President ha* nominated Eugene
Semple to be Governor of Washington ter
ritory : Daniel A. Carpenter, of Tennessee,
to be Pension Agent at Knoxville Tenn.,
and John T. J. Crawford, Receiver of
Public Moneys at Gainesville. Fla
Collins’ Bankruptcy Bill.
Washington, Jan. t -Representative
Collins desires to nonsuit, with Senator Hoar
liefore introducing the Lowell bankruptcy
bill again. As Senator Hoar has not yet,
returned. Mr. Collin* could not see him to
day, and st) deferred introducing the bill.
Home amendments will probably bo made iu
it before it is introduced again.
BILLS BY TilK Hi NDRF.PS
THE HOUSE DESK LOADED WITH
90J NEW MBIASURKS.
Every Conceivable Subject for Legis
lotion Dealt With Public Buildings
Asked for Every State in the Union
and Some Territories -A New Terri
tory Proposed.
Washington, Jan. 4.—ln the House to
day Mr. Mills, of Texas, stating that the
Speaker would not announce the commit
tees to-day, asked unanimous consent thnt
the members tie permitted to introduce bills
for reference. Consent was granted and
the Speaker proceeded to call the States in
alphabetical order.
Under , he call of t he States a groat many
hills and resolutions were introduced and
referred, among thorn the following:
By Air. Herbert, of Alabamn To regu
late tho jurisdiction of Circuit Court Com
missioners.
By Mr. Wheeler \ bill for the reduction
of :,u , V duties, providing for a uniform re
duction of 10 per cent, in the tariff collected
on nil goods m vessels built in the United
States; also, a bill dispensing with proof of
loyalty during the late war as a condition
of restoration or admission to the pension
rolls in the case of any person otherwise en
titled thereto; also a bill to aid the common
schools. (It is practically the same as the
Blair educational bill).
Also, to establish a court of appeals.
Also, to amend the civil service act..
Also, granting pensions to survivors of
Indian wars who have attained tho nge of
70 years.
Also, to establish signal stations on the
West Indian Islands.
Also, for temporary support of the com
mon schools.
Also, for the refunding of the cotton tax.
Also, to remove the tax from tobacco and
spirits made from fruits.
OKLAHOMA TERRITORY.
Rv Air. Springer, of Illinois—To provide
for the organization of tho Teritory of Ok
lahoma. The bill provides for the creation
of anew Territory out. of the public land
strip and all that part of Indian Territory
west of the five civilized tribes, covering an
area about ns large as the State
of Ohio. It, provides all the
machinery for the Territorial government
like the other Territories, but does not,
assume any jurisdiction over the Indian
tribes except in conformity lo treaty
stipulations. Seel ion 11 opens the public,
land strip to settlement for homesteads
onlv. and Hurt ions 5 and (5 provide for the
settlement of the (’heroke* outlet and < (kla
bonm lands by actual settlers, through a
commission tone appointed by the Presi
dent to negotiate wit li the Cherokee*,Creeks
and Seminole*, so far as such negotiations
may bo necessary. Section 7 contains strin
gent provisions to prevent fraudulent entries
and requires three years actual residence
before any patent shall issue to a settler.
All snlos, assignments, transfers or mort
gages of lands prior to the issue of (he
(intent are prohibited, and declared null
and void. Provision is made for the settle
ment of other Indian lands, but in all eases
said lands are to lie reserved for actual
settlors only, and at a price not to exceed
$1 25 per acre. Cattle leases are declared
void and contrary to public policy,
and it is made the duty of the President to
remove the lessees from said lands. All
grants heretofore made to railroads are for
feited, and power to create any public in
debtedness by voting bonds or siilwcribiug
for stock in railroad companies or other
corporations, by the Territorial Legisla
ture. or by townships, cities or counties, is
strictly prohibited.
DANGEROUS ALIENS.
By Mr. Adams, of Illinois—For the re
moval of dangerous aliens from the terri
tory of tbe United States.
By Mr. Townsend, of Illinois— A joint,
resolution to amend the constitution so as
to provide for tho election of Senators by
the votes of the people of (he Sl ates.
Also, to organize the Indian Territory
under the name of Oklahoma, and consoli
date certain tribes under Territorial gov
ernment and allot lands in severalty among
the Indians
Also, to establish anew department to he
known as the. Department of Industries
and Public Works. Tbe purpose of this
bill is to transfer from various other ex
isting departments, and consolidate in anew
department the more or less scientific
bureaus of agriculture, labor, weather, etc.
Also, a joint resolution providing for the
election of President and Vice President by
a majority of the votes of the people and
the nbolition of the Electoral College and
regulation of the method of counting t*-e
votes for President and Vice President by
both houses of Congress.
By Mr. Weaver, of lowa—For the estab
lishment of a postal telegraph.
Also, to provide for the issue of fractional
paper currency.
Also, to retire national bank notes, and
prevent fluctuations of the currency by sub
stituting treasury notes in lieu of bank
notes.
By Mr. Anderson, of Kansas—Creating a
postal telegraph of the United States.
Also the following preamble and resolu
tions:
Wreiieas, Enormous grants of public lands
were made to certain Pacific railroads by the
act of July 1. 1802. and July S, 1804, upon cer
tain conditions; and
Whereas, It now appears from the official
report of the Pacific Railroad Commission (hat
the conditions have not been complied with by
tbe several companies: therefore,
Remlivil, That! he Secretary of the Interior
lie requested to iufurrn the House at. an early
day what amount of land approximately is at
present withdrawn for each or snid companies,
what amount lias been certified or patented to
each, and what amount remains uncertified or
unpatented to cacti company.
/iViolt-c !, That (lie Committee on Public
Lands he directed to report to the House hv
lull, or ot u irwlso, for consideration at any time
whether, in view of the facts officially ascer
l,ained anil reported by the Pacific Railroad
('otnmisfion. anv more of *aid uncertified or ini
patented lands ought ill equity to bo transferred
by the United States to these debtors and delin
quant railroad companies.
By Mr. Rowland, of North Carolina—To
roped the tax on tobacco.
.Similar bills were introduced by Messrs
Johnston and Henderson, of North Carolina,
Bayne, of Pennsylvania, Houck, of Tennes
see, and others.
ANOTHER FLAG INCIDENT.
By Mr, RouteUe, of Maine—A resolution
calling on the Secretary of War for the fol
lowing information: Whether it is true
that flags, standards and trophies captured
from enemies of the United States have been
removed from the place where they wore
displayed, as required by law, and have
since been concealed from tho people, and
if so when, by what authority and
for what i essou; whether any
propositions have tieen at any time made by
persons iu authority, under tho United
States government for the surrender, or
delivery of any portion of said flags and
trophies to any official or person in any of
the .States lately involved In rebellion, and
if so by whose orders, by what authority,
and for what reason, such prop wtio.is to
surrender these sacred trophies of the valor
of the nation’s defenders were made;
whether it is true tiiat A isrrtiou of said flags
and trophies was actually surrendered and
delivered to perxons haying no right to their
possession before th countermanding order
of the President was issued.
By Mr. Dibble, of South Carolina—
Placing .Into on the. free list.
Also, to reimburse depositors in the Frood
men’s Savings and Trust Company.
By Mr. Houck, of Tennessee To preserve
the purity of the elective franchise and to
punish bribery and other offenses against
free ballot,
Tho bill iiitnvluoed by Mr. Breckinridge,
of Kentucky, to modify the internal revenue
system is the same which was introduced by
him in the last, Congress relieving tobacco
planters from a tax on sales of leaf tobacco,
taxing stills making less than five bushels
of grain daily, only upon the actual pro
duction, and relieving them from the neces
sity of employing storekeepers and gaugers.
(Several other postal telegraph bills were
introduced, anti also bills to reduce letter
postage to le. on ounce: affecting national
i tanks; authorizing the issue of coin certiii
cates; amending the Pacific railroad acts;
affecting the fisheries; prohibit
mg ocean log rafts; concern
ing the warehousing of distilled
spirits; regulating immigration; pension
bills, woman suffrage amendments; for the
purchase by the Treasury of outstanding
bonds; for a national quarantine; repealing
the duties on sugar and molasses; for the
eleventh census; extending the eight hour
law to letter carriers; prohibiting convict
labor on public works; for a uniform sys
tem of bankruptcy; repealing the civil ser
vice law; amending tho civil service law;
for international arbitration tribunals; call
ing for information from about all of the
executive departments upon various topics;
changing the time for the convening of
Congress; authorizing the President, to veto
single items in appropriation bills; for an
iucomo tax. Nine hundred and two
public bills were introduced, covering
every conceivable subject of legislation.
Included in this number were bills
for public buildings in every State in the
Union and some of the Territories. Among
those in tho South are the following:
By Mr. Davidson, of at Tallaha
see; by Mr. Grimes, of Georgia, at Colum
bus, Ga.; by Mr. Catching*, of Mississippi,
at Vicksburg, Miss.; by Mr. Johnston, of
North Carolina, at Asheville. N. C.; by Mr.
Henderson, of North Carolina, at States
villa, N. <’.;by Mr. Bowden,of Virginia, at
Norfolk, Va.; by Mr Brown, of Virginia,
at, Fredericksburg, Va.; by Mr. Yost, of
Virginia, at Staunton, Va. The House then
adjourned.
CANADA’S FISHERIES.
The Probable Outcome of the Confer
ence at Washington.
Washington, Jan. 4. —It is believed that
when the fisheries negotiators resume their
conference oti Saturday the British repre
sentatives will formally announce that they
are willing to accept Secretary Bayard’s
suggestion that the questionsof the commer
cial rights of American ti lling vessels (n
< anadian waters and of the three-mile limit
be submitted to arbitration. Thon as a
matter of grace and not of right they will
concede us the righls we claim as to both
points pending the decision of the arbitra
tors, which might not be reached until
after tho next fishing season is
over. This would be satisfactory to the
American negotiators because they have no
doubt that any arbitrators that might be
selected would decide in their favor, and
they feel equally confident that, the Hen ate
would ratify any convention or treaty that
might be eouollldod providing for the sub
mission of the matter to arbitration. The
British Commissioners and the Canadian
officials who accompany them have learned
a great deal about the temper and purpose
of the i>eople of the United
States on this question that they
did not know before they cams. They un
derstand now that these two purely fish
questions must bo disposed of lie fore tho
question of commercial reciprocity can bo
considered, and that the surest way to a
favorable treaty of commercial reciprocity
is by a treaty respecting the fisheries which
will Us favorable to its claims.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
Mr. Anderson’s Propositions to Stiffen
Up the Law.
Washington, Jan. 4.—Mr. Anderson, of
lowa, introduced a bill to-day to amend the
interstate commerce act so as to include
within its scope all express, Pullman, sleep
ing or private cars; positively prohibiting
passes to other than employes on a road;
amending the long and short haul clause, so
that it shall not be construed as authorizing
a carrier to charge as much for a short
as for a long haul; forbidding the removal
of any suit for damages by a corporation
defendant from a State to the United States
Court; compelling the production of neces
sary evidence, and adjudging guilty of mis
demeanor any official who shall willfully do
or cause to be done anything prohibited in
the act.
Odell to be Defended.
Washington, Jan. 4.—The Secretary of
the Treasury hus requested the Attorney
General to instruct the District Attorney
for the Eastern district of Virginia to insti
tute criminal proceedings against persons
implicated in the recent attempted assassi
nation of Light Keeper M. L. Odell, of Cape
Henry station. Thedepartment is informed
that "this officer is being persecuted on
political grounds, and will use its power to
protect him in the performance of his
duties.
Marshal of the Supreme Court.
Washington, Jan. 4. —The United States
Supreme Court reassembled to-day for the
first time since the holiday recess. No de
cisions were rendered, but the Chief Justice
read an order appointing Johu Montgomery
Wright Marshal of tho court in place of
Mr. ftieolay. Mr. Wright was thereupon
sworn in and qualified.
MURDERED IN THE WOODS.
Negroes Kill an Itinerant Clock Mender
and Rob the Corpse.
Halkigh, N. C., Jan. 4.—The dead body
of an itinerant clock mender was fount! iu
the woods four miles from Cress well, in
Washington county, yesterday. Appear
ances indicate that he had been murdered.
His bead was horribly crushed and he had
been dead, apparently, four or five days.
Three negroes have been arrested on sus
picion and one of them has confessed to
seeing another kill him. A letter in tbo
dead man's pocket, showed his name to tie E.
Dawman. Robbery was the object of the
murder.
Russian Nihilists Condemned.
St. Fetirhburo, Jan. 4.—The secret tri
bunal ha* condemned to death Nihilist
Tschemoff and seven other prisoners charged
with an attempt on the Czar's life during
Ids journey to the Don Cossack country.
Twenty-Six Killed on the Rails.
London, Jan. 4. —Two express trains on
the Dutch State railroad collided mar Mrp
pol to-day. Twenty-six persons were killed
and many others injured.
Beck Renominated.
Louisville, Kv., Jan. 4.—The Demo
cratic legislative caucus at Frankfort to
day nominated (Senator Beck for re-election.
He had no opposition.
1 PRICE *lO A TEAR, t
( 5 CENTS A COPY I
RIOTING AT A BARRACKS
WHITE AND COLORED TROOPSR3
FAIL TO ASSIMILATE.
Ovor 300 Men on the Warpath -Two
of the White Troopers Expected to
Die trom Their Injuries—Peace Final
ly Restored by Detachments of Cav
alry.
Ht. Louis, Jan. 4. —A revolt occurred at
Jefferson Barracks yesterday evening be
tween white and colored United States
soldiers that, resulted in injury to many
men and probably will cost them their lives.
At tins time there are many recruits at this
station, and yesterday they drew their first
pay and made an onslaught on the sutler.
Numerous brawls resulted, and a crowd
from New York resented the familiarity of
the colored troops and a fight, followed The
guard house was filled with disorderlies and
still rows kept up. Late in the afternoon a
drunken colored trooper was seen pursuing
a 14-year-old white girl, and a party or
white troopers were soon after him. and in
due time handed him over to the officer Ot
tho day.
WHITES PUT TO FLIGHT.
This seemed to enrage a number of his
comrades and they fort,with left the har
racks, starting for Carondolet. On their
way they fell iu with a squad of white
troopers and proceeded to take vengeance.
The white soldiers made their escape with a
few bruises and made their way to the bar
racks, where they soon made up a party
to handle the colored men. Armed with
revolvers and carbines they started in good
order for Carondelet, but before they had
gone tar they- were ordered to return and
disarm by tbo officer of the day. They re
fused to return to their quarters, but laid
down their arms at once and then pro
ceeded after the enemy. At the Kiver des
Peres’ bridge they met the colored troopers
returning.
A LIVELY FIGHT.
An encounter inimediately~followd, atui
knives, clubs and rocks were used. The
fight was one of desperation and the white
men's superior force was offset by the dis
cipline of the colored troops, who had en -
to rod (heir second term of service. For half
an hour t,he battle waged without advantage
to either, and on the bridge and road and.
river bed men lay exhausted and beaten.
Finally the belligerents, bllrded and plaved
out, withdrew, l ine of the colored trooper*
reported the affray at Carondelet station,
and he was locked up while a patrol wagon
was hout. to the scone 1o gather up the in
jured. In tho meantime the white soldiers
had gathered in force, and, marching to
the station, demanded that the colored
trooper he given to them.
HEADY FOn AN ASSAULT.
The officer refused and prepared for an
assault. In the meantime word of the battle
hail reached the barracks, and four troops
of cavalry wm e nrderod out and arrived m
Carondelet in time to save the police freor
au attack. The mutineers dispersed <rad they
were arrested in detachments on a general
order t, > arrest all troopers. TXe barracks,
Carondelet and the int rvening country
assumed a military aspect, and all night the
soldiers’ tread and demand of “halt, rang
out. The disturbance was finally quelled
To slay there is peace, though bruises, black
eyes and gashes on a half hundred head s
still tell the tale of the struggle, while in
the hospital, at the point of death, lie
Troopers Livingstone, Peterson and Krurn
men, all white. At one time iu the after
noon over 300 men were looking for a row.
ERIN'S AGITATORS.
Masers. O’Brien and Sullivan to bo
Given a Reception on Their Release,
London, Jan. 4. — The Liberal Radical
Union has decidod to give a public reception
in London to Messrs O’Brien and Sullivan
after their release from Tullamore jail.
NO INQUXKY TO BE MADE.
Dublin, Jan. 4.—The Viceroy haa refused
to accede to tho demand of tnn municipal
authorities of Limerick that the govern
meut institute an inquiry into the condncti
of the police on the occasion of the demon
stration in that city in honor of the “Man
chester martyrs.”
A meetiug of tho Gaelic Athletic Associa
tion was held at Thurles to-day. The session
was a stormy one. The Clericals defeated
tho Fenian members on every vote, and tha
latter were so disgusted that they proposed
Mr. Ballour as Secretary of the association.
The session lasted eleven hours.
A HURRICANE OFF IRELAND.
A Portion of Fastlet Rock Tumbles
Into the Sea.
London, Jan. 4.— A violent hurricane la
raging in the Irish channel. Great damage
has been done to property and shipping.
The steamship Ohio, which had storinjr
weather after leaving Liverjiool, arrived at
Queenstown late this evening. She was tin
able to take on board the American
mails owing to the bad weatJtier
and will be obliged to postpone hVr
departure until tomorrow morning. Jk
portion of Fastlot Rock has tumbled into
the sea. The light-keepers are terrified,
fearing that the sea will undermine the
rock, it was impossible for boats to ap
proach. A large vossel has been wrecked
off Duncanuon and all hands are believed
to be lost.
Russia’s University Statutes.
Kt. Petersburg, Jan. ■(.—The Czar has
informed M. Delianoff, Minister of Publio
Instruction, that it is absolutely necessary
to modify the university statutes. The re.
forms will be effected gradually in order to
avoid the appearance of the government!
being influenced by the recent disorders.
Earthquakes in Mexico.
St. Louis, Jan. I.—A special from the
City of Mexico says au earthquake of three
seconds’ duration wus felt last night at 8
o’clock in Mexic ilani in Guerrero, and one
of two seconds this morning at 8 o'clock in
Tenancingo, in the same State.
Reappearance of a Newspaper.
Sofia, Jan. 1, —The newspaper La BuL
(jnrie, which the Zankoff Ministry sup
pressed in 1884, reappeared to-day It says
that iu spite of its suppression, its device,
“Bulgaria for Bulgarians,” has become a
reulity. _________________
Sunk With Twenty-five Lives.
London, Jan. 4.—An 1,800-ton bark, be
lieved to beau American vessel, has been
wrecked at the entrance of Waterford
(Irelandl harbor. Her crew, consisting of
twenty-five persons, wero all drowned.
Russian Editors Appeased.
Bt. Petersburg, -lan. 4. —The news
[tapers of this city publish a Russian trans
lation of the forged documents sent to tbs
Czar. The tone of the press toward Oer*
many has completely changed.
Floods In Spain.
Madrid, Jan. 4.—-Disastrous floods are re
ported in Seville. Six lives have been lost
and many persons have been iujured. The
damage by floods in Malaga is estimated at
S3XMNO.