The morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, May 08, 1890, Image 1

The morning news., May 08, 1890, Image 1

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Newspaper Page Text< the MORNING NEWS, i J ESTABLISHED ISSO. ISCOBPORATKD 1888. , ] J. H. ESTILL, President. f TARIFF TALK UNDER WAY ji'KINLSY AND MILLB OPBN THE DEBATE ON THE BILL. The Author of the Measure Starts Out With an Erroneous Statement Concerning the Wishes of the Peo ple as Proven by the Result of the Ijast Election. Washington, May 7.—The volumes of tariff speeches in the Congressional Record tor the first session of the last congress seems to have satiated the public. At all events the galleries were almost empty vb n Mr. McKinley opened the debate on his bill to-day with a three hours speech, compared with their crowded condition when Mr. Mills began tho debate on his bill inth9last congress. Perhaps another reason far the absence of the audience which Mr.- McKinley evidently expected is found in the popular belief that the proceedings in the McKinley bill are all cut and driod, the republican caucus having cut the sovei al debates down from the twenty-three days allowed under Speaker Carlisle to the four days allowed under Speaker Heed, and the little ring of republican managers having already announc and that they propose to rush the bill right through under the' party lash. Speaker Reed himself disdains to say any tbiug. He said it all, he thinks, so far as the general argument is concerned in the lost congress, and he apparently does not think it worth wnile to discuss the details cf the McKinley bill. Next to the absence of the people from the galleries was noted the absence of prominent strangers from the floor. Ben. Butler wandered in just as Mr. McKinley began, listened awhile, and wandered out again. IKON-CLAD RULES NOT PRESENTED. Rather to the surprise of those members who had prepared themselves for an attack on the caucus, because of the limited time which will 1 e allotted for general debate, Mr. McKinley refrained from present ing the iron-clad rules which were ex pected, so that the anticipated pre liminary wrangle was avoided. Although Mr. McKi iley was granted u limited time in which to present Lis argument, he had stated in advance that be would not occupy much more than an hour, and the indica te ns are that the speakers who follow will also reduce taeir speeches to a small com pass. TWENTY HOURS OF GENERAL DEBATE. Exc’usive of the promised night sessions, which the more notable speakers avoid whenever possible, there will be in all but twenty hours of general debate. Following established custom, thirteen mmbers of the ways and means committee must each be allowed an hour, or thirteen hours in the aggregate, so that but seven of the day light hours will remain for partition among the remaining 315 members of the House. DETAILS OF THE DEBATE. In the House to-day Mr. Powell of Illinois presented the report of the committee on elections in the Alabama contested election case of McDuffie vs. Turpin. The report, which favors the claims of the contestant, was ordered printed. Mr. McKinley moved to go Into com mittee of the whole for consideration of the tariff bill. In making this motion Mr. McKinley stated that he would endeavor to close the general debate Saturday evening. The committee on ways and means had in tended to ask tHe committee on rules to re port a resolution limiting the five minute debate to eight days, but had not done so on account of the alseuce of Mr. Carlisle. Mr. Mills of Texas thought the time allowed for general debate was entirely too limited. Two years ago the democrats had conceded twenty-throe days general debate. All he could do was to remonstrate against the short time which was to be allowed for the debate. Mr. McKinley’s motion was agreed to without division, and accordingly the II use went into committee of the whole with Mr. Payson in the chair, for con sideration of the tariff bill. On motion of Mr. Mills the committee granted to Mr. McKinley the privilege of speaking without limitation of time, and similar courtesy was accorded to Mr. Mills on motion of Mr. McKinley. Mr. McKinley then took the floor in sup port of the bill. In the last political cam paign the tariff had been the absorbing question before the people. It seemed to him that no extended discussion of this great principle was expected or required or necessary under the existing conditions, for if any one thing was settled by the political contest of 1888 it was that the protective policy as promulgated by the Republican party in its platform, as maintained by the Republican party through a long series of years, should be secured in any legislation which was to be had by the congress chosen in this great contest and on this mastering issue. He interpreted the victory, the ma jority in this House, and the incumbency of the presidency of the United States by the present chief executive to mean that revis ion of the tariff was demanded by the Poplo, and that that revision should be along the line and in full recognition of the principle and purposes of protection. [Applause.] The people had spoken and they asked this congress to register their "'ll! and embody their verdict into the public latv. The bill presented by the com mittee on ways and means to the House was a thorough answer to that demand. It was h: full recognition of the principle and pol icy of a protective tariff. ITS INTERNAL REVENUE CLAUSES. The bill had not abolished the internal revenue tnx as the Republican party had pledged itself to do in the event that that ah 'htion was necessary to preserve the pro tective system, because the committee had found that abolition of the one was not nec essary to t e preservation of the other. The bill recommended the abolition of all special taxes and the reduction of the tax on to bacco and snuff, and it removed tbejrestric tions upon growers of tobacco. With these exceptions the internal revenue law stood as at present. If these recommendations were agreed to internal taxation would be reduced a little over $ 10,000,000. BRANDS OF THE COUNTRIES. 1 he committee also recommended a pro vision requiring that all imported articles ‘ear a mark indicating the country in " lllc h such articles are manufactured. The reason that actuated the committee was that it had become too common among some of the countries of the world to copy some of our best known brands and sell them in c: inpetition with our own home made product. he next provision recommended was one extending and liberalizing the drawback section of the law. Under the existing tatue any citizens of the United States mi, Ira P°r ■ku article, pay the duty on it, "1 , fR iuto a complete product, export it government refunded 00 per cent, r the duty paid on the raw material. The nimittee recommended that hereafter the ’ er bment should retain only 1 per cent, itsteud of lo per cent. This gave to the P opie of the United States practically raw material for export trade. A CHANCE FOR MANUFACTURERS. committee said to the capitalists of y°u think you can go into iweign markets with free' raw material, Übe J&ofnino we give you within 1 per cent of free raw material and you try and see what you can i [Laughter.] This provision com pletely disp sed of what sometimes seemed an aim st unanswerable argument, urged by the gentlemen on the other side that if the manufacturers only had free raw material they could compete in the markets of the world. Mr. Springer inquired whether this pro vision applied to wool. Mr. McKinley replied that it applied to everything. It was asserted by the minor ity tnat the bill would not reduce the revenues of the government, but that ou the coutrary it would increase the reve nues. This statement was misleading. It could only be valuable on the assumption that the importations of the present year under this bill would be equal to the im portation of like articles under the existing law. Ihe instant duties were increased to a tair protective point, that instant importa tion diminished and the revenues corre spondingly diminished. No one could dis pute that proposition. If the bill should become a law the revenues of the govern ment would be diminished from $50,000,000 to $60,000,000. He then entered into a de tailed explanation of the sections of the bill. At tho conclusion of Mr. McKinley’s speech he was warmly congratulated per sonally by almost every republican member present, while the cry of “vote,” “vote” was heard all over the western side of the hall. MILLS POINTS OUT ITS FALLACIES. Mr. Mills of Texas followed. He declared that this was the first bill that had come before the American people with its mask torn off like bighwavmea demand ing their purses. [Applause.] To check importation was to check ex portation. Split hairs as yon may, no man could show that we might sell without buying. When we refused to take the products of other nations, that refusal was an interdiction against our exports, and ns we removed tho barriers to free ex change we increased our trade. Protection boiled down meant work and less result, and carried out to its conclusion it meant all work and no result. Pig iron was the base of all our iron and steel manufactures. In 1871 prices were rising after a period of depression, and the imports of pig iron were increasing. FIGURES TO SUPPORT HIM. From 3,500,000 tons in 1870 the imports of pig iron rose to 7,000,000 tons in 1873. If the republican doctrine was true then every ton imported displaced a ton of American iron. But the figures showed that our domestic product rose from 52,000,000 tons in 1870 to 119,000,000 tons in 1872. That showed conclusively that the democratic position was right that increased imports increased the demand for American labor. Following out the figures, it was seen that from 1880 to 1885, when the imports of pig iron dropped off domestic production fell off more rapidly. Those figures presented an argument absolutely overwhelming—horse, foot and dragon—all this talk of importa tions interfering with domestic employ ment. Ii this policy was pursued the smoke-stacks of Pennsylvania would have to be utilized to study the laws of the heavens. If manufacturers only opened their eyes and studied the laws of trade they might avoid this disaster. SHAM SYMPATHY FOR THE FARMERS. Tne gentlemen on the other side expressed sympathy for the farmer and their zeal to relieve the distress which they at length acknowledged surrounded the agricultur ist. Two years ago the democrats stood on the floor ad declared that the country was on the edge of a dark shadow. The repub caus bad ridiculed this, and had said that farm mortgages were only further evidence of prosperity and wealth. [Laughter.] At length these gentlemen were brought to their knees at the confessional, and were bound to admit that there was widespread depression through out the agricultural regions. What did the bill do to aid agriculture* It put sugar on the free list, though all the republicans did not come un like little gen tlemen and taxe sugar in theirs. Why did not the oommittee treat sugar as it treated wollen goods, and cotton goods, and iron goodsl Why did it not put a protective duty on sugar, and compel its production in this country and carry out the protective policy/ Coffee had been placed on the free list eighteen years ago by a republican congress. Why not put a prohibitory duty on coffee and naturalize it in this country? THE DUTY ON HIDES. Then there is another article—hides. Had the gentleman on the other side ever heard of hides before? [Laughter.] Hides had bobbed up and then bobbed down again. Sometime-; you saw them, sometimes you didn’t. Why did not the committee put a duty on hide3 as high as the duty on tin plate? The repub licans could have excluded ail foreign hides and increased the value of all hides in the western states, but they had never in tended to do it. He did not believe in the protection of hides. He was for free raw material and putting a low duty on the fin ished article that went to the consumers. Why did not the committee put a prohib itory duty on raw silk instead of dodging the question and providing for a bounty? Why did it not put a prohibitory duty on tea and develop the sas.-fras industry of this country ? [Laughter.] The committee had found that wheat production was in danger and had increased the duty 50 per cent. RIDICULOUS FEATURES. The United States exported 90,000,000 bushels of wheat a year, and last year it imported the startling amount of 1,940 bushels. [Laughter ] The increased duty was to pro.act the American farmer against the pauper of India. Corn was to be pro tected. The United States last year exported 09,000,000 bushels of corn and imported 2,888 bushels. This immense importation must bo stopped. The committee proposed to deliver the rye farmer. It was’going to speak words of comfort to him and toll him that he would not have to compete witu i>auper labor. How much rye did the United States im port ? Sixteen bushels. [Laughter.] Some udventurous farmer had bougntt his rye to improve his crop, and was to be rebuked for this at the capital of his nation. He attributed to the majority of tbo committee oue bold aud audacious move which meant the deliverance of the farmers. They cried out, “Let th? port-cuilis fall,” in order to save the cabbage patch. They had placed a duty on cabbage, and that was to be the panacea for ail ills. A CABBAGE PATCH BILL. The farmer could stand in his cabbage patch and defy the world. [Laughter.] This was a cabbage head bill. [Applause.] He did not expect to hinder the republicans from passing this bill; but ho wanted them to take the bill to the northwest and show it to the people whom they were taxing unnecessarily. He w anted them to confront these people, aud when they had preached their sermons and told the people how good the republicans had been, and how in the peopiels name they had cast out devils, the people would say to them: “(let thee behind me, Satan.” The democrats would not impede the passage of the bill, hut when the republicans appeared before the great Aineiican people after passing this measure may the Lord nave mercy oa their souls. [Antilause]. FARMERS NOT FOOLS. The republicans must do something more than this in order to fool the farmers. '1 he fanners understood that they needed a mar ket for their product*. This bill would almost atop the exportation of agricultural products, and then the republicans would hear a s.orm worse than a Nebraska cyclone* Imports were paid for by exports, and to stop importation wa9 to stop exportation. The republicans claimed that a home market was the best. The democratic cLim was tuat home and for eign markets were greater than a home market. In order to increase the home market and give employment to our own people the farmers must be given access to foreign markets where they could sell their surplus productsi Agriculture was chained like a galley slave. When her bonds were sundered and her products exported to foreign markets the price of her products would be increased at home and abroad, and the increased price would extend em ployment to production in all departments of labor. OVERPRODUCTION. The industries of the country had devel oped until they produced 15 per cent, more than could be cousumed in this country. The surplus was constantly increasing, and the question was what congress was going to do about it. The democratic wav was to let down the barriers, and let the surplus go out to the people who wanted it, and take from other people what they did not want, and we did. There was but one way for this country to enter into the contest with the world, and that was to “Lay aside every weight that doth beset her.” The people wanted a for eign market and they were going to have it. In this extraordinary bill anew policy was inaugurated by which the whole Amer ican people were taxed in order that some body might go into a foreign market and sell cheap goods to foreigners. The Amer ican government had its foundation laid by the grandest and greatest men the world ever produced. They did not build the government to tax the people in order that somebody might sell cheap goods to for eigners. BOUNTIES ON SUGAR. Discussing the sugar bounty clause, he said that the people who raised corn and wheat and rye would step up to the counter and say: “We will take some ‘sugar in ours.’” The democrats were opposed to subsidies. He wanted to see the' flag of the union float in every sea. He wanted to see American vessels in every port, but he wanted to see these vessels go into foreign ports as free ships representing free Ameri can institutions. He did not w ant to hire anybody to display the flag of the United States anywhere in the world. He wanted to see the flag, when it went into foreign seas, go as an emblem of the proudest and freest people of the V.orld who, by their genius, had conquered the seas and brought their commerce where they pleased. The republicans might pass their bill, but it had a hell-gate to go through after it left the house and Senate. [Applause.] There was a whirlpool be neath the surface of the waters upon which the little craft floated. The American peo ple were long-suffering, but there was a time when distress was so supreme that man stood with hi* door open and was bound to step forth for his own deliverance. That time had come. [Applause.] Four members occupied the evening ses sion in speeches on the tariff—Messrs. O’Donell of Michigan, Stewart of Georgia, Post of Illinois and Ellis of Kentucky. At 11:25 o’clock the House adjourned until 11 o’clock to-morro w. The committee then adjourned and the House took a recess till 8 o’clock. SILVER IN THE SENATE. Consideration of the Jones Bill Under Way. Washington, May 7.—ln the Senate to day Mr. Gibson presented the resolutions < f the Mississippi river improvement conven tion lately held in Vicksburg, and of the Southern Press Association, recently in ses sion at Charleston, S. C., in favor of the levee system and of the Eads system. Among the bills reported from commit tees aud placed on the calendar were the following: The House bill to fix regular terms of circuit and district courts for the Southern district of Alabama. The House regular appropriation bills for the army and for the military academy. FREE PASSES IN POLITICS. Mr. Call introduced a joint resolution authorizing the interstate commerce com mission to investigate casas of interference by railroad corporations (in issuing passes) with the election of United States senators and members of congress. It was referred, after the reading of a letter stating that free passes are now being circulated in Florida with such an object. The bill for the transfer of the revenue marine service to the navy department was taken 11:4 but at 2 o’clock it was displaced under last Friday’s agreement by the Sen ate bill authorizing the issue of treasury notes on deposit of silver bullion (tho Jones bill). The bill having been read in extenso Mr. Stewart rose and said: “I ask unan imous consent that the bill just read shall be postponed until Tuesday next and shall then be the unfinished business at 2 o’clock.” MR. VEST OBJECTS. Mr. Vest objected. He did not know, he said what arrangements had been made outside of the chamber, nor did he care. His judgment was that the silver bill was the most important bill on the calendar, t hat it ought to be disposed, of and that it had been unreasonably delayed. Mr. Stewart’s request was supported by several republican senators on the ground that Mr. Jonc* of Nevada, who had charge of the bill, is absent from the city and de sired a postponement. Mr. Vest’s objection prevailed, and con sideration of the silver bill was then pro ceeded with. SHERMAN MOVES AN AMENDMENT. Mr. Sherman moved to amend the bill by inserting as anew section a provision re pealing all the laws that require money de posited in the treasury under section 522 of the revised statutes to be held as a special fund for the redemption of national bank notes aud covering such money into the treasury; also covering into the treasury sums deposited under section 4 of the act of June 20, 1874, “fixing the amount of United States notes” (being section 6 of the Conger biU). Mr. Plumb moved to amend the amend! ment by inserting a provision that hereafter no funds available for the payment of the public debt (including such as are kept for the redumption of treasury notes) shall be retained in the treasury in excess of sllO,- 000,000. No vote was taken on either of the pending amendments, and Messrs. Vest and Teller gave notice of substitutes which they would offer for the whole bill. After an executive session the Senate adjourned. Confirmed by the Senate. Washington, May 7.—The Senate to day confirmed the nominations of J. W. Oast, to be supervising inspector of steam vessels for the Third district, Norfolk: aud W. L. Vanduaer, to be postmaster at Kis simmee, Fla. All Texas Backing Galveston. Washington, May 7.—Georgia congress men are deluged with Texas petitions for the appropriation of $6,000,000 for Galves ton harbor. They think the Savannah river and harbor should have it first. Government Bond Purchases. Washington, May 7. —The bond offer ings to-day aggregated $135,400. All wore accsuted at 122 fur 4s and 103i£ for 4>a'. SAVANNAH, GA., THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1890. FIRE’S TERRIBLE FURY. THB NUMBER OF DBAD AT LONGUB POINTS STILL. UNKNOWN. Different Estimates Place It all the Way from 20 to 150—The Inmates 1,780 In Number Instead of 1,300 as First Reported—The fcinger Com pany’s Heavy Loss. Longub Points, Qui., May 7.—The sister superior of the nuns who conducted the burned asylum places the loss of life by yesterday’s fire at twenty, possibly fifty. Dr. Duquet, the government medical inspector, thinks the loss will reach at least sixty. The consensus of opinion is that it will not be less than 100 and perhaps double that amount. One hundred male patients were quartered last night in the stables of tae institution and 100 females in the laundry. The loss is placed as high as #1,500,000. The insur ance is $500,000, iu the Royal Insurance Company of London, who reinsured this amount in eight other companies. Dr. Duquet asserts that the supposition is not correct, that all the men patients were saved, as some perished. GROWING WORSE. Montreal, May 7.—As full details of the Longue Pointe asylum fire beoome known the horror is intensified. It is known by the last report to the Quebec government that there were 1,780 Inmates instead of 1,300, and it is certain that no one will ever know the num er of the victims. From collateral information it must be that 150 are dead. It is now known that many of the wards were locked, and that in cases where the firemen did not break in the doors whole rooms full per ished miserably. HARRISON AFRAID OF QUAY. The President Will Not Press Him to Deny the Chartres. Washington, May 7.—Senator Quay called on the President to-day. This is the only fact upon which has been based a story that they had a stormy interview, iu which the President demanded some explanation of the charges against the senator, and the latter refused to give any. The truth is that whatever the President’s desires may bo, he does not dare to demand such an ex planation. Senator Quay is not only the chairman of the republican national committee, but lie is that committee, wholly and entirely con trolling ft through his two lieutenants. First Assistant Postmaster General Clarkson and CoL Dudley, neither of whom like President Harrison any bettor than Seuator Quay does. The republican national committee now occupies a position of armed neutrality as to the republican President which may be any moment changed into a position of active hostility. President Harrison is a candidate for re-election and does not dare to draw out Senator Quay. So far as President Harri son is concerned Senator Quay will never have to answer the charges against him. The meeting of the republican executive national committee, which was to be held to-day, was postponed until May 20, not as rumor has it—because the President pro posed to have it out with Senator Quay before that time—but because of the illness of Gen. Clarkson’s father, who died to-day. SPEED OF THE CUSHING. She Makes Twenty-Seven Miles an Hour and is a Success in Every Way. Washington, May 7.—The government’s new torpedo boat, Cushing, this afternoon showed several members of the Senate com mittee on naval affairs that the govern merit has in her a very remarkable craft. She not only steamed down the river at a rate of speed that made those on board open their eyes, and river boatmen look twice to see that it wes not a vision passing by, but gave au excellent exhibition of the thor oughness and ease with which her every movement may be controlled. WONDERFUL SPEED. It usually takes river boats nearly two hours t o make the trip to Mt Vernon, but the Cushing found forty minutes sufficient. Part of the time her speed was between tweflty-six and twenty-seven miles an hour, and what was equally notable was the craft’s steadiness, tuere being no more sen sation of rocking than there would be on a railway train while going at twenty-five miles an hour. The engines were reversed and the boat was backed at the rate of eighteen miles an nour. She also turned in her own length. KENTUCKY’S SENATORS HIP. Carlisle Not to be a Candidate for the Position. Washington, May 7.—Ex-Speaker Car lisle will probably remain in the nouse. He said when he was asked at the time Sen ator Beck’s illness became critical, several weeks ago, whether he would be a candi date for the succession if Senator Beck re tired that he would not be a candidate if there wai to be a contest over it. There is no reason to believe that Mr. Carlisle has changed his mind, and, as there is certain to be a fight over the succession, it may be set down as pretty certain that Mr. Car lisle will not be a candidate. W. C. P. Breckinridge or Mr. McCreary is now most likely to succeed Senator Beck. GEN. EARLY’S RANSOMS . The Houee Committee Advises That They be Refunded. Washington, May 7.—The House com mittee on war claims, after hearing argu ments by Representative McComas, has re versed its action in voting to report adversely the bill appropriating $231,500 to reimburse tho towns of Frederick, Hagers town and Middletown; Mi, for tho refund ing of ransoms levied and exacted by Gen Jubal A. Early in July, 1864, and to-day the bill was reported to tho House. M’DUFFIB VERSUS TURPIN. The House Elections Committee Wipes Out a Big Majority. Washington, May 7.— The report of the House elections committee in the contested election of John N. McDufßo vs. Louis W. Turpin, from the Fourth Alabama [dis trict, shows that Mr. Turpin’s ma jority, as certified by the secre tary of state of Alabama, was 13,153; but the oommittee, after weighing all the evidence in the case, has transformed this into a majority of 4,481 for Mr. McDuffie, the contestant. A BLOOD-THIRSTY LOVER. Upon Being Rejected Ha Shoots the Girl and Commits Suicide. Omaha, Neb., May 7.—At Freeport, Con ner county, a young man named Clark, who has been courting Miss Mclntyre, the daughter of wealthy parents, proposed to he , and wo on she re jected him shot her in the breast. He then blew out his brains. The doctors say the girl will die. GEORGIA’S HIGH CREDIT. John H. Inman Takes $1,600,000 3 1-2 Per Cent. Bonds at Par. Atlanta, May 7.—Bid* were opened to day by Gov. Gordon and Treasurer Harde man for bonds of the state of Georgia, of the par value of $1,900,000, in denomina tions of SI,OOO each, the bonds to be dated July 1, 1890, and to mature SIOO,OOO Jan. 1, 1917, and SIOO,OOO each year thereafter till exhausted. Three bids were received. The first was by G. A. Speer, who offered to take the whole lot at 4 per cent. Patrick Calhoun offered 11-6 of 1 per cent, premium for $500,000 worth of bonds at per cent. Tue next bid was made by John H. In man, who bid for the whole issue at 3% per cent, interest. It wsh decided by the fovernor and attorney general to let Mr. uman have the bonds. WHY THEY ARK ISSUED. The bonds are to take up the issue of 7 por cent, bonds due Oct. 1, which sold for only 87j£ cunts on the dollar. To-day’s sale is regarded as the best since the war. The last issue put on the market sold for 104}+', bearing interest at 4 >4 per cent. It is said that no other southern state hae been able to float straight 3% per cent, bonds. Mr. Inman’s chock for $50,000, as a guarantee, is in the hands of Treasurer Hardeman. FROST NIP3 CROPS. Strawberries, Peaches and Pears Hurt in Illinois. Pekin, 111., May 7. —A heavy frost settled down here early yesterday morning and ice formed. The strawberry crop, peaches and pears are very badly damaged. At Mount Carroll, Til., the drought was broken Tuesday, but a heavy frost later did more damage to grain and fruit than the rain did benefit. The prospect for fruit was never poorer than now. A HOAR FROST AT SPRINGFIELD. Springfield, 111., May 7. —Vegetation was covered with a white hoar frost yester day morning, and garden vegetables are distinctly nipped. Information from the country reports it to boa killing frost, affecting vegetables and possibly fruits. No indications are given os to whether it dam aged winter wheat. Ice was formed in this city. MISSOURI COATED. St. Louis, May 7. —Heavy frosts are re ported from various sections of thi9 state, aud it is feared that the wheat crop has been injured. In many places small fruits are destroyed, while In othors trees in bloom suffered con siderably. Tho frost was very heavy in Pike and Adrian counties, in bo:h places ice forming and tbs ground being frozen to a considerable depth. THE VISITATION A GENERAL ONE. Chicago, May 7.—Dispatches received from points in this state and lowa show that frosts were quite general last night and the night before. Fruits aud vegeta bles are reported seriously damaged. CITIES AT THE POLLS. The Democrats Make a Good Showing in Indiana. Chicago, May 7.—Municipal elections were generally held throughout Indiana yesterday. In Valparaiso the republican* elected the mayor and treasurer, the democrats elect ing the clerk and marshal. The republicans elect two aldermen and the democrats one, leaving the control of the city still in the hands of the-republicans. In Lafayette the democrats elected four of the seven council and water commis sioners. This gives the democrats control. In Crawfordsville, owing to the decided stand the republican council has taken against saloons aud gambling, the demo crats put a full ticket in the field and secured two councilman. In Fort Wayne the democrats elected eleven councilmen and the independents one. The new council stands sixteen demo crats and two republicans. A HIGH LICENSE VICTORY. In Covington high license won a victory by the election of four councilmen. In Jeffersonville the democrats elected the assessor and four out of the five council men. In New Albany tho democrats elected five out of the six councilmen, a gain of one. In Logausport the election resulted in the election of one republican and four dem ocratic councilmen. In Goshen the republicans eleotad the mayor and treasurer, and the democrats the clerk, marshal, three councilmen and the water works commissioner. High license and various other local issues complicated the contests in many places. , A FAST CRUISE ii. The Philadelphia Make* 20.74 Knots on Her Trial Trip. Philadelphia, May 7.—The United States cruiser Philadelphia, which started down the Delaware river yesterday morn ing for a preliminary trial trip, returned this afternoon. It hod been tho intention of her builders, William Cramp & Sons, to keep her out three days, but her sea test this morning was so successful that Capt. Steele of Cramp & Sons, who commanded, brought her back one day ahead of time. OFF ON HER TRIAL TRIP. The cruiser was started on her trial trip at 7 o’clock this morning over a courso out to sea bearing east-southeast from Cape Henlopen and return, sixty-five miles. With a steam pressure of 154 pounds each of her engines made 118 revolutions, developing a speed of 20.74 knots per hour. This speed was maintained for three and a half hours. The naval officers on board, including Capt* Bradford, who is to comma id the Philadel phia, and others of her officers were well pleased with her performance, and express the belief tbat she is a twenty-one knot ship, SCRANTON SCORCHED. Manufacturing Buildings and Eighteen Dwellings Burned. Scranton, Pa., May 7.— The works of the Bloom Carriage Manufacturing Com pany, on Eighth street, caught fire to-night. The flames spread rapidly to adjoining property and destroyed eighteen private dwellings, the pattern shop and boiler houses of Finch’s foundry, and the scree u work* of Brock & Ross. One block of twelve houses was carried away completely. Every fire company in ttie city was summoned tq the scene, and tbe fire is now under control. The loss is $160,000, which is only partly insured. Death in a Collision. Allentown, Pa., May 7.—At 6:45 o’clock this morning a New Jersey Central express train ran into a Lehigh Valley pas senger train for New York at the grade crossing of Union street. Two Lehigh Valley passenger cars and the engine of t ie New Jersey Central train were thrown on their sides. A young lady passenger in tbe Lehigh Valley train was killed. Five or six other persons were injured, but not wsri ouly. BANKERS IN A PICKLE. Officials of the Bank of America Un der Arrest. Philadelphia, Pa., May 7. —President Louis E. Pfieffer, Cashier James L. Dun gan. Assistant Cashier Joshua Pfieffer and Paying Teller W. H. Hergisheimer of the suspended Bank of America were arrested this afternoon shortly before the stockholders’ meeting on two warrants sworn out by Rodger Maynes, a director and stockholder of the bank. The president and cashier are charged with re ceiving a deposit off 33,000 from Mr. Muynos April 29, the day before the au nouuceinesitof the suspension, well knowing their institution was insolvent The assist ant cashier and teller are charged with re fusing the pay me:, t of Mr. Maynes’ check for $2,026 presented April 29 and 80 (both days), with a statement that Mr. Maynes had no funds to his credit, when on each cf these days he had more than $55,000 to hi* credit The four officials furnished bail in $30,000 each for a hearing before a magistra l to rn rrow. This is the third time President Pfieffer has been arrested on the tame charge preferred by other depositors. VON KUS6BROW’S RECALL. He Had Been a Go-between for Bis marck and a Newsoaper. Berlin, May 7. —The Tabblatt say* that the recall of Herr von Kusserow, the Prus sian minister at Hamburg, is due to hi* having been the medium of communication between Prince Bismarck and the Ham burger Nachrichten. The Hamburger Correspondent says that imperial couriers have been engaged in carrying letters between tho emperor and Prince Bismarck for a few days. There is considerable doubt in parliamentary circles here as to whether the government will obtain a majority in the Reichstag unless its military demands nro reduced. WIBMANN WINS A VICTORY. The Town of Kilwa Oocupled After Bombardment. Zanzibar, May 7.—The expedition under command of Maj. Wismann, which re cently left for Kilwa to make an attack on that place, has been successful. The place was occupied May 4, Maj. Wismann’s forces meeting no opposition. Previous to its occupation by tho expedition the town was bombarded by the German gunboats form ing part of the German force and the na tives were paralyzed with fear by tho fire from the vessels. The British subjects who w ore held in the town by the natives were not injured. MAYDAY IN ITALY Premier Crlspl Makes a Confidential Report to the King. Rome, May 7.—Premier Crispi, in a con fidential note to King Humbert on the May day demonstration*, states that ixty foreign agitators were expelled from Italy, that 600 Italians distributing re volutionary pamphlets wore arrested, that 8,000 suspects were punished or warned, that 300 soldiers possessing manifestoes were punished, that no dynamite or arms were seized, aud that on the whole Italy was less troubled than other countries. KAISER WILLIAM’S BPEBOH. The Austrian and Hungarian Press Pleased by Its lone. Vienna, May 7.— The Austrian and Hun garian press express delight with the pacific tenor of the speech delivered by Emperor William at tho opening of the Reichstag yesterday. The papers of both countries declare that Emperor William’s solicitude for the workingmen-has strengthened the internal peace of Germany, and that main tenance of the strength of the German army has strengthened external peace. Flames In a Coal Mine. London, May 7. —Fire broke out to-day in the Abraham colliery at Lehigh, seven miles southwest of Bolton. Great excite ment prevailed for a time as it was known that 350 miners were entombed in the burn ing pit. Preparations were instantly made for their rescue aud they were all brought to tho surface. None were injured. A Conflict at Lille. P aris, May 7. —An encouuter between police and a body of disorderly strikers oc curred at Lille last evening. Two strikers were wounded and seven arrested. Affairs at Tourcoing are becoming more quiet. It is expected that the strikers generally will resume work in a short time. France’s War in Dahomey. Paris, May 7. —Official dispatches from Katonou say that the bombarding of Wvhdah has demoralized the Dabomeyans, and that thoy are inclined to accept the terms of the French. Forty-six naval fusiliers and 135 marine infantry have em barked at Brest for Dakar and Katonou. Refused a Hearing by the Czar. London, May 8, 3 a. m.— A dispatch from St Petersburg says tbe czar refused to see four Finnish delegates who came to lay be fore him certain grievances. Tne empress, however, received the delegates graciously and promised to consider their complaints. Strikes in Berlin. Berlin, May 7.—Seventeen hundred car penters have struck. They are supported by their union. Tbe masons have also struck. masters have yielded to the carpenters’ demand of nine hours. German Visitor* Coming. Berlin, May 7.—The association of Ger man Corn Mas ers has accepted an invita tion from the American Insiscute of Mining Engineers to visit the industrial districts of America. The visiting party wiliffinum ber over 109 persons. Custom House Peculations. Buenos Ayres, May 7. —Grave pecula tions have been discovered in the customs department here. The revenue lost by the government by embezzlements is estimated to have reached $10,1)90,609 annually. A Man Cut In Three Pieces. Charlotte, N. C., May 7.—Joseph E. Ross, a freight conductor on tbe Richmond and Danville road between here and Atlanta,was cut in three pieces at Hpartan burg, S. C., this morning while shifting care. Norfolk and Western Officers. Roanoke, Va., May 7.— The annual meeting of the Norfolk and Western Rail way Company was held to-day. The fol lowing officers were elected: E. J. Kim ball of Philadelphia, president; Charles G. Eddy of Roanoke, vice president: W. J. Hemphill of Puilodelphia, secretary; and W. G. McDowell of Puiladelpnia, treasurer. The old board of direc ore was re-elected. The old officers of the Hheuandoah Valley road were also re-elected. I DATT.YJIOA YEAR. J ■< BO ENTS A COPY. > I WEEKLY,!.2S A YEAR. A RALLY OF METHODISTS. THE QUADRENNIAL GENERAL CON FERENCE IN SESSION. St. Louis the Meeting Place for tha First Time Since 1850-Forty Con ferencea Represented—Senior Blahop Keener in the Chair—Au Out Una of the Proceedings. Bt. Louis, May 7. —Thi* morning at 10 o’clock the quadrennial general conference of the Methodist Episcopal ohurch south began in the Centenary Methodist Epis copal church,at the corner cf Sixteenth and Pino streets. This is the first meeting of the general conference In this city since 1850. Tbere are forty conferences repre sented in the general oonference. and tha states of Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Kansas, North Carolina, South Cirolina, Indiana, Mississippi, Montana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oregon, Virginia, West Virginia, Illinois, Brazil and Mexico. The conference ia com posed of eight bishops and 290 delegates. The venerable senior bishop, J. C. Keener, presided over the preliminary proceeding* and read the opening hymn. W. P. Harrison of South Georgia was elected secretary, and named as bis assist ants W. A. Candler of North Georgia, Mr, Mason of Alabama, and Mr. Taggart of Kentucky. The rules of the last conference were adopted after considerable argument. Dr. John Matthews then delivered a cor dial address of welcome, which was felicU tously,responded to by Bishop Keener. Tho regular bishop’s address was then read by Bishop A. W. Wilson of Baltimore, and a recess was taken. THE PASTORAL LETTER. The pastoral letter, signed by all tbsi bishops, and which is read only once in four years, was presented by Bishop Wilson of Baltimore. The letter is very lengthy and relates to the affairs of the church at boma and abroad. Among the more interesting features of the letter are the following: The conduct of tho affairs of the church during the quadrennial jierlod has been attended with as little difficulty as can be expected under any system administered by men. With very few exceptions tha preachers have been blameless, nor have we to mourn many departures from recti tude and propriety of life among our mem bers. Close inspection and more vigorous application of the discipline would perhaps have brought to light offenses that have escaped publication and censure, but it may be questioned if in any age or under any conditions the church has enjoyed greater freedom from tho vices and sins that dishonor humanity and exclude from the kingdom of God. Asa whole the ad ministratiou has beau faithful,and it* results commend our system as thoroughly effect ive and suited to too conditions aud needs of our widely extended territory. THE GAINS IN FOUR YEARS. Before referring specifically to the insti tutions and enterprises of the church, we should take note of its estimated force* and the increase made since the last general conference. Four years ago there were re ported in the general minutes 4,406 travel ing preachers, of which number 3,885 were effective. The report of last year shows 4,863, of which 4,295 are ef fective in an increase of 456 in the itinerant ranks. The local ministry has grown in the same period from 5,943 to 6,269, an addition of 1126. There* were, according to the minutes of 1885, 980,645 members. The last returns give 1,166,019, an increase of 185,384. The whole number of preachers and members at pres* ent is estimated at 1,177,150, an addition to our force in four years of 186,156. FOREIGN MISSION WORK. The last general conference directed tha oollege of bishop* to include foreign mis sion* in their plan of visitation,and to give them in common with the church at home imrnediae supervision. Iu compliance with this requirement China, Japan and Brazil have each been visited twice and Mexico annually. The results have justified tho measure. In China, our oldest, and wo must consider it our most important mis sion, we aro suffering for want of men. Japan, our latest mission, has been so com pactly and effectively organized and has worked so successfully that it* members feel impelled to ask tbat they be relegated toon annuii conference. Tbe thorough ness of their administration and tho reasons given iu their memorial seem to justify tho petition. Wo recom mend that it be granted. The missions ia Mexico and Brazil are waking steady prog-j gress. The board of missions chosen by the last general conference, has by the fidelity, painstaking, and practical wisdom with which it has discharged its f unction*, proved itself worthy of the confidence imposed in it. WORK OF THE WOMAN’S BOARD. The work of the woman's board of mis* siou s deserves your attention in China and Brazil, in Mexico and on the border and in the Indian territory. In the schools under their care, through Bible women, and by hospital work, they have diligently minis tered to tho wants of the women and chil dren, and prepared the way of the Lord. Much of the success of our regular mission ary service is due to their efforts, and in many places this form of work has become indispensable. The literary entertainment of our time constitutes a positive threat to the man* hood and womanhood of the coming gen eration. All the worst and vilest elements of liie are pushed forth daily from the press in the attractive guise of Action, and become almost the exclusive nutriment of thousands of young minds. Ws are not disposed to deny that there is much in the form of fictitious literature not to be condemned, but the largest circulation is accorded to sectional, sontimental and dissipating ex pressions of men of corrupt minds, whose thoughts are so attired that they may sur reptitiously make their way into the inner sanctuaries of uocorruptod natures and poison the fountain of their faith. At any cost our young people should be secured against this pest, and no means of security aojiears to us except that which is found in thorough Christian education. CHURCH EXTENSION. The board of church extension has proven a valuable adjunct to the board of missions iu our western territory, and has aided in no insignificant degree in conserv ing and building up much of our work in the older conferences. The church in the west aided by both boards has made grati fymg progress. Churches, parsonages and schools have been built and the institutions a:;d character of our church have been maintained and vindicated. The Sunday school department shasrs progresi in the number of schools, aud officers, and teachers, and pupils, as also in the amount and quality of iu literature. When the address was finished the con ference adjourned. When the conference reassembled at 4 o’clock the standing committees were ap pointed, and tho organization was con cluded.