The morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, December 13, 1889, Image 1
( THE MORNING NEWS. l < Established 1850. Incorporated 1888. > | J. H. ESTILL President. \ BOSTON’S BIG BANQUET, THE MERCHANT’S ASSOCIATION PLAYS THE HOBT. Ex-President Cleveland, Andrew Car negie, Henry Orady and Hon. W. L. Putnam the Special Quests of the Evening Ex-President Cleveland Speaks on Ballot Reform—Other Elo quent Tongues Loosed. Boston, Dec. 12.—Henry* W. Grady and the party of southern gentlemen who came here to attend the annual banquet of the Boston Merchants’ Association, were given an informal breakfast at the Hotel Ven dome this morning. There were present Pat Collins, L. Morse, Jerome Jones, E. B. Haskell, E. Atkinson, R. E. Robbins, Pres ident J. A. Lane of the association, the officers and board of directors, which in cludes the executive committee. The affair was a pleasant one, and gave Mr. Grady and Gov. Bullock an opportunity to tell what they think of the city they are in, which they did to the satisfaction of the natives. THE BANQUET AT NIGHT. Over 400 of the solid business men of Bos ton and New England crowded the spacious apartments of the hotel Ve.)domethis even ing on the occasion of the a inual banquet of the Boston Merchants’ Association. So great was the desire to see and hear the honored guests of the association that tick ets were all disposed of at a premium days ago, and scores of applicants were disap pointed. Prom sto 6 o’clock a reception was held in the hotel parlors, at which manv members of the association were intro duced to the special guests of the evening, ex-President Cleveland, Andrew Carnegie, Henry W. Grady, and Hon. W. L. Putnam of Maine. THE MARCH TO THE GROANING BOARD. At 6 o’clock the march was taken to the dining hall to music by the Germania or chestra. The hall was elaborately and ele gantly decorated with banners anil flowers. At a round table in the center sat Jonathan A. Lane, president of the association. At his right were ex-President Cleveland, H. W. Grady, W. L. Putnam, P. A. Collins, John Lowell, William E. Russell and Leopold Morse, while at his left were seated Gov. Oliver Ames, Andrew Carnegie, Gen. Clinton B. Fiske of New Jersey, Homer Rogers, president of the Boston board of aldermen; Francis Lvdne Stetson of New York and Collector Saltonskall, all guests of the association. OTHERS WHO WERE GUESTS. The guests at the other tables inoluded Edward Atkinson, Congressman Rauuey, Josiah Quincy, Alden Speare, president of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, Charles 8. Smith, president of the New York Chamber or Commerce, and Assistant United States T reasurer S. N. Aldrich. The following gentlemen, who are guests of Henry W. Grady in New England, were also guests of the association at the ban quet: Ex-Gov. Rufus B. Bullock, J. W. Rankin, Clarence Knowles, S. M. Inman, Dr. R. D. Spalding, CoL Evan P. Howell, Thomas D. Meador, J. R. Halliday, W. A. Hemphill and Judge George Hillyer, all of Georgia; John Inman of New York, president of the West Point Terminal railroad; Marian Verdery, Patrick Calhoun, and C. C. Nichols of the Atlanta Consti tutions THE SPEECH OF WELCOME. It was 8:15 o’clock before President Lane called the attention of the gathering. After reading a letter of regret from James Rus sell Lowell, he pro ceded in a brief speech to introduce Gov. Oliver Ames, who in a few words welcomed the guests of the occa sion. When he referred to the welcome ex tended to the distinguished guests from New York the assembly greeted him with loud applause. Gov. Ames then turned to ex- President Cleveland and said: If the wicked democrats speak as well of me when I retire from office as republicans now do of you, I shall be abundantly satisfied. This sentiment was also loudly cheered. Homer Rogers, president of the board of alderman, was then introduced and wel comed the guests in behalf of Mayor Hart, who is absent from the city. EX-PRESIDENT CLEVELAND INTRODUCED. President Lane then, in a very few woros, introduced ex-President Cleveland as one who, strong in his personality, would speak strong words to-night, which would be heard all over the land and across the sea, in behalf of pure politics and those reforms which are now sweeping all parties before them. Ex-President Cleveland was greeted with long continued applause, shouts and cheers, the entire assemblage rising and waving handkerchiefs and cheering again. Mr. Cleveland spoke in a strong, well-modulated voice, and was easily heard by all. His address was, in part, as follows: ADVOCATE BALLOT REFORM. The following is an extract from Mr. Cleveland’s address: Political selfishness cheapens in the minds of the people their apprehension of the character and functions of the government: it distorts every conception of the duty of good citizen ship and creates an atmosphere in which in iquitous purposes and de.lgns lose their odious features. It begins when a perverted judgment is won to the theory that political action may he used solely for private gain and advantage, and when a tender conscience is quieted by tae ingenious argument that such gain and advant age are identical with the public welfare. Tnis stage having been reached and self interest be ing now fully aroused, agencies are used and Practices permitted in the accomplishment of its purposes, which, seen in the pure light of disinterested batriotism, are viewed with fear and hatred. The independent thought and free po itical preference of those whom fate has made dependent upon daily toil for hard-earned bread, are strangled and destroyed ny intimidation and the fear of loss of employ ment. Vile, unsavory forms rise to the surface of our agitated political waters, and gleefully anticipate in the anxiety of selfish interest, fneir opportunity to fa.ten upon corrupted and debauched suffrage. . This train of thought leads us to consider the imminent danger which threatens us from the intimidation and corruption of our voters. TOO LATE TO TEMPORIZE. It is too late to temporize with these evils or to speak of them otherwise than in the plainest terms. We are spared the labor of proving Jheir existence, for all admit it. That they are terribly on the increase all must concede. Manifestly if the motives of all our citizens Were unse fish and patriotic, and if they sought ■n political action only their share of the ad vantage accruing from the advance of our country at all points toward her grand destiny, there would be no place or occasion for the Perversion of our suffrage. Thus the in auguration of the intimidation and corruption of our voters may be justly charged to selfish schemes seeking suc cess through political action. But these evils “?ve been neglected by honest men disgusted "ith all political endeavor; they have been tol 'Tated by respectable men who. In weakness of Patriotic sentiment, have regarded them as only phases of shrewd political management, and have tabu actually encouraged by the " , n ' ° r s which have been bestowed upon those uo boast of their use of such agencies in aid oi party supremacy. ALL TO BLAME. lany of us, therefore, may take to ourselves , ",are of the blame, when we find confronting on- P? r ‘l which threaten the existence of nsii rre f . inatitutions, the preservation of our trv °nnU ■ ,onor and the perpetuity of our coun n' _ r “e condition annexed to the founding of Pitermnent upun the suffrage of the people, the suffrage should be tree ana pure. We consented to abide by the honest preponder ance ofpolitical opinion, but we did not consent , aat a free vote, expressing the intelligent and thoughtful sentiment of the voter, should be balanced by a vote of intimidation aud fear, or by an unclean, corrupt vote disgracefully bought and treacherously sold. Let us look with a degree of pity and charity upon those who yield to fear aud intimidation m the exercise of their rights of suffrage. Though they ought not thus to yield, we cannot forget that as against their free ballot, they see in the scale, their 'continued employment, the comforts of their homes and the maintenance of their families. We need not stifle our scorn and contempt for the wretch who basely sells v ?'. e ’ an d who for a bribe betrays his trust or citizenship. And yet the thought will in trude itself, that he but follows in a low and Vl h & r isshion, the example of those who pro ceed upon the theory that political action may be turned to private gain. PITY OR HATE IN VAIN. But whether we pity or whether we hate, our betrayal la none the less complete; nor will either pity or hate restore our birthright. But know that when political selfishness is destroyed our dangers will disappear; and though the way to its stronghold may be long and weary, we will follow it—fightinz as we go. there will be no surrender, nor will there be desertions from our ranks. Selfishness and corruption have not yet achieved a lasting triumph, and their bold defiance will but hasten the day of their destruction. As we struggle on and confidently invite a direct conflict with these entrenched foes of our political safety, we have not failed to see another hope which has manifesto I Itsdf to ail the honest people of the land. It teaches them that though they may not immediately destroy at their source the evils whicli afflicts them, they may check their malign influence and guard themselves against their baneful results. It assures them that if political virtue and recti tude cannot at once be thoroughly restored to there public, the activity of baser elements may be discouraged. It inspires tnetn with vigilaut watchfulness, and a determination to prevent as far as possible their treacherous bet ratal by those who are false to their obligation of citizen ship, BALLOT REFORM. This hope, risen like the star in the east, has fixed the gaze of our patriotic fellow-country men; and everywhere—in our busy marts of trade and on our farms—in our cities and in our villages—in the dwellings of the rich aud in the homes of the poor—in our universities and in bur workshops—in our hanking houses aud in the ranks of inexorable toil—they greet with enthusiastic acclaim the advent of ballot reform. There are no leaders in this cause Those who seem to lead the movement are but swept to the front by the surginr force of patriotic sentiment. It rises far above partisanship and only the heedless, the sordid and the depraved refuse to join in the crusade. This reform is predicated upon the cool de liberation of political selfishness in its endeavor to prostitute our suffrage to the purposes of private gain. It is rightly supposed that cor ruption of the voter is entered upon with such business calculation that the corruptor will only pay a brib i when he has ocular proof that the suffrage he has bargained for is cast in his interest. So, too, it is reasonably expected that if the employe or laborer is at the time of cast ing his ballot removed from thimmediate con trol of his employer, the futility of fear and in timidation will 1,-ad to their abandonment. OBJECTIONS TO THE CHANOE. The change demanded by this reform in the formalties surrounding the exercise of the privilege of suffrage, has given rise to real or pretended solicitude for the rights of our voters; and the fear has been expressed that inabdity on the part of electors to conform to tne re auirements of the proposed change, might pro uce great inconvenience and in some cases result in disfranchisement. It has even been suggested th <t the inauguration of the new plan might encroach upon constitutional guar anties. It will not do to accuse of hostility to the re form all those who present these objections; but it is not amiss to inspect tbeir ra iks for enemies in disguise. Though the emergency which is upon us is full of danger, an i though we sadly need relief, all rig its should be scrupulously preserved. But there should be no shuffling, aud no frivolous objections should be tolerated. When a dwelling is in flames we use no set phrase of speech to warn its inmates, and no polite and courtly touch to effect their rescue. Experience has often demonstrated how quickly obstacles which seemed plausible, if not convincing, when urged against a meas ure of reform, are dissipated by the test of trial, and how readily anew order of things adjusts itself to successful u e. CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. I remember the inauguration of another re form; aud I have seen it grow and extend, until it has become firmly established in our lays and praet ce. It is to-day our greatest safe guard against the complete and disgraceful degradation of our public service. It had its enemies, and all of them are not yet silenced. Those openly and secretly unfriendly, said in the beginning that the scheme was im practicable and unnecessary; that it created an office-holding class; that it established burden some and delusive tests for entry in the public service which should be open to all; that it put in the plac3 of real merit and efficiency scholastic acquirements; that it limited the discretion of those charged with the selection of publie employes, and that it was unoonstitu tional. But its victory came—wrought by the force of enlightened public sentiment—and upon its trial every objection which had been urged against it was completely discredited. As it has been with civil service reform, so will it be with ballot reform, excer-.t that the coming victory will be more speedily achieved and will be more complete. MASSACHUSETTS LED. And as the grand old state of Massachusetts was foremost to adopt aud demonstrate the practicability and usefulness of civil service reform, so has she been first to adopt a thor ough scheme of ballot reform, and to prove in practice its value and tne invalidity of the ob jections made against it. We thank Massachu setts to-night for all that she has done for tnese reforms; and we of New York hope that our Empire State will soon be keeping step with her sister states in the enforcement of an effective and honest measure of ballot reform. In conclusion, let me say that good men have no cause for discouragement. Though there are dangers which threaten our welfare aud safety, the virtue and patriotism of the Ameri can people are not lost, and we shall flud them sufficient for us. If in too great confidence they slumber, they will not always sleep Let them but Vie aroused from lethargy and indiffer ence by the consciousness of peril, and they will burst the bonds of political selfishness, revive their political freedom and restore the purity of their suffrage. Thus will they discharge the sacred trust committed to their keeping; thus will they still proudly present to the worid proof of the value of free institutions; thus will they demonstrate the strength aud perpetuity of a government by the people; thus will they establish Ameri can patriotism throughout the length and breadth of our land; and thus will they preserve for themselves and for posterity their God-given inheritance of freedom and justice and peace and happiness. Mr. Cleveland’s address aroused great enthusiasm, and his points were greeted with cries of “Good,” and applause. MR. GRADY’S SPEECH. Henry W. Grady was then introduced. He said: Far to the south, Mr. President, separated from this section y a line—once defined in ir repressible difference, once traced in fratricidal blood, and now, thank God, but a vanishing shalow—lies the fairest and richest domain of this earth. It is the home of a brave and hos pitable people. There is centered all that can please or prosper human kind. A perfect cli mate above a fertile soil yields to the husband man every product of the temperate zone. There by night cotton whitens beneath the stars, and by day wheat locks the sunshine in its bearded sheaf. In the same field clover steals the fragance of the wind, and tobacco catches the quick aroma of the rains. There are mountains stored with exhaustless treasures, forests—vast and primeval: and rivers that, tumbling or loitering, run wanton to the sea. Of the three essential items of all industries—cotton, iron and wood—that region has easy control. 1 1 cotton, fixed monopoly in iron, proven supremacy—in timber, the re serve supply of the republic. AN AMAZING SYSTEM OF INDUSTRIES. From this assured and permanent advantage, against which artificial conditions cannot mucu innirer prevail, has grown an amazing system of industries, not maintained by human com trivance of tariff or capital, afar off lrom t.be fullest aud cheapest source of supply, but.rest ing in divine assurance, within wuobot field and mine and forest—not set amid costly farms, tlOgt wbiaii CWltilttlitivtt AM tlUYfi# tM SAVANNAH, GA„ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1889. in despair, but amid cheap and sunny lands, rich with agriculture, to which neither season nor soil has set a limit—this system of industries is mounting to a splendor that shall dazzle and illumine the world. That, sir, is the picture of my home—a land better and fairer than I have told you, and yet but a fit setting in its material excellence for the loyal and gentle quality of its citizenship Against that, sir, we have New England, recruiting the republic from its sturdy loins, shaking from its overcrowded hives new swarms of workers, and touching this land all over with its energy and its courage, SCANTILY POPULATED. And yet, while in the Eldorado of which I have told you but 15 per cent, of the lands are cultivated, its mines scarcely touched, and its population so scant that, were it set equi-dlstaut the sound of a human voice could not be heard from Virginia to Texas—while on the threshold Of nearly every house in New England stands a son, seeking with troubled eyes, loma new land in which to carry his modest patrimony, the strange fact remains that in 18 0 the south had fewer northern born citizens than she had in 1870; fewer in 1870 than in 1880. Why is this* Why is it, sir, though the sectional line bo now but a mist that a breath may dispel. Fewer men of the north have orossed it over to the south than when it was crimson with the best blood of the republic, or even when a slave holder stood guard every inch of its way. There can be but one answer. It is the very problem we are now to consider. The key that opens that problem will unlock to the world the fair est half of this republic, and free the halted feet of t lousands whose eyes are already kind ling with its beauty. WILL HEAL PAST ENMITIES. Better than this, it will open the hearts of brothers for thirty years estranged, and clasp in lasting comradeship a million hands now withheld in doubt. Nothing, sir, but this prob lem and the suspicions it breeds hinders a clear understanding and perfect union. Nothing else stands between us and such love at bound Georgia and Massachusetts at Valley Forge and Yorktown, chastened by the sacrifices of Ma nassas and Gettysburg, and illumined with the coming of better work and a nobler destiny than was ever wrought with swor i or sought at the cannon’s mouth. If this does not invito your patient hearing to night, hear one thing more. My people, your brothers in the south, brothers in blood, in destiny, in all that is best in our past and future, are so beset with|this problem that their very existence depends on its right solution. Nor are they wholly to blame for its presenco. MASSACHUSETTS SLAVES 111 I*B. Slave ships of the republic sailed from your ports; slaves worked in our fields. You will not defend the traffic, nor I the institution, but I do here declare that in its wise and humane admin istration in lifting the slave to hights of which he had not dreamed in his savage home and giving him a happiness he has not yet found in freedom, our fathers left their sons a saving and excellent heritage. In the storm of war this institution was lost. I thank God as heartily as you do that human slavery is gone forever from American soil, but the freeman remains, and with him a problem without precedent or parallel. Note its appalling conditions. Two ut terly dissimilar races on the same soil with equal political and civil rights, almost equal in num bers but terribly unequal in intelligence and responsibility, each pi dged against fusion, one for a century in servitude to the other and freed at last by a desolatiug war—an experiment sought by neither but approached by both with doubt—the,eare the conditions. Under these, adverse at every point, we are required to carry these two races in peace and honor to the end. FATE OF OTHER ALIEN RACES. Never, sir, has such a task been given to mortal stewardship; never before in this re public has the white race divided on the rights of an alien race. The redman was cut down as a weed, because he hindered the way of the American citizen. The yellow man was shut out of this republic liecause he is an alien and inferior. The redman was the owner of the land, the yellow man highly civilized and assimilable: but they hindered both sections, and are gone. But the black man, affecting but one section, is clothed with every privilege of government and pinned to the soil, and my people commanded to make good at any hazard, and at any cost, his full and equal heirship of American privileges and pros perity. It matters not that every other race lias been routed or excluded without rhyme or reason. Wherever whites and blacks have touched in any era or any clime there has been irreconcilable violence. It matters not that no two races, however similar, have lived any where at any time, on the same soil, with equal rights, in peace. A HARP TASK. In spite of these things we ore commanded to make good this change of American policy which has not, perhaps, changed American prejudice, to make certain here what has else where been impossible between whites and blacks, and to reverse, under the very worst conditions, the universal verdict of racial his tory, and driven, sir, to this superhuman task with an impatience that brooks no delay, a rigor that accepts no excuse, and a suspicion that discourages frankness and sincerity. We do not shrink from this trial, It is so interwoven with our industrial fabric that we cannot disentangle it if we would—so bound up in our honorable obli gation to the world that we would not, if we could. Can we solve it? God who gave it into our ha ids, he alone can know. But this the weakest and wisest of us do not know. We cannot solve it with less than your tolerant and patient sympathy. The resolute, clear-headed, broad-minded men of the south— meu whose genius made glorious every page of the first seventy years of American history wear this problem in their hearts and brains, by day and by night. They realize, as you cannot, what this problem means, what they owe to this kindly and dependent race and the measure of their debt to the world; and though their feet are hindered in its undergrowth, and they march cumbered with its burdens, they have lost neither the patience from which comes clearness nor the faith from which comes cour age. Such is the temper of my people. SOUTHERN COMMON SENSE. But what of the problem itself, Mr. president? We need not go one step further, unless you concede right here that the people I speak for are as honest, as sensible and as just as your people, seeking as earnestly as you would in their place to rightly solve the problem that touches them at every vital point. If you in sist that they are ruffians bliudly striving with bludgeon and shotgun to plunder and oppre s the race, then I shall sacrifice my self respect and tax your patience in vain. But admit that they are men of common sense and oornmon honesty; wisely modifying an environment they cannot wholly disregard—guiding and controlling as best they can the vicious and irresponsible of either race compensating error with frankness, and re trieving in patience what they lose in passion, and conscious all the time that wrong means ruin—admit this, aud we may reach au under standing to-night. HARRISON'S MESSAOE. The President of the United States, in his late message to congress, discussing the plea that the south should be left to solve this problem, asks: Are they at work upon it? What solution do they offer? When will the black man cast a free ballot? When will behave the civil rights that are his? I shail not here protest against the partisanship that for the first time in our history, in a time of peace has stamped with the great seal of our government a stigma on the people of a great and loyal section; though 1 gratefully remem b*r that the great dead soidier who held the helm of state for the eight stormiest years of reconstruction, never found need for such a step; and though there is no per sonal sacrifice I would not make to remove this cruel and unjust imputation upon my people from the archives of my country. But, sir, backed by a record on every page of which is progress, I venture to make an earnest and respectful answer to the questions that are asked. It is claimed that negro labor is defrauded of its just hire. I pre sent the tax books of Georgia, which show that the negro, twenty-five years ago a slave, has in Georgia $10,000,000 of assessed property, worth twice that much. For every Afro-American agitator stirring the strife in which alone he prospers, I can show you 1,000 negroes happy in their cabin homes, tilling their own land by day, and at night taking from the lips of tbeir children the helpful message their state sends them from the school house door. Although the blacks pay one thirtieth of the taxes, they get nearly one-half of the school fund. Go into our fields and see whites and blacks working side by side; on our buildings in the same squad; In our shops at the same forge. Often blacks crowd whites fr in work, or lower wages by their greater ueed or simpler habits, and yet they are permitted, because we want to bar them from no avenue in which tbeir leet are fitted to tread. They oould not, there be elected orators of white universities #• tlmr hats kte here, buUhej i<uuti9£ Uwtu * hundred useful trades that are closed against them here, lu the south there are negro law yers. teachers, editors, dentists, doctors, and preachers multiplying with the increasing ability of their race to support them. In the Til. ages and towns they have their military companies equipped from the armories of the state, aud their churches and societies built and supported largely by their neighbors. TESTIMONY OF IBM COURTS. What is the testimony of the courts? In penal legislation we have steadily reduced felonies to misdemeanors and have led the world in mitigating punishment for crime, that we might save, as far as possible, this dependent race from its own weakness. In our peuitenli ary record, (VI per oent. of the prosecutors are negroes, and in every court the negro criminal strikes a colored juror, that white men may judge his case. In the north one negro In every 185 is in jail—in the south only one in 416. In the north the percentage of negro prisoners is six times as great as that of the native whites— in the south only four times as great. If preju dice wrongs him in southern courts, the record shows it to be deeper in the northern courts. Now. Mr. President, can it be seriously main tained that we are terrorising a people from w lose willing hands comes every year #1,000,- 000,000 of farm crops? or have robbed a people who. in twenty-five years, from unrewarded slavery, have amassed in one state $J0,000,000 of property? or that we intend to oppress a peo ple we are arming every day? or drive, when we are educating them to the utmost limit of our ability? or outlaw them when wo work side by side with them? or re-enslave them under legal forms, when, forthmr benefit, we have imprudently narrowed the limit of felo nies and mitigated severity of law? Continuing, the speaker said: When will the black cast a free liallot? When Ignorance, anywhere, is not domiuaiml by Intel lect. Wueu the laborer, anywhere, casts his vote unhindered by his boss. When the vote of the poor, anywhere, is not influenced by the power of the rich. When the strong aud steadfast do not everywhere control the (suffrage of the weak and shiftless, then aud not till then will the ballot of the negro ha free. The white people of the south are banded, Mr. President, not in prejudice against the blacks, not in sectional estrangement, not in hope of political dominion—but in deep and abiding necessity. The negro vote can never control the south, and it would be well if parti sans at the north would understand this. If there is any human force that cannot be withstood it is the power of the banded intelli gence and responsibility of a free community. Against it numbers aud corruption canuot pre vail. It iB on this, sir, that we rely In the south; not the cowardly menace of mask or shotgun, but the peaceful majesty of intelligence and responsibility. You may pass force bills, but they will not avail. You may surrender your liberties to a federal election law, you may submit., in fear of a necessity that does not exist, that the very form of this government may be changed, but never, sir, will a single state of this union, north or south, be delivered again to the control of an ignorant and inferior race. Mr. Grady concluded as follows: What do we ask of you? First, patience; second, confidence; third, sympathy; fourth, give us your sons as hostages. When you plant your capital in millions, send your sons that they may know bow true are our hearts, and may help to swell the Anglo-Saxon current until it can carry without danger this black Infusion. Fifth, loyalty to the republic; for there Is sectional ism in loyalty as well as estrangement. This hour little needs a loyalty that is loyal to one section, and yet holds the other in enduring suspicion and estrangement. Give us the broad and perfect loyalty that loves and trusts Geor gia, alike with Massachusetts—that knows no south, no nort i, no east, no west, but endears with equal and patriotic love every foot of our. soil, every state of our union. CARNEGIE'S SPEECH. Andrew Carnegie was next introduced. Prior to entering upon discus#an of his topic be paid a high compliment to Mr. Cleveland as one whom history would de clare had tried to do his duty and possessed the respect of the satire country, regardless of party. He said Mr. Cleveland had demonstrated o.ie answer to a question of his own asking —what to do with ex-Presidents. He had shown that one good thing to do with them was to invite them to all the banquets, and in this connection the question occurred to him —Why not run them again. To this there was a storm of ap plause, with cries of "Good!” “That’s sol” and renewed cheering. Mr. Carnegie then proceeded to a brief exposition of the wonderful progress made by this country during the past thirty years in commerce, manufacturing and mining, declaring that in the last two industries she now leads the world, while her credit is first among the nations. Mr. Carnegie was followed by Hon. W. L. Putnam, late democratic candidate for governor of Maine, who spoke briefly upon "The merchant marine and fisheries,” LONDON’B GAS STRIKE. Confined to Stokers and Porters of the South London Company London, Dec. 12.—The first batch of strikers left the South Londou gas works at 2 o’clock this afternoon. A crowd which had gathered cheered the men as they marched out, and plenty of non-union men are available for the companies, and there is no interruption to work. This evening the gas companies, with the exception of the South London Company, conceded the demands of the coal porters pending arbitration of dispute between them by Sir Mark Wilks Covette, governor of the Bank of England, Sir John Lubbock and Lord Mayor Isaacs. The strike will therofore be con fined to the gas stokers and coal porters employed by the South London Company. Tuat company is engaging able-bodied paupers, of which there are thousands now In the poor houses of London, to take the places of the strikers. Pickets sent out by the strikers to-day stopped many of the.e meu, and persuaded seventy of them not to go to work. The gas companies, in view of the threat ened stoppage of their supplies of English coal through the boycott arising from the strike of their employes, have arranged with Hamburg dealers for supplies, that will be transported in ships with German crews and handled by German porters. The second shift of men employed In the gas works struck at 11 o’clock to-night. The company is engaging “blacklegs” in the provinces. It offd s a bonus of £2 for the first week, and £1 a week for each succeeding week during the strike, in addi tion to the regular wages. The pickets working for the strikers got hold of Dearly 200 men, brought up from Portsmouth by the company, and induced them to desist. The committee organizing the strike has appealed to the public for funds. AN AMICABLE ARRANGEMENT. London, Dec. 13, 3 a. m.—A conference was held at the Mansion house this afternoon between Sir Mark Wilks Collette, Sir John Lubbock and Lord Mayor Isaacs, acting as arbitrators, and the representatives of the gas companies and their employes. The conference re sulted in an amicable arrangement of the existiig troubles, end a general strike of the coal porters is thereby averted. The coal porters in the employ of the South Metropolitan Gas Company will not, how ever, return to work until the agreements entered into by some of the men to work for the company for a year, and for signing which the men were paid a bonus, are canceled. The sailors’ union, firemen’s union, gas stokers’ union, and coal porters’ union are acting in concert against the South Metropolitan company. The gas stokers issued a manifesto stating that the employment of soldiers to take their places would result in a social revo- SESSION OF THE SENATE. THE NEGRO QUESTION CUTTING A FIGURE. Senator Butler Advocates Federal Aid to Emigration—Petitions in Favor of a National Election Law Sent In from Louisiana—Senator Gibson Pro poses a Territory for the Negroes.; Washington, Dec. 12.—1n the Senate to-day petitions from various parishes of Louisiana in favor of a national election law were presented by beuators Ingalls, Sherman and Evarts. Among the bills Introduced and referred were the following: By Mr. Sherman—To revive the grade of lieutenant general of the army. By Mr. Butler —For the emigration of pet sons of color from the southern stites. The joint resolution of the Florida legis lature in favor of a national ship cunal aon ss the Florida peninsula, and of the improvement of the St. John’s river, was presented by Senator Call, read in full aud referred to the committee on commerce. A HOME FOR THE NEGROES. Mr. Gibson offered a resolution, which was referred to the committee on foreign relations, instructing that committee to in quire into the expediency and practicability of acquiring or setting apart territory for the occupation of negro or colored citizens of the United States; aud also to inquire how far, and in what manner, the govern ment of the United Stab's can and ought equitably to aid the freedmen of the United States, their families and dependants, to emigrate t hereto and to settle thereon, and to establish a system of common school education. A HOLIDAY RECESS. Mr. Ingalls offered a concurrent resolu tion (which went over without action) for a holiday recess of the two Houses from Thu.sday, Doc. 19, to Monday. Jan. fi. Under the resolutions offered by Senators Aldrich and Platt, the changes in the com mittee! prepared in caucus aud already pub lished were agreed to. After a brief executive session, the senate adjourned till Monday. butler’s bill. Fenntor Butler’s bill to provide for emi gration of persons of color from the south ern states of the United Elates, provides that the head of any family, or for himsoif, if not married, may make application to the nearest United State- commissioner, under oath, setting forth the fact that he desires to emigrate to u foreign country for permanent residence and citizenship, and that he is too poor to pay the cost of trans portation. The certificate of this statement shall be forwarded by the commissioner to the quartermaster general of the army, who shall thereupon furnish to said applicant the necessarv transportation by the cheap est route. For this purpose the bill aupro priates 15,000,0X1. Gorman’s world’s fair bill. Senator Gorman’s bill to hold the world’s fair in Washington in 1892, is the one pre pared by the Washington board of promo tion for this enterprise. It provides for the issuance of #15,000,000 in the District of Columbia bonds to meet the expense. SILOOTT’S STEAL. The Investigating Committee Makes Its Report. Washington, Dec. 12.—1n the House to day Mr. Adams of Illinois, chairman of the spooial committee to investigate the office of the sergeant-at-arms, made wbat he said was a partial report from tho committee. The report states tho deficiency at $70,708, and says there was found also a note from Mr. Leedom for SI,OOO, on which only $l5O had been paid. It further states that the sergeant-at-arms had been discount ing the salaries and notes of members of the House, and that, although it was claimed that this was done from private fundi, there was evidence that in some instances, at least, it had been taken from tho govern ment safe, and the profits retained by tho sergeant-ut-arms. It says the committee cannot too severely condemn the negligent manner in which the sergeant-at-arms con ducted his office, aud exonorates the paying toller and bookkeeper from blame. THE QUESTION OF LIABILITY. The report concluded with a statement that the committee did not tool authorized to go into the question of liability. At the i conclusion of a long deb te which followed, a resolution was adopted directing the com mittee to report as to the effect or result of any deficiem yin the cash of the sergeant at-arms office, and especially os to unpaid salaries to members, accompanying their report with a bill if necessary; also one ottered by Mr. Hemphill of Sout i Carolina, directing Sergeaut-ut-arms Holmes to ar range with the treasury department for the payment of the mileage of the memborsaud delegates. DRAWING THEIR MILEAGE. The members of tho House have got some Christmas money. They got their mileage, and before the resolution was engrossed ihe new sergoant-at-arins had the receipt* ali ready to be signed as soon as he got tho authority so that the members could get their mileage. The amounts they may draw vary according to the distance of their home* from Washington, but tho drafts will averago probably $250 or S3OO. MORE RIGID SCRUTINY. The developments in tho investigation are likely to have the effect of causing more rigid scrutiny to be given at the treasury to all disbursements for salaries. It has been tho custom of the audi or of the district for several months past to col lect the salaries of the district employes, turning iu a warrant to the treasury and receive the money in return. By this method the employes were enabled to receive their salaries in cash instead of chocks, as had heretofore been the practice. The em ployes nearly all preferred payment in cash. The treasury has now taken a stand against this method, and has written District Auditor Sharp a letter in which tne department announces that it will no longer countenance this method of payment. Damooratic Senator* in Caucus. Washington, Dec. 12.—The democrats senators met in caucus after the adjourn ment this afternoon to arrange the member ship from their side of the new committees proposed for this congress. A committee, headed by Mr. Beck, was authorized to make selections and report to a caucus to be held next Monday. The committee will hold a session Saturday. Repeal of the Tobacco Tax. Washington, Dec. 12.—1n the House to-day Mr. Brower of North Carolina in troduced a bill for the repeal of the tax on tobacco in ali its form*. It was referred to the committee on ways and means. Bond Purchase*. Washington, Dec. 12.—The bond offer ing* to-day aggregated $1,451,050. AU were accepted at 127 for the 4s, and 104% for the 4X*. Baum Confirmed. Washington, Dec, 12.—^The Senate to-dav confirmed the nomination of Green J3, itftiuii* to ba Gommimuaecot peuuuna. ohio'B ballot-box contract. Mr. Butterworth Asks for a Congree atonal Inquiry. Washington, Dse. 12.-In the Hou*e this morning, immediately upon the read ing of the journal, Mr. Butterworth of Ohio, rising to a question of privilege, offered a preamble and resolution reciting the facts in the case of the publication of what is known as the ballot-box contract, asking for the appointment of a com mittee of five to make a full ani thorough investigation, and re port without delay the evidence and flndiug l heroin to the House; the commit tee to ascertain and report by whom the contract was prepar<>d, and whether the signatures were forgeries or genuine; if forged, what person or persons directly or indirectly aided, abetted, assisted, or know ingly consented to the preparation and utterance of said forgery, anil for what purpose and mtent; whether any of the members of the House, whose names ap peared on the alleged contract, had, or have, either directly or indirectly, any un lawful, corrupt or improper connection with, or interest in, the ballot-boxes. The resolution further provides that the committee shall have authority to call for persons and jiapers, administer oaths, etc. Mr. Butterworth detailed tt>e circumstances of the publication In the Cincinnati Com mercial Gazette of the various phases of this matter. Mr. Breckinridge of Kentuoky, whose nnine was also appended to the alleged con tract, joined with Mr. Butterworth in ask ing for the committee. The resolution was adopted without di vision. GEORGIA'S OFFICES. CoL Buck Btill Looking After the Loaves and Piehee. Washington, Dec. 12. Col. Buck while here will talk with Secretary Wlndom about the collectorship at Savannah. Mr. Johnson was stirred up by Goodyear aud the other Brunswiekers to think that spoedy action might bo taken, Col. Buck does not antici pate It. He thinks Collector Wheaton will serve out his term. Col. Buck is indignant at ttio way Goodyear and other Brunswick ers have acted and talked about Deveaux. lie saj s lie explained his recommendation of Deveaux before the appointment was made, so that they all understood it. Then was the time to make their fight and not alter the appointment was made. Ho laughs at. their charges against him, and says he is serene in the o mscioutness that he did what he believed to he right, politically and in every other way. As predicted, CoL Buck has recommended Col. Locke for post master at Macon, aud Brimlierry at Alliany. He has also recommended Walter Akerman, sou of the former attorney general at Cbar lottevllle, Collins, whom he had previously recommended, courteously withdrawing in favor of one of Mrs. /ikermau’s six sons. All throe will be appointed. The Athens, Griffin and Baluhriuge cases will not be taken up for the present. maker hpain mad. Call’s Proposition to Buy Cuba Con sidered an Insult. Madrid, Deo. 12. —Papers here manifest a great deal of irritation at Honator Call’s proposal in regard to Cuba, and roundly denounce it This is a subject upon which Spain is very sensitive, and the more sug gestion of any change in the ownership of Cuba is apt to be regarded as au offense to tho national dignity. Tne proposition was that the Washington gov ernment should open negotiation* with Spain to secure her content to the establish ment of a Cuban republic, upon the pay ment of an indemnity to Spain, and the newspapers are indignant that any one should imagine that Hpain would listen to such a proposal. Too Kpoca says: “This is a mad Idea and it cannot be that any one In Washington takes it seriously. Even if a republic were established in Spain, she would not consent to the separation of Cuba. Spain is re solved at all hazards to maintain the integ rity of tho national territory, and political divisions do not exist there m.” REPUBLICANS WORSTED. Their Blender Majority In the House Again overcome. Washington, Dec. 12.—The democrat* worsted the republicans in the House to day as neatly as they did when they re turned Chaplain Milburn. It nettled the republicans almost as much, for it showed them that even when there was no senti ment on the side of tho democrat* they oould, with a very few republican votes, upset the republican plans. Mr. Dingier moved that bills and resolutions should bo received on Monday and asked an imme diate vote. Mr. Crisp insisted that tho matter should go first to the committee on rules. On a viva voce and on a division Speaker lteed insisted upon announcing that i he republicans hod a majority, but he could not dispute the testimony of tho tellers, whicli gave the democrats four majority. Tho lesson impressed itself deeply upon the House. CCT.HHAN’S RESIGNATION. He Withdraws It to Keep up the Quorum Number. Washington, Dec. 12.—At the request of the democratic leaders Representative Cothran of South Carolina has withdrawn his resignation for the present. If be had allovied his resignation to take effect, his successor could not have gotten here before February. Tnis would have kept the num ber necessary for a quorum down to 165 during January, when the fight over the rules is expected. Mr. Cotnran will take up his work as oounsel for tho Richmond ad Danville road at once, but will be in the House whenever he is i.eeded, and so will keep the quorum number at 166. MAY NOT BE CONFIRMED. Geu. Morgan and Dr. Dorobestar on the Ragged Kdge. Washington, Dec. 12.— Gen. Morgan and Dr. Dorchester have not as yet suc ceeded in getting a favorable report on tbeir nominations from the oommittee on Indian affairs. Chairman Dawes does all be can for them, but the western senators are op posing them strongly. So is the Roman Catholic mission bureau, which has furnished the senators with a printed protest against tbeir confirmation, on the ground that tney have shown bigotry by unjust discrimina tions against Roman Catholics. WAYS AND MBANK. The Committee Holds ita First Session and Organize*. Washington, Dec. 12.—The first session of the way* and means committee was held this morning, when an organization was effected. Tuesday* and Thursdays were selected as the regular days of meeting. The usual order in regard to the distribution of the President’* message was made, and the present tariff law was ordered printed in the shape of a bill to serve as the basis for the pntparaUea of tkaew tariff maajgre* < DAILY,|IO A X FAB. , < B OiNTS \00?Y. I I WEEKLY $126 A YEA& | DIXIE’S DEAD CHIEFTAIN THE CROWD THAT FILLED NEW ORLEANS DEPARTING. The City Offers a Site In Any of !th* Public Squares aa a Permanent Burial Place-1 he Plan# of Mrs. Da. via—The Governors Call on Her—Th* Press Monument Movement. New Orleans, Dec. la—The band* somely decorated apartment where Jeffers sou Davis lay in state is once more a council chamber. Ali tho desks are in place, there is no sign left to show the sacred purpose for which the room was employed, and the city legislature held a business meeting In the place to-night The vast crowd which filled the city during the obsequia* Is thinning out The military vizik tors have all departed, the Gate City Guards of Atlanta bring the last to leave. The governor* and editor* nave also turned their face* home, ward. The Tennessee party, headed by Editor J. W. Childress of Nashville, lan on a special car and had it switched off ag Beauvoir, Jefferaou Davis’ home by th* Gulf, w ere they are spending the night amidst historic associations. THE BURIAL MOUND. The mound of the army of northern Vir giuia, where ex-i’reaident Davis lie* is still covere I with a mass of floral offer ings and ha. been the mecca of a multitude of people all day. Mrs. Davis lias somewhat recovered from her nervous prostration and reoeived several parties of c illers. The visiting governor* called in a b dy, in charge of Gov. Nioh 'U*l The plans of Mrs. Davis have been some what changed by the llln-ai of J. Addivon Have*, Mr. Davis’ son-in-law. The latte* nnu his wife will leave in a few day* for their homo at Colorado Springs, while Mr*. Davis will go t> Be.uvnir to rest m short time and put tbmgs to rights, and then follow the Hayes’ to their western home. The vault where ex-President Davis i* buried Is being guarded day and night by a detail of police, and the vigils will be kept up for at least a month. AN OFFER OF A SITE. The oily ooudeii to-night unanimously adopted a resolution authorising the mayoF to tender the Davis family a site in any of the publio squares of the city for the per* manent interment of ex-Preddent Davis. Representatives of the southern press nos* in the city held a meeting this morning, and organized as a southern press monumental association, with Mr. Childress of Nasuvili* as president. The officers of the a violation were instructed to immediately corre|/ond with Goy. John B. Gordon, commandant! of the United Confederate Veteran*’ Asso ciation, tendering to him the services of tnis association in the furtherance of th* plan formulated by him to erect a monu ment to ex-President Davis, to which alt tne people of the south are asked to con trioute. All the newspapers in the south were invited to become members of the as* socialion, aud to co-operate in the move ment. CRESCENT CITY CONFfIDEBATES^ Gov. Gordon and Other Chief Magls* tratea Address Them. New Orleans, La.. Deo. 12.—A mas* meeting of confederate veterans was held last night and resolutions were adopted mourning the death of the great chief taiq and pledging themselves to provide a fund for the family of the deceased sod to raise a monument to his memory. Giv. John B. Gor ion of Georgia presided and addressed} the meeting as follows; “ To me, and duuhtJ less to you, tnis is one of tne saddest, ye* sweetest aud proudest occasions of a life* time; saddest because we have jusk borne to hii tomb our great chief lata), sweetest because we have laid him to res* after lifo’s fitful fever is over on a tied softer than wai ever made by bloom! 73 roses on pillow of down. We have buried him witli the blessings and honor, and ea-< toom and affectio nof a grateful pe pie. Let mo add that it was flttiu. that be should be laid to rest with the flag of the con federacy which be loved so well folded about him and buried with him, a ,and tiu* stirs and stripes of the republic for wboesl honor aud defense he spilt his blood waving over him. If he oould speak to us to-nigh* I am sure his injunction would be tore* maiu true to the memories of the past, and no less true to the duties of future and tho glory of our American republic. The grief over his death is ours, but nis tame will yet be claimed for his cuuutry.” Gov. Gordon then urged that a fund should be raised to build a monument to hi* memory and provision made for Mrs. Dari* and “The Daughter of the Confederacy,’* because it was a holy duty to our manhood and the highest privilege left us. Addresses were also made by Govs. Buck* ner of Kentucky, Lowry of Mississippi- Fowle of North Carolina. Eagle of Arkaa* sas, Fleming of Florida, aud Nichoil* of Louisians aud others. DAVIB AND GRANT. The ex-Confederate President’* Res fuaal to Criticise. Boston, Dec. 12L—When Gen. Grant wa* dying in the Mount McGregor cottage th* Boston Globe instructed its New Orlean* correspondent to interview Jefferson Davisy Mr. Davis was not seen personally, but few days later penned the following letter: Dear Bir—Your request on behalf of a Boston Journal for me to prepare a criticism on Gen, Grant’s military career cannot be complied witb for the following reasons: First, Gen. Grant Is dying; second, though he invaded our country with a ruthl -si band it was with an open band, and, aa far as I know, he abated much suffering and pillage and has, since tho war, I believe, shown no malignity to the con. federacy, either of the military or civil service. Therefore, instead of seeking to disturb th* quiet of hU closing hours, I would. If it were la my power, contribute to the peace of his mind and the comfort of his body. Jefferson Davis, MAY SELL HOME MARBLE. A Car Full of Guests on Their Way to the Dade County Mines. Washington, Dec. 12.—D. Herbert Ini galls of the Georgia Marble Company it here with a special car full of guests on their way to Dade county, Georgia, where their quarries are. Chairman Whitcomb of the Ma-sacbusetts s ate house commis sion, and Mr. Bingham, the architect, and J. G. Batterson, the contractor tor th* national lib. ary, are of the party. Largq orders for marble are expected to be given! A Strike at the Pratt Mines. Birmingham, Ala., Dec. 12, Several days ago the trainmen of the Pratt mice* railroad went out on a strike on a demand for higher wages being refused. To-day, ail the free miners, about 1,200 iu number, stopped work, demanding that the train, men's request be granted. They say the* will not run the risk of operating the minel with green bands, and propose to support the old hands in their strike. Things will remain as they are until General Manager Bonn return*