Newspaper Page Text
1 the morning news.
established ISSO. - Incorporated ISBS
Esta j,h. ESTILL, President.
BRITISH HELD BACK BY RAIN.
r expected wefexer xvii.l
SOON ME IIEI.IEVUD.
mfgny British Soldiers in the Field
Hospitals —t'enr*liii> Ik Still Se
vere—Belle veil Tlint Muller and
XVarren Will Surely He Recalled
Xftcr the Censure Passed Upon
Them— warren lleported Recalled
Vlrendy— Foreigners in Boer Army.
1., colon. April 19, 4:10 a. m.—Heavy rains
)nl|l ..je the movements of the British col
umns.
Th. blockade at Wepener continues, al
though relief is near,
uirgi quantities of stores aro being
southward from Bloemfontein,
v'liih is a reversal of the course of
freight for the last six weeks. These
shipments are made necessary by the
rations in the southeastern part of the
Free State.
There are 2,000 sick in the field hos
piuih- most of the cases being of /dysen
tery ar.d enteric fever.
With the exception of these facts, the
embargo upon war intelligence is almost
complete. The special correspondents send
trivialities or statements which obscure
rp.htr than explain the situation, in their
efforts to prepare matter thut will pass
th- censor. Here and there a phrase in
dicates an expectancy that large things
are about to happen.
What is to be done In the cases Gens.
j ; „ h r ami Sir Charles Warren occupies
(v, i ybody's attention. The imptrs con
ui to comment earnestly upon I.ord
H-.-erts' censure of these commanders.
Ti,,-y ask If more errors ure not likely to
- car. together with fruitless waste of
I::,., in the event that men who have, been
and, ; ired incompetent by their superior
~.tini t to command 40,000 troops. It is
r „>w generally accepted that the govern
ment had a purpose in the publication
,f Ijord Roberts’ dispatch, and that the
recoil of Gen. Bulier and Gen. Warren
probably has been decided upon.
Foreign Volunteers.
According to Boer reports, there is a
ft .tdy flow of foreign volunteers to the
Transvaal. Heretofore those adventurers
! iv, been attached to the various com
mandoes. Now it is said they ure to be
formed into a special legion, with cott
tlueutal officers, and there is a rumor
tii.it the command will be given to a dis
tinguished French soldier, lately retired,
who is now In the Transvaal, or Is near
ing the end of the journey thither.
Presumably the officer referred to in
this report is Gen. DeNegrier, former
member of the French supreme council of
war, who was removed from the active
list last July by the Marquis de Gallif&t
as a disciplinary measure during the ex
citement arising from the Dreyfus court
martial.
BILLER SOW A FALLEN IDOL.
Cen. Warren Is Said to Have Been
Ordered Homo.
London, April 18, 1:55 p. m.— Lord Rob
erts’ criticisms of Gen. Bulier, Gen. War
ren and Col. Thorneycroft continue topics
o? ncule interest.
All the afternoon papers comment at
1 i h on the strictures of the Britlsn
commander-in-chief In South Africa, tak
ing the tame lines as the morning papers,
irai ng Lord Roberts for his frankness
and speculating upon what the publication
of the dispatches at the present moment
portends.
Some of them maintain there is nothing
for Gen. Bulier but to resign. The
St. James Gazette is particularly scath
ing- Referring to Gen. Bullcr’s report.
It says:
‘’Never in the history of armies did it
hifc—n that generals scribbled their con
i' ions of failure and defeat, of useless
e -ebs of men, and of discredit to the flag
- ' manner which suggests n careful sc
-1 ai fi.-m the forced jocularity of the
h '-ny man, the slangy chatter of the
o - ' woman, nnd the gabble of the
sirwl.i! - r-aorn late in the evening.
I’d' be declares that a “more pltlab'e
t orl of indecision, in plan and confu
f in execution we hive seldom read,’’
® n< * 1 1 that what little reputation Gen,
'i' i* bad left has been scattered to the
winds.
■’ r " ticnily no developments have been
r ' l T "1 if) far in to-day’s South African
A dispatch from WarTenton, dated
‘. : .,:’ lay ' April 17, says:
: i:g the Bo rs lu] V making n w
! we exploded lyddite shells, fol
•" ' up these with the Maxims. The
' tmbulance was afterwards ob
f ”■ I on the spot.”
!" i-i.q-ntly stated In military c r
' "'"i Lieut. Gen. Sir Charles Warren,
’"'rounder of the Fifth division of the
‘ ' |! i Africjiiv field force, has iv en ordere 1
■> i • urn home, u is said that a tKiremp
‘"lcr for Gen. Warren’s teiurn was
1 1 ’ South Africa this morning. Th
"Hi - declined to give any informa
'•oa on the subject.
< iIOKTOX FI T OX HALF PAY.
11 '■ ' "inmonili il at ttplon Kop After
hundmitc Wan Wouiulrd.
•'"in, April 18.—Col. Crofton, who
inmand nt Splcn kop from th
" '" n - Woodgate was wounded until
1 Hi'-rneycroft was appointed to the
nnd wliose heliograph messages
Warren caused Gen. Bulier to
' " 1 Tliorn* yeroft to the command,
"1 on half pay to-day.
Information received from
, v to-day is to the effect that
” t' l ' Is leaving flout It Africa rids
tr j, ' 1 " ‘time command of u local dls
* CAM IUIH,
• Lad Twenty Killed nnd 1(10
Wounded nt Mepener.
" April 17.—C01. Dulgqty'a casual
hi ban been besieged at Wepe-
L) < n twenty killed and ioo
t 1 The Boer losses urc reported
■ n lonrl ii-r.ibly heavier.
11 gilt attack on April 12 the
11 f t on tho held, where they
h't buried.
' <'onfl|) • of oidnlon among
••omit want to aitiM k again.
, i* lur* tii do so. Litsultury
' "ting and "sniping" continue,
1., i ‘"* ilalng, which alarms ilp
'tho me ikiw ou both aide* of lit
river, and might be cut off If the stream
was to become flooded.
Five Boer guns are believed to be dis
abled.
BRITISH STILL SURROUNDED.
They Are Entrenched nt VVepener In
Boer Fashion.
Pretoria, April 17.—The latest official re
ports from the Orange Free State to the
effect that Gen. DeWet is still surround
ing Brabant’s (Dalgety’s?’ forces, though
the British are strongly entrenched in
Boer fashion, indicating that they are col
onials.
Commandant Fronemann reports that
he chased 401 troops across the river in
the direction of Allwal North, capturing
several prisoners.
It Is said that Bethulie bridge has been
blown u.
EX. CHERMSIDE'S ADVANCE.
Took n Position Which the litters
Hail Just Evacuated.
London, April 19.—The Bloemfontein
correspondent of the Times, telegraphing
Wednesday, says:
“A correspondent with Gen. Chermside
reports that the Third Division has ad
vanced eight miles east of Reddersberg
and gone into camp where the Irish Rifles
surrendered. Four hundred Boers had
just evacuated the position. Gen. Cherm
side had no further contact with the
Boers.”
PREPARING FOR A RETREAT.
Iloers Are Sabi to Be Looking To
ward Swaziland.
London, April 19.—The Morning Post
lias the following from Bloemfontein,
dated Tuesday:
In view of the advisability of a retreat
through Swaziland, emissaries of the
Boers are now endeavoring to purchase
secret information concerning caverns in
the Greystone country, which are only
knawn to the natives with the object of
accumulating provisions and ammunition.
Large quantities of British forage and
stores were dispatched to the south yes
terday.
TORE OFF RED CROSS MADGES.
Chicago Ainl.nlnnce Corps Offered
Mausers at Pretoria.
London, April 19.—According to a dis
patch to the Daly Mall from Lorenzo
Marquez, nearly half the members of the
Chicago ambu ance corps, when offered
Mausers on their arrival at Pretoria, tore
off their Red Cross badges.
Adelbert S. Hay, United States consul,
notified the Transvaal government that he
must report the circurnstanoa to Wash
ington.
OFFERED MONEY TO PORTUGAL.
Transvaal’s Generosity AVns Cour
teously licel in ed.
Pretoria, April 18.—As soon as the Berne
award .in the Delagoa Bay Rail
way arbitration was published, the
Transvaal government offered to
lend Portugal the amount she
was condemned to pay, $5,(X)0,C00, which,
however, was courteously declined, the
statement being made that the money was
already provided.
The government is receiving many me
morials from burghers on the subject of
sending the Boer prisoners to St. Helena
and will formally protest to Great Brit
ain on the subject.
Secretary of State Reitz says the Trans
vaal government is not taking any resolu
tion regarding the destruction cf the
mines.
Moors After Carrington.
London, April 19.—'The Lorenzo Marquez
corn si>ondent of the Dally Mail, te.e
graphing Wednesday, stys:
“Two hur.dr and and fifty Poets started
to-day from WaUrval Onder, marching
through the Zoufpaneberg district, to in
tercept Gen. Carrington’s force.”
Commissions for Canadians.
Ottawa, Oht.. April 18.—The Imperial
government has decided to give twenty
four out of the forty-four conimis: lons to
lie granted to Cantedlnns In tho regular
army to officers ar.d non-commissioned
officers serving in South Africa.
tied l P BY FREIGHT WRECK.
Railroads 5n Mississippi Are in Great
Trouble.
Jackson. Miss., April 18.—The Illino's
Central managed to get a few of the reg
ular a”d fr ight trains through Jackson
this afterno n. bu.t it Is again tled’up by
a 11 e glu wiv k cau-e lby a truck slide
two milts south of the city, and it is not
likely that traffic can be resumed before
to-morrow.
Thd Alaliama and Vicksburg road Is still
crippled by the high stage of Pearl river,
about three mtb-3 of track being sub- 1
merged.
The annual session of the Slate Medical
Association, which was to have convened
in Meridian to-day, has been postponed
on account of the.lnability of members to
reach that city.
COL. PETTIT < ol ItTM AHTI ALED.
Said to Have Handed liter n Prisoner
to ills Death.
New York, April 18.—A dispatch fiom
Manila announces that Pol. James 8. Pet
tit, of the Thirty-Fir.-A Volunteers, in com
mand nt Zamboanga, hus len court
martialed for handing a prisoner of war
ov. r to President M dell of Zamlgtunga,
win# killed the prisoner Immediately, wl li
on t a trial. ,
IV,til Is the officer with whom Lieut.
Col Webl) Hayes, who recently re
clgned Is sold to hav, quarreled, owing t .
I’, lilts dickering with a Mono dnio lor
the right to land tro. pr and compelling bis
men to submit to Indignities Mom the
natives. .
Want Confession Revised.
Irwin, Pa., April I*.-Hlilrvllle Proeby
l, ry, one of the large*! bodies of 1 resby
ter ana In l'ciinaylvanla, t -day unani
mously adopted at overture to tic g. n
,.ral assembly, asking for a revision of
the confession of latih.
Hut n nu's lion ill of Trade.
Havana. April 1* At to-day s meeting
of t lie Havana Hoard of Trad' It was do.
I 1d b) appoint a * liable |s r nto fi
le soot (ho tiitcicats of the hoard In Wash'
tngluu.
SAVANNAH. GA., THURSDAY. APRIL 19. 1900.
COLLECTOR TOLBERT FIRED.
RESULT OF CHARLESTON CISTOM
HOI SE THOI RLE.
Ik 1 **nnl Stornpe of Liquorn tlir Cnum*
of Ills DitimihNnl ami the Appoint
ment of Robert R. Wallace to Suo
i eeed Him—Ti !>ert Threatens to
**ive tlie Republican*
Wallace Will Probably Dismiss
Deputy Collector.
Washington., April 18.--Collector John
R. Tolbert, of the port of Charleston, has
been dismissed from the public service
upon the recommendation of Secretary
Gage, and Robert M. Wallace of Sum
ter, has been appointed to preside over
the Charleston Custom House.
The action of Secretary Gage was bas and
upon the retort of the special agent who
investigated the recent scaneTal In the
Custom House in violation of the disp n
s-ary laws of the state. The administration
of Tolbert was severely condemned and
he could not save his oflicial scalp, al
though he called to his relief all his state
and outside jolitical influence.
It is understood a general overhauling
of the present force in the Charleston
Custom House will follow the confirm i
tion of Mr. Wallace, whose nomination
was sent to the Senate to-day.
Tolbert and his friends are very indig
nant at the way in which he has been
treated by the President, and he threat ns
to make -trouble for the administration in
the South Carolina Republican Delegation
to the Philadelphia Convention.
It seems that Tolbert does not have as
much influence in the Palmetto state as
he claims, and he has been steadily losing
ground a-t Republican headquarters, al
though he did not appear to realize the
fact until he was summarily fired out cf
his snug berth in the Charleston Custom
House, a position he seems to have be n
entirely unfitted for.
The apiK>iniment of Mr. Wallace was
something of a surprise as it was believed
that the. change would not take place for
several weeks.
The findings against Toltx ri were so
damaging and the pressuie for Mr. Wal
lace’s appointment so strong that ih *
President to-day decided to make ihe
change a-t once. It is understood tin rj
will be* no serious opposition’ to tlie confir
ms tion of Mr. Wallace.
Wallace, it is said, will dismiss the depu
ty collector and at least one janitor, and
possibly others, who are alleged to have
had a hand in the storing of the liquor.
The clerks who are presumably innocent
of wrong doing, will not be disturbed.
H.ICKCTT TO SrCCKKD ALLEN.
0 *
Wallace to Sncoeeil Tollicrt ns
Charleston’s Collector.
■Washington, April 18.—The President to
day sent the following nominations to the
Senate:
Frank W. Hackett of New Hampshire,
to he assistant s.eratary of the navy;
Robert M. Wallace, collector of customs
at Charleston, S. C.
First Lieutenant S. D. Sturgis, Sixth
Artillery, to be a captain.
HOW CHARLESTON VIEWS IT.
Removal of Tolliert Dill Not Cause
Much Surprise.
Charleston, S. C., April 18.—News of tho
removal by the President of John R. Tol
bert, collector of the port of Charleston,
caused little surprise here.
April 1, a special agent of ihe treasury
department, accompanied by several dis
pensary constables, searched the custom
house for contraband liquor. Twenty
nine 30-gallon casks were found, nnd evi
dence showed the liquor had In-en dumped
Into the drain. The case against the col
lector was strong, and upon the report of
the special agent, Tolbert was removed
and R. M. Wallace of Sumter, nominated
for the position.
Wallace Is a Confederate veteran and It
well thought of here, notwithstanding his
streng Republican sentiments.
FLOOD DAMAGE IS EXTENSIVE.
More Destructive in Mississippi Than
First Thought.
Jackson, Miss., April 18.—Belated dis
patches from several sections of this state
indicate that the three-days’ flood has
caused damage greatly In excess of the
first estimates, especially to growing
crops.
Many truck plantations are still under
water and will be almost completely de
stroyed, unless the waters soon recede.
Tlie Illinois Central is again tied up by
a freight train, iwhlch tumbled off the
track just below this city this morning,
nnd Ihe Alabama' and Vicksburg Railroad
Is si 111 tied up at Bakers creek and Pearl
river. The Natchez division of the Ya
zoo and Mississippi Valley road will not
be able to resume regular truffle for sev
eral days on account of missing bridges.
SITUATION AT MERIDIAN.
Almost All Trains There Are Aunnll
eil Indefinitely.
Meridian, Miss , April 18 —The flood sit
uation In tilts vicinity remains unchanged
as to railroad traffic. Trains with the ex
ception cf the Mobile and Ohio, north,
icmaln annu lied Indefinitely. Wires are
down at stations where tra'ns are, tied
up, and the extefct of wash
outs Is unknown.
Laurel, a town on the Northeastern
road, Is reported completely submerged.
The larger streams throughout the state
continue to rise. The bodies of five flood
victims were recovered this morning anil
the starch for others continues.
Trains tn Run Tii-nlght.
Mobile, Ala., April 18.—Through trains
are not yet moving on Ihe lower division
of the Mobile and Ohio, but will start to
morrow night. An accommodation train
was run to-day from Mobile to Waynes
boro, Miss., eighty-two miles distant.
Week's I’lague Hi-eoril In Jndln.
Hlmla. April 18.—The deaths from plague
throughout India during the past week
slightly decreased In number, but the ug
girgate U still upward of 4.is<).
I’lugur **• He’d Sen Parts.
Cairo, ApH I*.—The bubonic plague Is
rtqsMte.l to have mod Its nppearsuug at
several iKrits OU tho ited Heu.
LOOKS LIKE WAR IN THE EAST.
Probability of an Early ClnsU Be
tween Russia and Japan.
Yokohama, March 31, via San Francis
co, April 18.—If the quick and steady
dispatch of telegrams from Korea means
aught of a really serious nature, the in
ference w'ould be that Japan and Russia
are on the verge of war.
Outwardly, however, there la absolute
culm. The present opinion of the commu
nity seems to be that, as the conflict t
inevitable, the sooner it occurs, the bet
ter it will be for Japan, the latter with her
great fleet, far superior to that of her
enemy in those waters, would make short
work of Russia's naval force, and com
mand the situation for the lime at leust,
with all the advantages which an added
prestige would confer.
Russia demands a concession of terri
tory near Masampo, or as an alternative,
the island of Kotoku. Either would be a
standing menace to Japan, and one of the
hardest of diplomatic fights is now on at
Seoul.
It is deemed by many to be significant
that tho whereabouts and movements of
Japan’s fleet of sixty vessels are veiled
in the greatest secrecy. That they will
be within easy striking distance of the
“scene of war” may easily be surmised.
The report of the Yokohama Foreign
Chamber of Commerce, Just made public,
is notable, inasmuch as it calls attention
in a very forcible xvay to the causes of
Ihe decline of Japanese trade, attributing
it largely to the dishonesty of the na
tive business qnd uttering a warning note
against entailing a further loss of the na
tion's credit, if they are persisted in.
In business circles there Is a noticeably
stronir tendency toward the formation of
trusts. For a nation which has hereto
fore done business on the smallest and on
an almost purely individual basis, this
movement, if carried out, means nothing
less than an economic revolution of enor
mous significance.
—. ■
SAYS SITUATION IS GRAVE.
Minister Straus AA'ill Stay Home Un
til Turkey Fays Up.
New York, April 18.—The Herald to
morrow will say:
Ofear Straus, M’nister from the Unit
ed States to Turkey, is at his home in
this city. It is understood that he is to
remain here until the claim dispute Is
satkd.
When Mr. Straus found that the Sul
tan, despite his perscßa! pledge to pjy
toe claims which had. with Ms solir ta
tion. been reduced from more than $300,00)
to SIOO,OOO, was tent cn continuing his pol
icy of ue’ay he sent a dispatch to Wash
ington, relating the facts of the negotia
ti ns and offering his Jrnmediaie resigna
tion. The resignation, .it accepted, would
have been tantamouiiWto a direct chal
lenge to the Sublime Porte.
The administration was not prepared,
however, to take so positive a step, and
asked Mr. Straus to permit his resignation
to remain unacted upon and to retire from
Constantinople until the question might
be adjusted amicably or by firm pressure
upon the Sultan, It is understood, there
fore, that the absence of Minister Straus
from Constantinople is noilce to the Sul
tan of the displeasure of this country.
Mr. Straus says:
”1 regard the situation as grave unless
the Sultan promptly makes good his prom
ises.”
The Sultan has made the premise to pay
the indemnity claims three times. I con
ducted the negotiations through all the
stages of diplomacy and spared no effort
to avoid friction, but 1 impressed upon the
Sultan that our govarnment relied upon
the prompt fulfilment of his promises
which good faith, no less than good rela
tions, demanded.”
TO PROTECT COLORED VOTERS.
1811 Introduced in the Semite by Sen
ator Chandler.
Washington, April 18.—Senator Chandler
to-day introduced a bill "for the preven
tion of the denial or the abridgement of
the right of citizens of the United States
to vote on account of color.”
In presenting the bill Mr. Chandler said
that he did so by request, and was not
yet prepared to press Us consideration.
He said, however, that he had drawn the
hill himself.
It provides that ’any requirement of
any qualification for suffrage, prescribed
by any state on its constitution or laws
xvhleh directly or indirectly, by express
words or by any device or subterfuge Is
made to apply in its terms or in its oper
ation to the great body of the colored citi
zens of the state, while It is not made to
apply to the great body of the white olti
z n“. Is hereby declared to lie unconstitu
tional. null and inoperative.”
Other sections of the bill authorize col
ored citizens to vote, regardless of race
or of state restrictions. Colored citizens
are also given the right of action of dam
ages against registration boards refusing
them the right to j-egister.
NO Cl! ANGUS IN TITO RESULT.
Returns Slioiv Louisiana Is Solidly
Democratic.
New Orleans, April 18. —Today's returns
do not in any way change the result of
yesterday's election, as Indicated in last
night's dispatches.
W. W. Heart!, Democratic candidate for
Governor, appears to have carried every
parish in the slate, though In three or
four the vote was close. The sugar dis
trict Is almost solid for the Democratic
ticket and the Legislature Is almost solid
ly Democratic In both branches.
The constitutional amendment, author
izing the city of New Orleans to Issue $14,-
000, out) bonds for water, sewerage nnd
drainage Improvements, has carried over
whelmingly.
The total vote In New Orleans was 21,-
IMB, slightly over half of the registration.
Heard received 18,1X11; Cnffery, 2,647, and
Beams, 950. Heard’s majority la 14.450.
The returns received tn-day Indicate
that the Democrats carried their local
tickets throughout nearly every purlah in
the state.
I’D AVER 8 W A NTS TO IIE TRIED.
Ills Attorneys tn Ask (or an Arraign
ment nt Once.
Frankfort. Ky„ April 18.—Ex-Oov. John
Young Brown, leading counsel for Becre
tnry of Hlute Caleb Powers, who waa In
dicted yesterday an accessory to the mur
der of tfov. Goebel, srrived 10-ntght from
Isailaville, and It Is stated that h wilt to
morrow appear Ih fore Judge <'antrlU and
-k that I‘uwcra be arraigned Itumedl
nUly.
POLITICS IN HOUSE DEBATE.
ANIMATED BCI&XES lIETWKGN WIL
LIAMS AND GROSVENOR.
AliNaiNnlpplnn Askcfl tho Ohlonu if
tho I'roMldeiit 13 it il >ot Clinntffd
IH Minil on |*rto Ilicutt Tariff.
GroHvrnor D<klrol tho laMiie and
W illiam* l lmruod Df*fotrte*y.
Futile Effort to Defeat Au
v*l ('ontlnjfont Fund.
WanhinKton, April 18.—The debate on
the naval appropriation bill under the
five-minute rule to-day drifted into poli
tics, and for a gxxul portion of the af
ternoon members fought hammer and
tonps across the political aisle.
The partisan rancor ulmos* culminated
in a sensational scene between Mr. Gros
venor of Ohio, the champion of the ad
ministration, and Mr. Williams of Missis
sippi.
Some of the Democrats began worrying
Mr. Hawley of Texas by pointedly ask
ing if the President had not changed his
mind on the Porto Rican tariff question,
and Mr. Grosvenor finally threw himself
into 4he breach. Mr. Williams made an
interruption that drew a sharp rejoinder
from the Ohioan about the “unfair” ad
vantage taken by the Mlssisslppian. This
aroused the wrath of the latter, and after
Mr. Grosvenor had concluded, he made
a stinging response, in which he said par
liamentary language would no* permit
him to properly characterize Mr. Gros
venor’s offense. Later Mr. Grosvenor
disclaimed intentional affront, and there
the matter ended.
Some progress was made with the bill,
but most of ihe controverted points went
over. A motion to strike from the bill
the contingent fund of $500,000 for the navy
department was defeated. A point of or
der against 4he appropriation of S3SO,(MX)
for the new naval academy at Annapo
lis was pending when the House adjourn
ed.
Mr. Kitchln of North Carolina, a mem
ber of the Naval Committee, made a point
of order against the provision in the bill
appropriating $500,000 to he expended un
der the direction of the President 4o meet
unforeseen contingencies. The point was
overruled Ixy the Chair nnd Mr. Kitchln
appealed. The Chair was sustained, 91
to 70.
Mr. Kitchin then moved to etrike the
appropriation from the bill. Mr. Wheeler
of Kentucky supported <he motion.
Mr. Foss read from the hearing given
by the committee to Secretary Long, de
tailing the necessity for this emergency
appropriation. Mr. Foss thought present
circumstances warranted it.
XYllltnms and Grosvenor Spnr.
Mr. Williams asked Mr. Grosvenor. who
had Joined in 4he debate, If It was not
true that the President had changed hie
mind on the Porto Rican question.
There was considerable confusion, Mr.
Wheeler taking a hand in trying to force
the Ohioan. At last Mr. Grosvenor made
tin allusion to Mr. Williams’ method of
Interrupting him. which the latter re
sented with nn emphasis that portended
a personal quarrel on the floor, but Mr.
Williams Anally allowed Mr. Grosvenor
to proceed, reserving his reply until the
Ohioan had finished.
"Does the gentleman deny that the
President has changed hlr mind?” osk l
Mr. Kitchin. Democrat of North Carolina,
oddroesing Mr. Grosvenor.
"As soon as it became manifest to the
President that money ha-1 to he raised
In some way. and that the Ways and
Means Commit tee of this House had
brought In- a tariff bill providing for 15
per cert, or 25 per cent.,” replied Mr.
Giosvenor, "the President recognized the
right and power of this House to orig
inate that tariff bill. But I call the gen
tleman's a'tentlon to the fact that in
the message of the President, he gave no
sign or In dice dorr of when he desired th.it
that free trade measure should go Into
effect. We. by our vote, put It so that,
within the next sixty days, ninety -lays,
four months, any time after the organiza
tion of the civil government, the people
of Porto Rico can have free tra-le. The
President has signed It and thereby given
his approval to It.”
Did He UtiuiiKe Ills Mlntlf
“The gentleman rays the President bows
to the will of Congress.” interposed Mr.
Wheeler. “Tn tho. debate on the Po to
Rican question, when the gentleman ap
pealed to his colleagues to supiwrt the
pending bill, he charged it to be true that
the President of the United States was
then In accord with him.”
Mr. Grosvenor: ”1 say to now.”
Mr. Wheeler: “He changed his opinion—
Mr. Grosvenor: "1 say he did not change
his opinion In any material respect, he
simply changed from the original idea of
free trade to what was almost the condi
tion of free trade that we appended to
the measure. The country understands it
Congressman: after Congressman who
stood here In def< nae of the bill has bren
sent back here with.a unanimity almo t
unparalleled. The Republican party will
not lose tiny votes In the coming election
because of lt action on the Porto Rlran
bill. We are not holding back by the coat
tails of the world and hollering Whoa’
(Laughter.) We have got something
to show for our opinions. Wit
ness the splendid organizations of tho
government of the Hawaiian terri
tory. Look at the liberal, generous,
Christian laws that we have bestowed
lqion the people of Porto Rico. Look at
the fact that but for the lat erven 1 1 on of
a few men on this elde of the water we
should have extended the same benefits
of tho comrtltutlon, the same liberality of
American citizenship In embryo, at least,
to the people of the Philippine Islands.
But we would not consent that millions
and millions of Malays and all those peo
ple might come over herre and march into
our labor markets, and we will moke it
warm for you before Ihe campaign Is
over. (Laughter and applause on Ihe Re
publican side.) In due time, under the
wisdom of the Republican party, and un
der the blessings of Got! we will send lib
erty and equnl rights as rapidly as they
can comprehend them, to the [- <>i>h- of
Porto yico and to tin people of the Phil
ippine Island*. (Applause on the Repub.
Ilcan Bide.)
Mr. Williams’ Heply.
When Mr. Grosvenor took his S’at Mr.
Williams demanded an ottportutiily to re
ply, and time was accorded him.
"Mr. Chairman." said he, sis ttklng with
deliberation, "as a man grows old, he
lenrns something, I have learned some
thing to-day. I will never again, while
a member of the American Congress, un
dertake to usk a question of any nietn
lier on thin floor who Is not sufficiently
well versed In ih ordinary courtesies of
human Intercourse to be capable of re-
IConlliiu lon I fth Page.)
AD INTERIM OFFICERS.
l*rmf<leiit Culls Attention to tlie
Needs of Porto It 100.
Washington, April 18.—The President to
day sent to Congress the following mes
sage:
“Tho time remaining before the first of
May when the act of April 12. 190<), enti
tled ‘an act temporarily to provide rev
enue nnd a civil government for Porto
Rico, and for other purpose*,’ will take
effect appears to be insufficient, for tho
careful inquiry and consideration requisite
to the proper selection of suitable persons
to till the important civil offices provided
for by the. act. The power* of the pres
ent government will cease when tho act
takes effect, and some new authority will
be necessary to enable the officers- now
performing the various duties of civil
government in ihe island to continue the
performance of those duties until
the officers, who are to perform
similar duties under the new gov
ernment. shall have been appointed and
qualified. Thut authority cannot
well l>e given at present by temporary
appointments of tho existing officers to
positions under tlie act for the reason
that many of the existing officers are
officers of the army detailed to the per
formance of civil duties, and section 1222
of the Revised .Statutes would prevent
them from accepting such temporary ap
pointments under the penalty of losing
their commissions. Tho sclectlon of the new
olllcers and tho organization of the new
government under tin* act referred to will
bo accomplished with all practicable
speed, hut. in order that It may be prop
erly accomplished, I recommend the pass
age of u joint resolution (o obviate the
difficulty above stated.
“William McKinley.”
To carry into effect tlie President’stmes
sage, Mr. For a k or, chairman of the Porto
Rican (‘omniittce, Introduced this joint
ri solution:
“That until the officer to fill any office
provided for by the act of April 12, 1900,
entitled ‘An act temporarily <o provide
revenues and a civil government for Forth
Rico and for other purposes,’ shall have
been appointed and qualified, the officer
or officers now performing tlie civil duties
pertaining to such office may continue to
perform the same under the authority of
said act; and no officer of tlie army shall
lose his commission by reason thereof;
provided, that nothing herein contained
shall b* held to extend the time for the
appointment and qualification of any such
offl. * rs beyond the first day of August,
1900.”
On motion of Senator Foraker the reso
lution and the message were referred to
the Committee on Porto Rico.
N ICE PRESIDENTIAL TIMBER.
Morgan nnd Dlhers Mentioned by
Ceorgia Officials.
Atlanta, April IS.—A lively local Irttereßt
is being taken In the question of who
shall be the vice presidential nominee with
William J. Bryan.
One Democrat struck a popular chord
when he said that it would never do for
tho Democrats to go to Kansas City on
the question of a vice presidential candi
date as they were In 1896 in Chicago, when
Bewail was forced on the party. To that
end prominent Democrats aro speaking
out their choice.
The nurnl er of Southern names men
tioned by the state officials here, is slg
nlllcanf. Judge Turner of the prison corr
rnission said that he had not given the
matti r any thought and was at a loss to
suggest the most available man, but lie
did regard the mention of Dewey's name
in that Connection as absurdly ridiculous.
Gov. Candler favors Gorman of Mary
land, Controller General Wright was out
scoken for John T. Morgan of Alabama
and Attorney General Terrell thought
either Admiral Rchley or Bailey of Texas
woul I make good Umber.
In sugg Htl g Morgan. Controller Wrlyht
said no man In the Democratic party
would be more acceptable to the ultra
R> publicans than Morgan, if they wire
Compelled to have a Do me c rat.
Senator line n’s name has also been fa
voiabiy mentioned.
Tt It It G V IS IN MORE THOU RLE.
Powers XVIII Hardly Consent to In
erense la Dalles.
Constantinople, April 18. —The Porte to
day replied to the third of the collective
notes of tho Powers on the subject of an
Increase of 3 per cent. In duty. The note
announces the intention of the govern
ment to adhere to tho plan of increasing
the duties on account of the bad condi
tions of Turkish finances. $
The ambassadors have decided to address
another note to the Porte again stating
the objections to such an Increase with
out a previous understanldng with the
Powers.
The tenacity of the Porte threatens to
have serious results.
TO MAKE THEM BRIGADIERS,
Hill for Benefit of Gens. XVheelor,
Lee nnd Wilson.
Washington, April 19.—Representative
Grosvenor of Ohio to-day intradueed a
bill authorizing the President to appoint
three volunteer officers as brigadier gen
erals with a view to their retirement
The bill Is an administration measure,
having been pres*nt<d by Mr. Grosvenor
after conference with administration of
ficials and at their request. It is designed
to benefit Gen. Joseph Wheeler, Gen.
Fltzhugh Ijff and Gen, James H. Wilson,
all of them volunteer officers, who by tho
terms of the bill would bo given rank as
brigadier generals In the. regular service
and subsequently retired.
F/MIIEIE/LkMEM’ OF MILLIONS.
Serious Charge* Against Russian Na
val Olllcers.
Vienna, April 18.—Two Russian admirals
and forty-two other Russian naval offi
cers of high runk ure reported to have
been arrested at Sebastopol, owing to ir
regularities In tho construction depart
ment and to the, embezzlement of millions.
All the ships In liluek sea harbors are
being ordered to Sebastopol for Inspection.
To ibis imfyement Is attributable the re
cent rumor of Russian naval tnobid/.ution
In the lllu' k sea.
Thirteen Were Drowned.
Illngen, Atnll 18.—A l>tl on l>ourd of
which were (weifty numbers of the Outh
<> lc rtt wlen ts' Amochitlon, whlh crowd ng
tho river UhliiH yesterday fiom this place
to Itutdesheim, was rap-Ized, arid thirteen
of U* occupant* were drowned.
DAILY. A YE AIL
5 CENTS A COPY.
WEEKLY 2-TIME.S-A-WKKK.SI A TEA*
EASTERN DEMOCRATS MEET.
CLEVELAND’S LETTER OF REGRET
AND WORD OF WARNING.
SlinuLl Not Hi.11.l llopo of Success on
Miortcoinlnic* of Adversaries-^Wil
lett of Alnlinma Says There Is Dan.
rer Alieuii In llrynn anil Free Sil
ver—Silver Sliouhl lie Heleorated.
Campbell Hopes for Revival ot
Jefferson inn Democracy.
New York. April 18.—Tho Brooklyn Dem
ocratic Club gave a ffinner to-night at
the Germania Club, to commemorate tha
one hundred and (flfty-seventh anniver
sary of tho htrth of Thomas Jefferson.
A bout 350 persons were present.
At the guests table were ex-Gov. James
E. Campbell of Ohio, Joseph J. "Willett
of Alabama, nnd other prominent poihllct
men. Former President Grover Cleveland
sent a letter regretting his Inability to ba
present and expressing Ills opinion on lha
present Democracy. Tha leter was as
follows: 1
“Princeton, N. J., April 12, 1900.—T<
Lonls F. Bure hard. Dear Sir: I regret
that I am utmblo to accept your invi
tation to attend tho dinner to bo given bjl
the Brooklyn Ih mocrutlc Club on the 18th
Instant, to commemorate tho birth oj
Thomas Jefferson.
"When those who profess the Demo
cratic faith meet to celebrate the birth!
of Ihe man who first gave that faith a
distinct formulation, their pride In tha
achievements and triumphs of the party
which he founded should not entirely dis
place all thought of the present situation,
and the conditions which In the light of
experience appear to be essential to Its
success.
"Though I lie faults of the party In pow
er .aro many and though Its offenses
ugalnKt the political health nnd safety of
tho country are flagrant, these thihgs
should not encourage us to base an ex
pectation of success, and a hope for tha
restoration of wholepotne administration,
upon the shortcomings of our adversaries.
"We should too well understand their
ability to attach to their fortune* tho
powerful contingent of selfish Interests, to
place confident reliance upon the weak
ness which ought to be tho penalty of
their misdeeds.
Demm'ruoy's !Hrpniclh.
"Beside, none of us ran close our eyes
to the fact that the Democratic party la
only formidable In Its own strength. Its
power to win victories has always bo n
found to depend upon a sturdy and con
sistent adherence to Its time-honored
principles, which have proved sufficient
to mrct. every emergency of our national
life. Whatever success may have attend
ed a party of opportunity, with sails
spread for every transient breeze of pop
ular sentiment or excitement, experience
has abundantly demonstrated that Demo
cracy Is so constituted that It Is only
srtong when courageous In Ihe right, and
only victorious when its forces are mar
shalled under Its old and well organized
standards.
“Our principles are so simple, and they
acoord so well with the honest American
disposition which loves freedom and cares
for the public welfare, that they are easily
understood by the Democratic masses. As
a result of this there has never been a
time when false leadership of our party
ond a departure from simple Democratic
faith huvo not been quickly discovered,
and ruthlessly rebuked by listless sup
port, pronounced defection and bitter de
feat. These consequences have thus far
been so Inevitable that lessons they teach
cannot <• disregarded without Inviting
calamity.
Open to Kxninination.
"The hcalthfulness of our party may l
well be questioned 1 when it shrinks friers
such mi examination of Its position us
will enable It to avoid disaster, by keeping
In a course of safely, under the guidance
of true Democracy.
"Therefore, those who claim to be fol
lowers of Thomas Jefferson will fall to
discharge a solemn duty, if, lagthls time
of doubt and temptation, they neglect
such an examination, ond If this discloses
a tendency In party control to gubordlnata
the principles of pure democracy, and t<
distrust their conquering power, then con
ditions should not continue without a
brave and early Democratic protest.
"I have addressed these words to fellow
Democrats, In the full consciousness that
1 am far removed from any influence In
party management, but I love Ihe oliD
Democratic, party and I have written un
der ihe sanction of that ‘freedom ofi
speech' which Thomas Jefferson placed!
among the cardinal factors of our Demo
cratic creed. Yours very truly,
"Grover Cleveland."
A letter was also read from ex-Gov,
Boles of lowa, In which he advocated th
freedom of Cuba and Ihe giving up of the
Philippines.
Gen. Joseph Wheeler and Col. Norris
G Osborne, editor of the New Haven Pa
lladium. also sent letters of regret. Tbs
latter was to have responded to the toast
"Thomas Jefferson.”
Willett on Democracy.
Josep J. Wfllett of Alaboma responded
to the toast, "A Century of Democracy.”
He said. In part:
"Unquestionably the silver question
split our party open, and as tt ts settled
for at least four years to come, and we
eon never be united upon It, It should bo
relegated to the rear. We at least might
learn something from totur adversaries
who did not hesitate to drop the force bill
because they saw It was dividing their
party.
"Hut say thnt we relegate silver to the
rear anil agree tipm the plotform, how
about the candidate? It Is clear to my
mind we cannot nominate Mr. Bryan and
relegate the silver question. He Is the
very Incarnation of that question, and
the very name of Bryan throughout tho
wholo country means free silver, 16 to 1.
The man In this ease would be the plat
form. It is said the stars tn their courses
fought against Slsera, and truly the stars
have fought against Mr. Bryan since !*i.
Ills CnsMindra-llke prophesies have failed
of fulfillment, and the country was never
more prosperous than to-hiy. 'His ar
gument about the Indissoluble connection
lietween the prices of silver, cotton and
wlnat, now seems positively ludicrous in
the light of recent experience, while his
present cry of calamity and the horrors
of fulling price* awakes our genuine ond
unrestrained mirth when we see prosper
ity on every side und prices jumping into
the sky. It Is ns good as a show. How
i an you elect n man of whom the whole
commercial world Is making fun?
The Itruson for t linage.
"But I I mar some lb-publican say, 'lf
times ure so good why make any change?'
(Continued on tfevouth i'aga)