The morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, March 24, 1892, Image 1
( THE MORNING SIWS. I J ScTABLJBaiDIBSO.IjfOOaPOBArKDISBB. y } J. H. SBTILL, President. \ HEIRLOOM OF MR. BLAND. MU. STONE MAKES A HUMOROUS TURN ON THE SILVER BILL. Colonial Days In Virginia When Cur rency Was Asked on Deposits of Tobacco In State Warehouses—The Lines of Both Parties Broken on the Pending Measure. Washington, Maroh 21—The silver de bate in the House of Representatives to-day stowed the intensity of the publio Interest In that great question whioh now faces congress for solution, and threatens to be oome s political issue in the presidential campaign of the autumn. The speeches were all of a positive character. They were the arguments of men who have stern con victions upon the sides which they respect ively represent and who are uncompromis ing in their declarations of the polioy which should be pursued. Gradually the conviction is forcing Itself upon the members that it is to be no drawn battle, that the issue is one wbicn cannot be averted and that the day is near at hand when the House of Representatives must declare on a yea and nay vote its position on the great question of free coinage. The gentlemen who pinned their hopes on the chances of a compromise at the last hour by toe substitu tion of a bill providing for au international monetary congre-s are losing oourage to day, and even the indomitable Mr. Tracey of New York concedes that the free coinage bill will have a clear majority, if a dual vote is ever reached upon its passage. FILIBUSTERING ANTICIPATED. The free coinago men anticipate that their opponents will resort pi filibustering and nro prepared to invoke the aid of the oom m ttee on rules at the very outset in that event. Mr. Tracey announced that the tint motion to be made by the opponents of the bill at the conclusion of the debate, and be fore any disposition to dlibuster is mani fested. will be in the form of a resolution recommitting the bill to the coinage com mittee, with instructions to report a substi tute bill providing for nn international monetary congress for tho adjustment of tne entire silver problem. If it is defeated ali the resources of parliamentary rules will be invoked to tire out the friends of the bill and prevent a final vote upon its passage. The galleries were crowded when the speaker’s gavel rapped the House to order at noon to-day, and there was no abatement from the great interest manifested at the opening hours of the debate yesterday. The floor and lobbies of the House, too, were well crowded with ox-members and sena tors, ami on the sofa in the rear of the ball was seated A. J. Warner, well known as one of the fathers of the free coinage move ment. In the galleries were seated many hankers and financial experts from all over the country, and the West srn Union wires on the outside were busy bearing hasty messages that flashod to the country of the progress of the discussion and conveyed to the great finan cial centers every indication that appeared in the political atmosphere. After some un important routine proceedings, the silver bill was taken up. “I desire to give notice,” said Chairmau Bland at the opening of the debate, "that at 2 o’clock to morrow I shall demand the previous question on the silver bill and the pending amendments.” This means merely that the goneral debate will close at 2 j'olock to-morrow, and that the final vote will then be taken on the bill and its amend ments unless its opponents inaugurate a series of filibustering tactics. PIERCE SUPPORTS THE BILL. The first speaker of the day was Repre sentative Pierce of Tennessee, the able young lieutenant of Chairman Bland on the coinage committee. “In the discussion of the pending measure,” said Mr. Pierce, "if 1 did not believe that free and unlimited coinage of silver was for the best interests cf the whole people of tho country I should cot so warmly support this measure. It is July by going back to the past upon this question of bimetallism that wo can prop fly understand this groat question, for the question of to-day is whether we shall have amietallism or monometallism. Going tack to 1861, beginning with the action >f the great nations of the world ipon this question, we find that great in- Lstrial England was prosperous aud happy wtil she struck down silver aud discarded it as one of her coin metals. The voice of bor then as now was unheeded, and the •(suit was that the next three years wit nessed a period of depression, distress and raftering hitherto unknown in the kingdom tf Great Britain. GOLD ONCE IN DANGER. Mr. Pierce quoted from tho financial his •pry of England and other countries at the lime of the great increase iu the outout of 10:d following the disooverles in California, is showing that these discoveries resulted 0 a burst of prosperity due to an ixpausion of the currency, and that 1 waß then proposed to demonetise laid and adopt a single silver standard. The lentiment whioh sought the deinonetlization a gold then was tne sune which to-day jougbt Bilver’s|demonetlization. It was the loctrine of greed which wanted money to * scarce in order that capital might get big ‘•turns. It was proposed then to demonetize t°ld as, in 1871, the increase in the produc iion of silver resulted in a movement to ‘trike down silver in order to make money ‘•ar. Prosperity bloomed and blossomed kuong the industrial aud agricultural classes \ evr y country, but the financial interests •aioh dominated affairs said we were got “og too muoh money and oapital was not letting the profits it should have. After a °t of 1873 depression had swept over ■J® country bringing ruin and distress to “iousands of our people and especially wtresi to those engaged in agriculture. A 'ingle gold standard was in the interest of bankers and monoy changers. This was ■te evil, and to the root of the evil the Ntnedy must be applied. The hour was at wa when tbe American people were de~ “BQding that the wrong done in 1873 ®tuld be righted, that in some measure Wi-e should be done. Would tho repro "ratatives of the people respond to the de mand of the great laboring olasses? THE TWO ROADS. as ? gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ray b/r haa Baifl *kat congress was confronted > two r< ads, over one of whioh it must •h Ve ' 4 e8 ’ were two roads; one was road of honor, of principle, of justice, .tight; the other was the road of gv’bction, of wrong and of infamy. th h roßl * would the representatives of I P*°ple tread 1 What reason was there h demonetization of siiver in 1813, l r h* Iro,n I®** until that date a silver dol gw never been worth less than 100 cents? i ula ibis demonetization go on, or should an tv* 1 !? 1)8 “PPUodl The Democratic party t , °° r through its representatives ad uwd an honest dollar. It asked nothing '*• It was by acts of law that honest or •as*? were made. By law silver l, r niade what was termed a dishonest dol v by law it could be made an honest jM k j Ver bad never depreciated, but ii., ?•*} appreciated. Silver was to-day Bon 1*“ 6Ter , *’OU, the money of the oom iut k , 11 '! 0 a,l( * * l bad uever fallen in value, i.. 7* “'ways kept apace with the prod ism,,bor. Nature had planted in the u- * :®i* money for the benefit of the labor s u a , i. Lei congrats give il back to those elje iHflfning sfeto£. to whom it justly belonged. Let congress rehabilitate it, “render unto Caesar the things that are Csssar’s.” Mr. Pieroe pro ceeded to argue that the remonetisation of silver would not result in the flooding of the oountry with the silver of the world. That bad not been the experience of Prance. He would have the United States, like Franoe, remonetize silver and pat It on an equal footing with gold. CARLISLE'S POSITION. As showing the policy of the Democratic party aud the views of its leaders, be quoted from a speech made by Senator Carlisle in the House in the Forty-fifth congress in whioh he said that the demonetisation of one-half the metallic money of the world was a moat gigantio crime, and would ulti mately entail more misery on the human race than all the wora, famines or pestilence. He (Mr. Bierce) agreed with Mr. Carlisle all along the line. Quoting further from Mr. Carlisle, he oalled attention to the utter ances of the Kentucky senator to the effect that the act of 1878 was the first victory of the people, and that he trusted the fight would be kept up. The representatives of the people here to-day proposed to take up what the sen ator said in the Forty-fifth congress and push tt to a finish. Mr. Pierce next quoted from a speech made by Mr. Mills in the Forty-ninth con gress in support of silver legislation. To that language he said “amen” over and over again. With those two distinguished leaders of democracy he stood in favor of the remonetization of the people’s money. Mr. Pierce again quoted from Mr. Mills’ speech during the last congress, and, a re publican querying whether Mr. Mills would vote for free coinage now, Mr. Pieroe exclaimed: "I know that he will vote tor free ooinage this fall, as he has always done.” [Applause.] NEW ENGLAND’S THREAT. In conclusion Mr. Pieroe said: “There are gentlemen of New England who say to us that if we pass a fres silver bill in this House, New England will send an unbroken body of re publican representatives to this hall, and that they will give us the foroe bill. I want to say to you, gentlemen from New England, that alt democrats of the south and west measure our action by democratic rule, and Thomas Jefferson, the father of democracy, having said that a cardinal principle of the democracy was submission to the will of the majority fairly expressed, we in the south aud west, when the major ity speaks, bow to it and support the nomi nee and platform that the majority present. [Applause.] That is our kind of democracy. We do not recognize as a democratic expe dient this new remedy which, I believe, they call the 'gold cure’ remedy, whioh, it appears, is lately killing so many people who are undertaking to save them selves by it, and I tell you the ‘gold cure’ which you are proposing to take will kill you as effectually as the Keeley ‘gold cure’ is killing some others. When the force bill passed this House and went to the Senate gloom settled over this country from one end of it to the other. Especially did dark clouds lower over our beautiful south land. An intimation had gone abroad that the foroe bill was to be put upon us. Expectancy was deepening into a certainty. The press of the country informed us that President Harrison had pledged himself to approve and use his offi cial influence to carry through this measure which proposed to strike down the last ves tige of personal and civil and political lib erty in this oountry. But, sirs, the lowering clouds that hovered over our land Began to break away;eaoh rift had a silver lining, and through the rifts we saw the grand, glorious, brave aud patriotic republican senators of the west standing between their party and the liber ties of tne people. By their votes the force bill was defeated. I want to say to you, gentlemen from New England, that the same grand, brave, glorious and honorable men stand there to-day as a bulwark be tween the Republican party and the inter ests of the people of this country. They are men who we know will again interpose to save the liberties of these people. With this reliance we do not fear the force bill. We have no fears of anything of that kind that the Republican parly may undertake to impose upon the country, but we de mand that this House give to the people its full measure of redress for the wrong done in 1873. [Loud applause on the democratic side.] NEW YORK’S OPPOSITION. Mr. Fitch of New York said that he was earnestly opposed to the passage of the bill. He had intended to give his reasons for that opposition, but he had presented to-day a petition from the New York Chamber of Commerce against the measure which stated with accuracy and dearness reasons why the bill should not pass. He felt that there was nothing to add. He had never known such a unanimity of opinion among all classes of people as existed in the state of New York in opposition to this bill, and it was a source of gratitude to the opponents of the measure that the New York Cham ber of Commerce, which for 124 years had voiced the sentiment of that state, had spoken as clearly as it had on this occasion. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Taylor) hod said that the Democratic party hod shown Its ability to f:et on both sides of this question. The lemocratic pnrtv had no monopoly in this regard. [Laughter], The republicans iu the Senate bad also managed to get on both sides. In the coming campaign Mr. 111s cock would ask for votes for his party because he had voted against the bill; Mr. Stanford would ass fur republican votes because he had voted for the measure; Mr. Hoar would say tbat the bill should have been defeated, and Mr. Sanders would tell his constituents how bravely he had voted for free coinage. The arguments with which the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Bland) aud others had presented the bill yesterday were taken from the speeches of Messrs. Stewart aud Jones, who had fur nished for years the brainsjof this agitation. The republicans were not op posing this bill on the ground that it would prove detrimental to tho people but for the purpose of obtaining party capital. “We will put the democrats into a diffi culty," was their oommon expression. Who made the real fight against the bill? Nobody but the democrats from New England and New York. Where did the literature come from in favor of free coinage! From the sliver states represented by republican senators, who were not generally believed to have been plunged into poverty by their connection with silver mines.” AN HEIRLOOM OF THE BLAND FAMILY. Mr. Stone of Pennsylvania denounces the pending bill as being not a bill for free coin age of gold and silver but a bill for an un limited issue of paper money. Ho had a suspicion chat this bill is an heirloom to the Bland family. [Laughter.] In reading the history of his country he discovered that one Richard Bland was a leading member of the bouse of burgesses of Virginia in 1748. He was a man of patriotism aud ability, but, like his distinguished namesake of to-day, he seemed to labor under tbe Idea that the economlo aud financial system of his days needed tinkering with. [Laughter.] In those days the currouoy of Virginia seems to have been tobacco in hogsheads of MO pounds. [Laughter.] The inconvenience of carrying around the legal tender of the day uaturally aroused a desire ou the part of the people of tbe day to devise a more convenientsystem of ourrenev. This desire took shape in the Bland bill of 1748. [Laughter. J Thu bill was almost a oounter- SAVANNAH, GA., THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1892. part of the bill of to-day. It provided for tbe establishment of government ware housee and the appointment of government Inspectors in charge of them. The Bland bill of to-day provides for the use of tbe mints already erected. Tbe bill of 1748 provided for tbe deposit of any amount of tobacco, by any person, and the issue of "tobacco notes,” the notes to be accepted as legal tender and bo receivable for debts and dues of tbe government. The bill of to-day provides for the deposit of silver bullion, 'whether owned by an inhabitant of England or Afrioa or America, and the issue therefor of coin notes as legal tender receivable for the debts aud dues of the gov ernment. [Laughter.] A BILL FOB UNLIMITED PURCHASE. This bill is not a bill for free and unlimited coinage of silver, but a bill for unlimited purchase of silver bullion. There wore nine bills before the committee tbat did pro vide for free coinage, but they were all laid aside and this bill was reported in their stead. The effect of the bill by repealing the act of two years ago, tbe act of 183 U, would be to restore the act of 1878. “Does tho gentleman take the position," inquired Mr. Bland, "that to repeal the aot of July 14, 1890, would revive the force of the previous act thereby repealed!” "Yes, sir.” “That is a position contrary to all the principles of law that I ever beard of,” said Mr. Bland. “The aot of 1890 repeals a portion of the act of 1878. Now, this bill, in repealing the aot of 1890, does not restore the aot of 1878 at all.” Mr. Stone persisted that Mr. Bland was wrong and that tbe passage of the pending bill would be to revise the act of 1878 pro viding merely for compulsory coinage of $3,000,000 per month. AN EXTENSION OF TIME ASKED. At the conclusion of Mr. Stone’s remarks Mr. Bland asked consent that the debate on the free silver bill, which would expire to-morrow night, be extended until Friday afternoon at 5 o’clock, but Mr. Simpson of Kansas objected on account of the failure of the friends of the bill to make any allotment of time to the repre sentatives of tbe People’s party. Mr. Warner of New York, a democrat, spoke in opposition to tbe bill. He did not believe in the right of the government to enoourage or discourage the use of either guiu or silver by enforcing an arbitrary ratio between the two metals. He thought the duty of the government should end when it placed upon its silver coin the stamp of the government citifying to the amount of pure metal in the coin. "If this was an aotual free coinage bill,” said he, "it would receive my support; but it it a proposition that every bullion owner in this country shall be allowed to bring his bullion to the mints and the government stamp It with an assertion that every 70 cents worth of it is worth a dollar. Every man is then compelled to accept silver at 40 per cant, premium in violation of all obliga tions contracted for the payment of debts in honest money. It is not a free ooinage bill, but a farce currency bill. Mr. Brawley of South Carolina opposed the bill, contending that its passage would prove detrimental to tbe business interests of the country. The ratio fixed in the measure was not the ratio fixed by the markets of the world, os Jefferson anil Hamilton both said it should be. The ratio should be fixed by the ratio of the relative prices of the two metals. So this question would have been treated if it hod not been for the sliver kings, who, encouraged by the practice of subsidies and protection in this oountry, wished to palm off their produot on tbe government at a price great er than its market value. One interest after another had been protected by this govern ment at tbe expense of the people, uutil they stood like barons in those castles in medieval Italy and Germany upon every precipitous hill and crag, whence they dominated the subject land, levying tribute and extorting ransom. It would poison the source of prosperity to depart from that standard which had unvarying equivalence with the money of the world. NOT A DEMOCRATIC MEASURE. Mr. Hall of Minnesota, in opposition to the bill, said that it should have ema nated from the republican side of the House. It was a plant of such delioate fiber that only the rich soil of republican ism could be expected to bring it to fruition. The bill was not for free coinage. It was honeycombed and saturated with McKin leyism. Mr. Lynch of Wisconsin opposed the measure, declaring that its chief aim was to make something out of nothing: its chief purpose to make 70 cents worth 100 cents. Mr. Stout of Michigan also raised his voice iu opposition and argued in favor of an honest dollar, which would be worth 100 cents. Mr. Lodge of Massachusetts, Mr. Beltz hoover of Pennsylvania aud Mr. Perkins of lowa opposed the bill. Mr. MoKeighan of Nebraska, an independent, spoke in favor of it. and Mr. Bushnell of Wisconsin spoke in favor of the proposed amendment, pro viding that hereafter the silver dollar shall contain one ounce (troy) of pure silver. Tbe House then took a recoss until 7:30 o’clook. THE NIGHT SESSION. When the House met after tbe recess there were not a dozen members in attend ance, although the galleries were filled with spectators. Mr. Perkins of lowa concluded his speech with an attack upon the Demo cratic party. Messrs. Coombs, Baoon and Chapin of New York, Page of Maryland, Brosius of Pennsylvania, Hayes of lowa, Geisseuhalner of New Jersey, Walker of Massachusetts and Bunting of New York opposed the bill. Messrs. Abbott of Texas, Townsend of Col orado, Whiting of Michigan and Layton of Ohio advocated it. Mr. Livingston of Georgia, in advocating the bill, said that if congress did not now hear the voice of the people, the time would soon come when that voice would be heard. Tbe cry was for relief. The people had bung their banners on the outer walls and had exclaimed: "Lay on Macduff, and damned be he who first cries : ‘Hold, enough!’ ” The gentlemen from Massa chusetts. who represented democratic con stituents, opposed this bill because they thought that it might endanger democratic success in the next election. Ninety-nine times ojt of a huadred right, was the best policy—truth was tho best policy, eithor in politics or out of politics. To-day there was the contest in the state of New York. Hill and Cleveland meant nothing more or less than silver and anti-silver. That was all there was in it. The fight was on. It would be bitter and severe. But be trusted in God that in the end the people would win. Mr. Harter of Ohio—May I ask one ques tion! Do you mean to say tbat Sonutor Hill is in favor of free coinage? [Laughter. ] Mr. Livingston—Well, now [laughter], I want to ask you this question: Will you vote for Senator IIUI if be is? [Laughter.] "No, sir,” replied Mr. Harter, with em phasis, amid appliuse and laughter. “Now. gentlemen.” resumed Mr. Living ston, "there is a demonstration of just what I said. All the democracy that is In that crowd means Cleveland against tbe world or a republican or a mugwump. You can take them in your hand aud squeeze the whole of them and you cannot squeeze an ounce of democracy out of the whole crowd. [Laughter.] HEMPHILL FAVORH THE BILL. Mr. Hemphill of South Carolina favored tbe Utl because he wae opposed to lbs ptvs- ent law. That law required the storing in the treasury of silver coin. He believed that the proposed legislation was far prefer able to the existing law. No nation on earth could bold within its vaults one of the metals from which the money of civilized nations was made. He advocated an amendment which would provide that the silver dollar should be com posed of 525 grains instead of 4l2[g so as to make the market value of gold and ■liver practically equal. If that, amend ment was voted down he would offer an amendment authorizing the Secretary of tbe Treasury, at the end of three months from tbe approval of the bill, to increase or diminish the amount of bullion put into the silver dollar, so that it would equal in value tbe amount of gold put into a gold dollar. The House then adjourned. SILVER AND THE TREASURY. Secretary Foster Sends Information to tbe Senate. Washington, March 23. —In answer to a resolution calling upon him to inform the Senate of the amount of treasury notes is sued under the provisions of the act of July 14 1890, the amount of silver dollars coined and the amount of silver bullion iu the treasury purchased under the provisions of that act. aud also whether the silver dollars coined ware available for the expenses of the government, Secretary Foster to-day sent a letter to the Senate, giving the In formation asked for. Secretary Foster says that there were purchased and received at the mints under the act of July 14, 1890, from the date when it took effeot, Aug. 13, 1890, to and inoluding Feb. 29,1892, 84,500,363 fine ounces of silver bullion at a cost of $85,467,892, in payment of whioh there was issued within that period treasury notes authorized by tbe act to the amount of $85,236,312, leaving a balance of $231,680, wbicn represents tbe amount of purchases of bqjllon made at tha mints of San Fran cisco, New Orleans and Carson City, late In February, reports of which reached the de partment after the olose of that month. THE COINAGE. There were coined, says the letter, under the aot within the period mentioned, 28,939,475 standard dollars with a wantage of $28,935 not yet adjusted; and there were held in the treasury at the close of business on Fob. 28, 62,089,503 fine oimoes of silver, which cost $61,487,330. Of the silver dollars coined under tbe provisions of that aot, $24,001,626 are bsld intbe treasury for tbe redemption of treasury notes; $4,380,000 have been covered into the treasury ou acoount of seigniorage and so have become available for the ordinary expenses of tbe government, and the remainder, $557,848, are held in the treasury unoovered, await ing adjustment of the seigniorage account. When this last mentioned amount or so much of It as may be ascertained to be net seigniorage is oovered into tue treasury, tbe amount so covered will also be available, Bays tbe letter, for the ordinary exp eases of the government. Respecting redemptions or exchanges of silver dollars, Secretary Foster says that tbe department has not redeemed silver dollars or stiver certificates in gold or gold certificates; nor has it exchanged silver dollars or certificates for gold or gold cer lfleates. Concluding, Secretary Foster says that silver dollars and silver certifi cates that are received for publio dues are used freely in tbe discharge of all govern ment obligations. ALLEGHENY ROBBED. A Deficiency of $350,197 Discovered in the oity’s Accounts. Pittsburg, Pa., Mareh 23.—R. H. Gill ford, chairman of the auditing committee of the Allegheny counoil, to-night reported the result of an investigation into the ac counts of the oity officials. The report says the aooounts of the mayor’s office, market dork, superintendent of the water works and health olfioe have been audited, and a deficiency discovered of $350,19720. In many Instances It was not possible to find any acoount books whatever, aud in a few Instances the auditors were able to find clews whioh enabled them to trace Items which should have been inoluded in the regular acoount books, and in almost every instance it was found that the city had beea defrauded. The chairman places the responsibility on the city controller for not keeping a closer watch on the other officials, and character izes the disclosures as a shameless record of dishonesty, inefficiency and disregard of duty. The investigations, so far, have re sulted in the imprisonment of Mayor Wy man and Market Clerk Hastiugs for em bezzlement. MILLS’ ELECTION. Tho Two Houses of tho Legislature Meet in Joint Session. Austin, Tex., March 23.—At 13 o’clook to-day the two houses of the legislature met in joint session in the hall of the lower house to canvass the vote for United States senator. The record of the House vote in detail was read and then tbat of the Senate. Speaker Milner then announced the vote as follows: Mills 123 Bailey 4 Chilton , 3 Gibbs 2 Culbersdn ..... 1 Jones j Sayers ’ 1 Speaker Milner then said: "I declare Roger Q. Mills duly and constitutionally elected United States senator to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John H. Reagan.” The announcement was followed by prolonged applause, alter which the joint session dissolved. A FIGHT >Y IT ii OYSTERMBN. Several Wounded The Poachers Finally Put to Flight. Richmond, Va., March 23.—A special to the Despatch from Tasley, Acoomac county, describes a pitohed battle between about seventy Tangier Island oystermen and the Virginia oyster police boat Tangier, which was protecting some dredges on the oyster reservation. The captain of one of the protected dredgers, Mills, was shot by the Tangier islanders and several oystermen were wounded. Tbe islanders challenged tbe battle and forced the fight until driven off by grape and canister from the police boat. The entire population of Tangier Island, about 1,000 in number, watched the fight from the beach, G. a. R. Vets Invited to Richmond. Richmond, Va., March 23.—At a meet ing of Lee camp of confederate veterans last night a resolution was unanimously adopted inviting tbe members of the G. A. IL during their national enoampment at Washington to visit this city, assuring them a hearty welcome on the part of the people generally, aud the 00.. federate soldiers es pecially. Two Fights With Garzatt-e. San Antonio, Tex., March 83,—Two lights between parties of raagurs and sup posed Garza men occurred within three miles of Ban Antonio yesterday. A man uornrd Doughty, aoting as a guide for one party of rangers, was killed. In the tsoond tight one of tbe sheriff’s posse was sbt in the thigh and two of tbs robbers wars killed. STANDING BY THE SEALS. SALISBURY'S LAST NOTE AS FULL OF BLUFF AS HIS OTHERS. President Hrrrison Writes Him a Spir ited Reply—The Army to Be Oalled on to IProtect the Seals if Necessary. The Senators Indorse the President's Bold Btand. Washington, March 23.—Among the President’s earliest callers this morning were Gen. John W. Foster, who is assisting him in the Bering sea negotiations, and Mentor Sherman, chairman of the Senate committee on foreign relations. One of the questions under consideration was the ad visability of the prompt transmission to the Senate of the correspondenoe that has passed between this country and Great Britain sinoe March Bin regard to the pro tection of tbe seal herds [lending a settle ment by arbitration of the jurisdictional rights of the United Rtatea in Bering sea. It is said that tbe attitude of Great Britain on this point will hare a most important bearing on tbe Sonate’s action on the pending treaty of arbitration. It is broadly inti mated that the implied disposition on Great Britain to resent any interference by this government with vessels flying tbe English flag engaged in pelagio seaiiug iu Benug sea wouldundoubtedly result in the rejec tion of the treaty in its present form. The corresqiondenoe consists, it is understood, of two notes, the first being Lord Salisbury's oabled note of March 19, and (he reply from the President, dated yesterday. Neither of the notes is of great length. The corre spondence was subiequently sent to the Senate. BEFORE THE HENATK. The President’s message transmitting Lord Salisbury's reply to the lost note from this government relative to tbe modus vlvendi wai laid before the Senate In execu tive session at 1 o’olook. Lord Ballsbury’s reply, as already stated, is a virtual reitera tion of his deolination to renew the modus vivendi on the same terms as existed last year. After half an hour’s dismission the correspondence was referred to tbe oommit tee on foreign relations and the doors were reoperiod. The correspondence was not made public. The President in bis letter announced that he had made a rejoinder to Lord Salisbury’* reply. Lord Salisbury’s note may lie described as a synopsis of the detailed reply to the state department note whioh is to follow by mall, His refusal to consent to a renewal of the modus vlvendi is accompanied with several counter propositions, the reading of which was received with ill-suppressed Irritation by the Senate. The general oharacter of tbe note is described as evasive and equivooa tieg. THE PRESIDENT’S REPLY. The President’s rejoinder was also trans mitted to the Senate. It is a pungent com munication, In which th? President broadly put in diplomatic language hints that Lord Salisbury has not met his overtures in a straightforward, businesslike manner. The President insists upon a renewal of the modus vivendi without reference to indanificant or irrelevant conditions, and closes his note with a stir ring assertion that if the government of Great Britain declines to assist in the pro tection of seals during the arbitration of the claims of the United States he will pro ceed to enforce the laws and exclude poach ers from Bering sea, if the military force of the United States is required to accomplish it. Tbe note oreated a sensation in tbe Sen ate. THE SITUATION GRAVE. The gravity of the case has led to a re newal of the strongest efforts of tbe senators to prevent the publio from being made acquainted with the facts until tbe corre spondence has progressed further. There was no expression of opinion by the President in bis letter of transmittal, but this was nut needed In view of the clearly defined posi tion assumed by him in his rejoinder to Lord Salisbury, which appeared to meet with the unanimous approval of tbe sen ators, although the debate itself was too short to disclose officially their standing. Although there has been nothing in the nature of a direct vote upon the treaty of arbitration, aud there is well defined oppo sition to it as a surrender by tho United States of her rights acquired by treaty from Russia, it can be stated tbat the treaty will soon be ratified by tbe Sen ate, tut a resolution will impany It, reciting tbat there does not appear to be any sufficient reason for the abatement by tbe United States of its claim to jurisdic tion pending arbitration, and authorizing tbe President to use all the force of tbe mil itary of the government to secure protec tion of the rights of the United States. SALISBURY’S DIPLOMATIC PHRASE. As intimated above Lord Salisbury does not in his note refuse to enter into a modus vivendi of some kind; he does not flatly refuse to be a party to some arrangement; but, diplomatically speaking, he "fails to consent” to the proposition made by this government. Inasmuch as the Senate has refused to make the correspondence public, it is exceeding difficult to get a clear state ment of tbe exact idea intended to be con veyed in the diplomatic language of such correspondence os that laid before the Senate to-day, but undoubtedly tbe Impression generally oonveyed by reading it wus tbat Lord Salisbury has refused to renew the arrangement of last year. It can be stated that there Is nothing in the nature of an ultimatum on the part of either government Id tbe correspondence laid be fore the Senate. Tbe correspondence is still considered incomplete and the way is still open for further letter-writing in the line of an endeavor on the part of each side to show how far the other party is m the wrong. Underlying the formal phrase ology of diplomacy, however, is au evident intention on the part of this government to bring tbe matter to the point of definite determination before the sealing season is far advanced, and the President’* reply, it is thought, will greatly tend to tbe attain ment of the desired result. ENGLAND SENDS A FLEET. London, March 23. — The Graphic says: “The disuatch of a portion of the Pacific squadron northward shows that Lord Salis bury Is not disposed to recode from his posi tion. Happily there is plenty of time for further negotiations. President Harrison has apparently taken Lord Salisbury’s complaisance for irresolution, hence his swaggering rejoinder. A little more cor respondence and reflection will show him bis mistake.” ELECTION GLAMOR. London, March 24, 3 a. m,—Tho Morn ing Dost says: "It is impossible lo believe that whin the glamor of the elections is removed from tho eyes of American states men they will fail to reoognizs the inherent fail new, of Lord Salisbury’s proposition. Ho small a matter cannot produoe serious friction between two great nations allied by blood.” The Daily Newt lays; “If statesmen and diplomats on both side* do not soon find nine modus vivendi, arbitration will me>a be no more than one of those good inten tion* • certain plane is paved with. As ap psaraucus go. President Harrison will not necessarily score at all points.” Tin, ChrunleU says: "Tbs Boring seaoate looks ilk* a dangsrou* dsad-iuafc. Through out tha tedious irritation of tha .liaoussion it has been apparent that Amerloa's view of arbitration meant that England should be persuaded or coerced into full acceptance of the American demands. The diplomacy of Presideut Harrison's reply ■■ hard lo grasp, particularly coming from a nation that, however young in the usage* of diplomacy, is at least a great profaned admirer of peace.” The Telegraph says: "We hesitate to qualify the news as alarming, but it is oer tainly troublesome and disquieting. We can only hope that President Harrison’s threat of military coercion is inacourately reported. It is always well to remember in dealing with American bravado of this description tbat the elec tsons J afford an excuse of pallia tion of language whioh in (quieter times would be considered outrageous. Still we canuot abstain from the hope that tha expression is exaggerated. Neither oon we imagine that such an attempt to embroil the nations will assist President Harrison m the election. He may rest assured that we are not likoly to believe in the virtues of tbe modus viveudl because rendered at tbe sword’s point. Therefore we are glad to see the I’aciflo squadron going northward. History has always proved that tbe easiest mode of securing peace is to show prompti tude iu preparing for defense.” * VON OAPRIVI’S retirement. Oount Eulenberg Mentioned as His Probable Successor. Berlin, March 23.—1 tls reported in par liamentary circles that Chancellor von Caprivl visited Emperor William in order to reoommend Count Eulenberg for the chancellorship as well as the Prussian premiership. It is gener ally believed that Chancellor von Caprivi's final retirement is only a matter of a few mouths. The entire press opposes separation of tho functions of the chancellorship and the Prussian premier -1 ship, 'and declares that Chancellor von Caprivishould either retain the dual posi tion or retire altogether. Count Kulenberg is capable and eloquent and is not likely to remain a mere nominee of Chanoellor von Caprivi. He would probably exert as premier a personal Influence that would In evitably lead to friction with tbe chan oellor. ILLNESS OF TRB KAISER, Bmphysoms of the Lungs Alleged by tbe Tageblatt. Rerun,March 23.—The Tageblatt reports that Emperor William is suffering from emphysema of the lungs. This malady, say* the Tageblatt , was contracted on hi* recent excursion to Grunewaldina, and pro duced a slight asthmatic attack, and his doctors at ouoe advised him to go to the thinner atmosphere of llubertustock in or der to secure prompt recovery. No other paper, in discussing the emperor’s case, mentions emphysema. Nothing is known iu well Informed quarters confirma tory of the Tagrblatt't report. According to an official statement, the emperor is suffering from au attack of a kind Of in fluenza and needs fresh ulr and quietude. The emperor is not even attended by his body physician, l)r. Ixiuthold, the latter's assistant being the only (footer in attend ance. EIGHT HOURS KNOCKED OUT. Tbe House of Commons Defeat tbe Bill of tbe Miners. London, Maroh 23.—1 u the House of Commons to-day, Robert Leake (liberal) moved second reading of the miners’ 8-hour bill. He said the measure would affeot 531,000 men. AU the miners in' Great Britain, excepting those in Durham and Northumberland, favored the bilL Tbe bill was rejected by a vote of 272 to 160. The majority Inoluded all the ministers, the bulk of the conservatives, and among the liberals, Mr. Morley, Sir Lyon Playfair, Messrs. Haldane. Illlngswortb and Howell and Sir John Lubbock. In the minority were Lord Randolph Ohurohlli, Sir Will iam Hsrcourt, Sir Charles Russell, Jesse Coiling! aud Joseph Chamberlain. A BOMB FACTORY. A Startling Discovery In the Bt. Danis Quarter at Paris. Paris, March 23. —Tho police to-day dis covered a regular bomb factory iu an an archist dwelling situated in the St. Denis quarter. AU the articles used iu the manu iacture of explosive machines were found, including a quantity of dynamite and powder, and a number of fuses and bomb casings. Several arrests in connection with tbe soizure of explosives have been made, and it is supposed that tbe persons taken into custody are tho perpetra tors of tbe dynamite outrages which have oocurred recently. Queensland's Unproductive Railways. Brisbane, Queensland, Maroh 23. Tho authorities to-day relloved 500 destitute persons. In an interview the mayor said that the distress in Queensland, which is widespread and severe, ie greatly due to the reckless expenditure of unproductive rail ways and bad leadership in the recent strike. A majority of the people, be said, favored the government proposals for the introduction of Polynesian labor. Oporto’s Financial Panic. Lisbon, March 23.—The financial crisis in Oporto continues. Heveral banks have been embarrassed by depositors withdraw ing their money. Tbe government has asked the Bank of Portugal to assist tbroo banks tbat have suspended payment. The gov ernor. fearing an outbreak, has reinforced the Oporto garrison. Tbe Banoo Lusltano of Lisbon has obtained three months' mora torium. Prussia's Council. Berlin, March 23.— The report that Count Eulenberg had been offered and accepted the presidency of the Prussian council is confirmed. Chancellor von Caprivi gave an official dinner this evening. Among tbe guests were several members of the cabinet, the principal diplomatic representatives aud some members of the Buudesrath. Tbe Rducution Bill Abandoned. Rome, March 23.— U is reported at the Vatican that the German emperor has abandoned the Prussian socturian education bill because the pope declined to make Bishop Eopp a cardinal. It is feared that tho crisis will lead to a reuewal of the kulturkampf. Father and Son Drowned. . Tullahoma, Tenx., March 23.—A north bound Nashville,Chattano ga and St. Louis road train to-day threw J. W. Alliston and bis two children, Charles and Bessie, Into Garrison river from a bridge. Thu girl was rescued some distance down tbe stieam, but tbe man aud boy were drowned, and their bodies have not been recovered. Field to Qo to Buffalo. New Yore, March 23.—Judge Van Brunt decided this morning to send Edward M, Field to tbe Buffalo state hospital. i DAILY, $lO A YEAR. I . •< 5 CENTS A COPY. V I WKEKLY,SI. A YEAR. I MEXICO A.VD FREE TRADE A RECIPROCITY ARRANGEMENT COMING SOON. It Will Be Upon Much Broader Line* Iban Those of tbe Clause in tbe McKinley Act—Agriculture the Most Promising Field for Profit In the Sister Republic. Washington, March 23—Reciprocity with Maxioo is likely to be arranged in the near future upon much broader lines than those of tbe reciprocity section of tbe Mo Kinley act. The Mexican government, in response to proposition* from the United States, offered oonoeasions Iu return for tbs trifling favors granted in the MoKinley act whioh were very favorably regarded at tbe state department. Secretary Blaine, how ever, hung up the whole matter because ha thought it better to await an opportunity for reciprocity upon broad lines than to take it in tld bita.£Thi* is the existing situation in regard to the matter. Tbe Mexican gov ernment is not taking the initiative, because it does not oare to be again treated os It was whan the Grant-Romero treaty was nego tiated. The progressive party in Mexico, however, is warmly in favor of the broadest reciprocal relations with this oountry. and any proposition for a conference will be promptly accepted. favored BY DIAZ. President Diaz and the conservative party are declared by business men, who keep Informed on economic discussion* in the Mexioan cabinet, to be nearly ready to deolare themselves for absolute free trade across the Rio Grando. The thoughtful leaders have been studyiug tbe effects of such a system for some time. They realize tbat the abolition of custom houses would mean a serious loss of revenue, which Mexico would have to meet by imposing a, tax in a different direction. They are pre pared for this, and are working upon a plan which, in their opinion, will at onoe afford tho necessary revenue aud give new develop ment to the agricultural resources of the country. The proposition is being seriously discussed to levy a heavy tax upon all uncultivated land, upon mines and upon oity lots. This polioy will leave exempt from taxariou -laud under cultivation end will offer a direct premium to increasing the quantity of suoh land. Mexioan states men who have studied aloeely the indus trial possibilities of their oountry believe that her greatest future development lies along the line of agriculture rather than of mining or raising atook. The mining they regard as largely a speculative enterprise and the raising of stock ou subject to limi tations. Vart areas uncultivated. Vast area* of fertile land lie uncultivated all over the republic and if brought under the plow would make Mextoo one of the greatest farmlug countries of tbe world. The progressive leaders believe that in this field, along with a reasonable development of necessary manufactures, lies the future prosperity of Mexico. Such a system of taxation would aooomplish a political ob ject us well as au Industrial one. It would drive the absentee landlords, who revel in luxury in Fans or Madrid, from the amide proceeds of the cultivated fractions of their great estatea, to either increuse the area of cultivation or throw their lands upon the market. This evil of absentee landlords is a serious one in Mexico, and tbe absent landlords are in nearly all cases mem bers of the reactionary party, which wel oomed tha empires of Iturbide and Maxi milian and the Frenoh protectorate and re fuse to live at home under the government of tbe republic. A TRAIN RUN DOWN. Many Passengers Injured But No One Killed Outright. Cincinnati, 0., March 23.—An Ohio and Mississippi train from St. Louis, due here this morning, arrived severed hours late owing to a wreck at Odin, 111., where the Illinois Central crosses the Ohio end Mississi ppl. W bile the Ohio and Mississippi train was crossing the Illinois Central tracks a freight train on that road tore through it. carrying away the day coach and the frout end of a sleeper. There were seventeen passengers in tbe day coach, all of whom were injured, but none killed or fatally hurt. The engineer of the Illinois Central had tbe presence of mind to put out his fire and thus prevented a conflagration. The injured who were not able to travel were oared for at Odin, but most of them con tinued their journey. A LUNATIC IN A LEGISLATURE. Ho Puts tho Members to Flight ond Raises Cain. Jackson, Miss., March ‘23.— When the legislature was assembling yesterday a crazy man named Bryant took possession of the state bouse for au hour and ran things to suit himself. Several officers came to arrest him, but with a big knife iu eaoh hand he defied them and furiously cursed the legislature. He finally ran down tha steps and into the streets with hundreds of people, including legislators and state officials, fleeing before him. After getting out of the crowd three policemen knocked him down and landed him in Jail. He was recently discharged from an asylum as cured, but will be returned. An Exodus of Negroes. Mkmphis.Tknn.. Maroh 23.—A meeting was held last nlqnit in Zion hall by about 2,000 negroes, who passed resolutions con demning the lynching of Moss, Stewart and McDowell on March 9 as a foul and un justifiable murder and an outrage. Ne groes are leavlug this locality in large num bers for Oklahoma and other points, and • general exodus is apprehended. Colored Judges of Elections. Hiawatha, Kas., Maroh 23.—For the first time in tbe history of the city, and possibly for tbe first time in Kansas, colored men have bean appointed judges of elec tions. Mayor Brewster has selected four colored men, one from each ward, to serve on election boards. Canadian Pacific Strike Ended. Montreal, March 23.—Tha great strike .on the Canadian Pacific railway Is ended. AU the men are to ba reinstated at once and the wages in dispute are to bo referred to a 00m mi ttee from the Brotherhood of Lo comotive Engineers, who will decide what tbe men shall be paid. Grain Daalers Embarrassed. Memphis, March 23. —E. C. Buokhan & Cos., grain dealer* of this city, to-day filed a deed of trust to John K. Hpeed and Lewis Er e. Their liabilities are $106,363. Their assets, oousistiug mainly of wheat, corn, oats aud hay, amount to $56,280. Suicide of a Lawyer. Danville, Va.. March 23.—A private telegram from Mot Springs, Ark., states that liunry K. Barksdais, one of the most prominent lawysrs of DauvUls, suot and killed himself there to-dtqy,