Carnesville advance. (Carnesville, Ga.) 1899-191?, February 23, 1900, Image 1

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CARNESVILLE ADVANCE. VOLUME II. SENATE PASSES FINANCIAL BILL Goes Through On Straight Party * Lines By Vote of 46 to 2D. INTERNATIONAL BIMETALLISM Provides For National Banks of $2,5,000 Capital In Towns of Not More Than 4,000. A Washington special says: The senate substitute for tho house cur¬ rency bill was passed by the senate Thursday by the decisive majority of 46 to 29. Prior to the final passage of tno bill amendments wire considered under the ten minute rule. Only two of these amendments were adopted. One offered by the finance commit¬ tee keeping the door open to interna¬ tional bimetallism and one by Mr. Nelson, of Minnesota, providing for national banks with $25,000 capital in towns of not more than 4,000 inhabit¬ ants. The votes taken on the various amendments offered were piactically along party lines. Mr. Chandler, Re¬ publican, of New Hampshire, voted for the bimetallic amendment, but against the bill. Mr. Caffery, Demo¬ crat, of Louisiana, and Mr. Lindsay, Democrat, of Kentucky, voted against the committee amendment, but for the bill. Mr. Kyle, of South Dakota, was the only senator who did not vote and was not paired. The free silver substitute offered by Mr. J ones, the leader of tho Democratic side, was defeated by a majority of 19, the vote being 47 to 2 Q . The bill as passed consists of ten sections. It provides that the dollar of 25 8-10 grains of gold, 9-10 fine, shall he the standard unit of value a d that all forms of United States money shall be maintained at a parity with it: that the treasury notes and greenbacks shall be redeemable in gold. The secretary of the treasury is to set apart a fund of $5,000,000 in gold for the redemption of these notes and to maintain this fund at a figure not below $100,000,000 he is empowered to sell bonds of the United States bearing interest at not exceeding threo per cent. THE PARITY PBOj/lSION3. It shall also be the duty of the sec¬ retin y of the treasury' as fast as stand¬ ard silver dollars are coined to retire equal amounts of treasury notes and to issue silver certificates against the silver coined. Under certain provis¬ ions, too, gold certificates shall he is¬ sued against the gold held in the treasury. No United States notes or treasury notes shall be issued in de¬ nominations of less than $10 and no silver certificates in denominations of more than $10. The secretary of the treasury is also authorized to refund the bonded debt of the United States in thirty-year bonds bearing 2 per cent, the princi¬ pal and interest of these to be paid in gold. Tho 2 per cent bonds shall be issued at not less than par. Any na¬ tional bank, by depositing with the United States bonds of this country, shall be permitted to issue circulating notes to the face value of tho bonds deposited, no bank being allowed to issue circulating notes in excess of the amount of paid-in capital stock of the bank. GREED FOR PENSIONS Tho Subject of Sensational Speech By Siins, of Tennessee. The feature of Wednesday in con¬ gress was a sensational pension speech by Representative Sims, of Tennessee, in which he charged the existence of a vitiated and debauched public senti¬ ment in the north with regard to pen¬ sions. The most sensational feature of his address was a comparison of pension legislation from the war with Spain from the two lections, and the proof by statistics that upon an average there are five times as many applica¬ tions for pensions from the northern and eastern states as from the south for like numbers and similar services. TO SUPREME COURT. Juilgo Taft Grants Appeal From His De« cision Against Taylor. Attorney H. B. Mackey, with ex- Governor Bradley and other attorneys interested in the Kentucky election contest cases, appeared Thursday be¬ fore United States Circuit Judge Wil¬ liam F. Taft at Cincinnati and filed notice of an appeal from the decision rendered by the latter on Wednesday afternoon. The petition for appeal merely states that Judge Taft erred in declaring that jurisdiction did uot lie in the federal court., and it was solely on this ground that the appeals were taken. 0 BRINSFIELD’S SHORTAGE. Expert Accountant Shows Amount to Be Cl. Over Six Thousand Dollars. Eci Saturday Alonzo Richardson, the was a^:pert accountant, completed work on nal branch of the" Jh e Uy Brinsfield, the ab- lanta, Ga., Wednesday n7te~H, of James T - The jury was out a little more he Man ‘ ■ am,hour, and returning at 5:50 o’ckxu/’ at announced that a verdict of not guilty^ Le had been agreed b 7 li 110 upon CASH OFFERED JUDGE Attempt Was Made to Up Mon¬ tana Justices. BIG SENSATION IN THE CLARK CASE lytate Supremo Court Judges Appear as Witnesses Before Senate Investi¬ gating Committee. Highly sensational testimony was developed Thursday in the investiga¬ tion by the senate committee on privi- logos and elections of the election of W. A. Clark to tho senate from Mon¬ tana. Judge Hunt, a Republican member of the Montana supreme court, testified that his family physician, Dr. Tracy, had made what he (the justice) regard¬ ed as attempts to have him consider a $100,000 bribe to favor Lawyer Well¬ come, one of Mr. Clark’s attorneys, in the disbarment proceedings against Wellcome. Tho witness did not, directly at least, connect Mr. Clark with this bribery proposition, so the latter’s counsel, ex-Senator Faulkner, moved to strike the whole testimony from the record, but did not succeed. Witness said he did not make the matter pub¬ lic because he felt too much humiliat¬ ed over the proposition and also be¬ lieved that Dr. Tracey did not realize the enormity of his offense. Tho committee held a night session at which Justice Piggott, also of tho Montana sepreme court, testified con¬ cerning remarks made to him on two days when Dr. Tracey had interviews with Justice Hunt. Justice Piggott’s statement was that Mr. Clark’s leading counsel, Mr. Corbett, had come to him and while apparently under great excitement said he had just been advised by Mr. J. S. M. Neill, of Helena that the supremo court could be unduly influenced in the Wellcome disbarment proceedings, wanted to know if it were true and spoke denouncing any such attempt. Piggott had informed counsel that he never would hear of such an at¬ tempt upon him (Piggott), for he would kiil any one coming to him with a bribe offer. Mr. Corbett spent two or three hours talking with the justice on this occasion and the former said Mr. Neill had said to him: < £ We can get the supreme court. They will como high and the scheme will have to be capitalized for about five millions.” WILL ASSIST NATIVES, Saj*s Chainbevlaln, In Case the Boers In¬ vade Zululand. A London special says: In the home of commons, during the course of a ri- ply to the question relative to the probable Boer invasion of Zululand, the secretary of state for the colonies, Joseph Chamberlain, said that the gov¬ ernment had decided that if the native territories were invaded by the Boers, the natives “will be encouraged and assisted in every way in defending themselves." Mr. Chamberlain’s reply confirmed the reports of the invasion of Zululand and showed the consequences could not fail to be serious throughout South Africa, as the alarm and unrest of the Zulus was bound to spread to the Natal natives. The colonial secretary also said that the Natal ministry had noti¬ fied the home government that it could not any longer be responsible for the peaceful attitude of the Zulus, as the invasion of their country was contrary to a tacit compact that the natives should not be dragged into the war. “THERE ARE OTHERS.” Minority Stockholders May Bring Suit Against Millionaire Carnegie. A Pittsburg, Pa., dispatch says: Al¬ though the suit which H. C. Frick filed a few days ago to break the binding force of the “ironclad” agreement and recover from the Carnegie Steel company, limited, tho market value of his holdings in that concern, is the main line of attack opened by the anti- Carnegie adherents, the minority stockholders, who are lined up against the policy of Mr. Carnegie, it is said, are certain to follow it up with the suit attacking the validity of the coke of the Carnegie company with the H. C. Frick BECKHAM RECOGNIZED By Kentucky Prison Officials In Release Of a Convict. The clash between the Democratic and Republican branches of the Ken¬ tucky state government was empha¬ sized Thursday night by the prison officials releasing John Seals, a Louis¬ ville convict, ou a pardon issued by Governor Beekhatn. Deputy Warden Punch was acting warden at the time, and when tho pardon papers were pre¬ sented he ordered Seals released. Douglas Hays, a Knott county con¬ vict, recently pardoned by Governor Taylor, is still in confinement, the prison officials refusing to recognize Taylor as governor. FIGHT COMES OFF IN MAY. Bout Between Corbett and Jeffries to Take Place In New York. The date of the fight between James J. Jeffries and James J. Corbett has been fixed as May 14th. George F. Considine and William A. Brady, managers of the men, formally accept- e(l the offer of the Cone y Island club for tbe Tbe SeaBille Club is to P ost 85,000 forfeit and the fighters $2,000 each with A1 Smith. CARNESVILLE. GA., FRIDAY FEBRUARY 23. 1900. FAVORABLE TO CANAL. House Committee Makes Report Showing Feasibility and Profit of Proposed Waterway. Chairmau Hepburn, of the house committee on interstate and foreign commerce, has submitted the report of the committee in favor of tho Hep¬ burn bill for constructing the Nicara¬ guan canal. The report says in part: “If the provisions of the bill can be carried out the United States will, within a few years, (from six to eight) be in full ownership and control of a waterway connecting the oceans that it can defend and that it cati use in the interests of its navy and its merchant marine as wisdom may dictate. There seems to be but little doubt that the states of Nicaragua end Costa Rica will give their consent for tho con¬ struction of this great work. After reviewing the several surveys, the report countiues: “These reports above referred to, the opinions of the engineers and scien¬ tists believed to be entirely competent for their work, justify your eommitt e in recommending the undertaking of the enterprise as one that is entirely practicable and that can be completed for a sum of money the expenditure of which will be wise. “It is true that the estimates oi cost are variable, ranging from less than $40,00d,000 to a possible $145,000,- 000. It is, however, proper to say that the size and character of the canal estimated for is as variable as is the cost. Fifteen feet depth and fifty feet width was the size of the earlier project. Thirty feet depth and 100 feet width are the dimensions of the later proposed canal. “Your committee suggests in dis¬ cussing the cash remuneration that will come to the United States from the ownership of this canal estimates only can be made. “Gentlemen connected with the Maritime Canal Company gave it as their opinion that five or six millions of tonnago would be the amount that would pass through the canal an¬ nually. At present $1.55 per ton is the toll charged for the use of the Suez canal. If that rate was the rate charged at the Nicaragua canal and 4,000,000 be the tonnago passing through it, an aggregate sum of more than $6,000,000 would be the receipts. It is estimated that the cost of main¬ taining and operating the canal would be $1,000,000 annually, leaving a profit of five millions. COL. BRYAN IN FLORIDA. Nebraskan Reaches Home of Ills Kins¬ man Where Reception is Held. On his arrival at Brooksville, Fla., Saturday, Mr. Bryan was met by a large crowd which gave him arousing welcome. He was at once driven to the residence of his cousin, Judge Jen¬ nings, where an informal reception was At noon a barbecue was served in the courthouse square, after which Mr. Bryan was escorted to a stand erected for the occasion, from which he addressed the people at length on the questions of the day. He affirmed his undying faith in free silver, advocated the adoption of the income tax, denounced the trusts and imperialism and declared for the freedom of the Philippines. He was especially emphatic in his statements as to the silver question and closed by saying that the old issue of 16 to 1 was the “only relief in store for the common people.” His s^. ^ech aroused much enthusiasm and was applauded throughout. PORTO RICANS KICK. Merchants Make Loud Protest Ag-ilnst Prohibitive Duty. Several of the largest merchants of San Juan, Porto Rico, upon being in¬ terviewed, unanimously expressed the opinion that immediate congres¬ sional action is absolutely ess-hntial to the interests of the island. T hey say that the crops are immovable, the pro¬ posed duty, under the Foraker bill, on sugar and tobacco, being prohibi¬ tive. The estates are idle and bankers re¬ fuse to advace funds on account of tho extension of mortgages; the planters are desperate, and the people dis¬ couraged and they demand absolute free trade. The local press expresses the opin¬ ion that the conditions on the isladds were better during the dark days of the Spanish regime. DEMOCRATS REACH DECISION. Beckham's Followers Agree to Meet In Frankfort. The adjournment of the Democratic legislature at Louisville Saturday to meet in Frankfort revives interest in the political contest and promises to put an end to the lull which has pre¬ vailed during the last few days. There were more Democratic mem¬ bers in Frankfort Saturday night than had been together at any one time since they adjourned and fled to Cincinnati, Louisville and other points to avoid being arrested by the militia and taken to London, where the Re¬ publican legislature was then sitting. STILL PURSUING BOERS. Cronje’s Troopers Are Being: Harassed By Kelly-Kenny. Dispatches of Friday from Jacobsdal, Orange Free State, were to the effect that General Kelly-Kenny was still pursuing the Boers. He has now cap¬ tured more than one hundred wagons. The Highland brigade re-enforced him after a forced march. General French has left Kimberley to join in the pursuit of the Boer army. FELL CONTROL OVER ISLANDS Plenary Powers May Be Applied to Their Government. PRESIDENT MAKES STATEMENT Information Given Out By Henry Loomis Nelson Is Published In New York Papers. A statement made by President Mc¬ Kinley to Henry Loomis Nelson as to the American policy toward the uewly acquired islands has beou published in the New York papers. Tho article is vouched for as an au¬ thoritative interpretation of the presi¬ dent’s views. According to Mr. Nelson “it is Mr. McKinley’s belief, and it will be his purpose to carry the belief into opera¬ tion, that the constitution does not ap¬ ply to any of our new islands; that those people are uot fit for self government beyond that proposed foi Hawaii; that our new possessions musi uot be permitted to injure any of our protected interests and that free trade with Porto Rico is right because our protected interests will not he injured thereby. “Tho president believes—and this is the most important statement that can possibly be made touching his preseut beliefs—that congress has plenary power over Hawaii, Porto Rico and the Philippines. “He holds that congress may pass one tariff law for Porto Rico, another for Hawaii, another for the Philippines and that all may be different, from that of the United States. “It does not appear likely to his mind that any question eau ever arise as to the civil rights of the people of these places. “Mr. McKinley’s attitude, then, to ward the natives is benevolent. He desires to eleraie them, to educate them, and he hopes that, in the end, tliey will become worthy of being en- trused with local self government. He does not think any oi these natives are worthy now, except the few in Hawaii, upon whom it is intended to bestow the suffrage—a few more than possessed the suffrage under the “Mr. McKinley holds that the con¬ stitution only applies to a territory when it sets up thereby a treaty or by legislation. Upon this point there are authorities in his favor, but be goes beyond the authorities and holds that congress is not bound by the lim¬ itation w hen it enters upon the task of i. e.: “It may refuse to the natives and to the American citizens who may go to our colonies, the right of jury trial, the right of free speech, the right to bear arms, the right of peaceable as¬ semblage and of petition, freedom from unwarrantable arrest, freedom from search, and those rights which the constitution guards so jealously. But the main purpose of the president is to deal with the islands as markets for America and as the subject of commercial exploitation generally. “The president is a thorough be¬ liever in the moral and intellectual value of commerce, and he proceeds on the theory that W'hen a nation is doing well as a buyer and seller, it is presumptively well governed and its people are morally sound. He looks forward to benefiting the natives by expanding the blessings of Protestant Christianity and civilization by means of commerce.” It is important to digress a moment, says Mr. Nelson, for the purpose of saying that the president is largely under the influence of certain clergy¬ men, one of whom considers he is the chosen champion of Protestantism in its imaginary war with Romanism, and this accounts in a large measure for his conviction that in spreading Christianity and civilization among the heathen he is gaining and keeping the approval of good Ameri¬ cans. Mr. McKinley is a loyal Meth¬ odist and is naturally stirred and moved by the enthusiasm and spirit of that important denomination. It does not follow, on the president’s theory, that if free trade is established between this country and Porto Rico there should not be a protective tariff against the products of tho Phil¬ ippines and Cuba; for Cuba is talked about naturally, in administration cir¬ cles and in congress as if its annexa¬ tion to this country was a matter of course. One thing is settled definitely in re¬ spect to the Philippines. The open door is not to be applied to them. The Republican party will not consent to give the Asiatic world an opportun¬ ity to land its geods in the Philip¬ pines free of duty, to enjoy whatever modified tariff there may be establish¬ ed between the Philippines and this country. Canadians Begin Journey. Three hundred mounted Canadian volunteers for service in South Africa, the third section of the Canadian con¬ tingent, arrived at Halifax N. S., Sun¬ day, from Toronto and Kingston and will sail for Cape Town at once. 9 Appropriation Hill Passed. Late Saturday afternoon the house passed the legislative and judicial ap¬ propriation bill after having it under consideration four JACOBSDAL ENTERED British Take Possssion of Boer Town In Orange Free State, MILITARY POLICE PATROL STREETS. Tho Utmost Oriler Prevails and Inhabi¬ tants Show No 111 Will Towards tliu Invaders. Advices from .Tacobsdal, Orange Free State, state that Roberts’ troops entered the captured town Sunday. Tho utmost order prevails there. Military police patrol the streets, but not a stick of furniture has been taken. A sentry has been placed be¬ fore each store, and the soldiers are allowed to enter and puroliase what they require. Everything is so peaceful that the inhabitants express tho utmost sur¬ prise, as it had been diligently re¬ ported that tho British occupation meant instant looting. Judging from the conversations of the inhabitants, the Free State is weary of the war. It is openly said that President Steyn betrayed the people. When the latter becamo sat- isfied there was no truth in the stories of the looting proclivities of the Brit¬ ish, the townspeople welcomed the troops as friends. Since the battle of the Modeler river, the town has not, been garrisoned, but has been merely used as a hospitable depot. When tho Boers fired on the British Wednesday, the townspeople protest¬ ed. Although the British shell¬ ing considerably frightened the wo¬ men, the shells were only directed at a ridge boyoud the town, which was intrenched. The German hospital remains in beautiful order. It is clean and sani¬ tary, and the wounded on both sides are equally well attended. A correspondent talked with a num¬ ber of the Boer wounded, and thoy ac¬ knowledged that the British move¬ ments had nonpulsed the burgher commanders. Even now, it is added, they are under the impression that the sole object vas the capture of Jacobs- dal. When informed of the relief of Kimberley, they were at first incredu¬ lous and then astounded. The landrost remains in the town. Other advices from Jacobadal stated that Genera! Cronje, with 10,000 men, was in full retreat toward Bloemfon¬ tein with General Kelley-Keuny light¬ ing the rear guard and harassing the retreat. The Boers captured a large convoy as a result, of Thursday’s fighting at Riet river. The British casualties were comparatively slight in view of the tremendous bombardment. Less than thirty men were wounded and but one killed. General French’s division was en¬ thusiastically welcomed at Kimberley. The officers dined at tho club in the evening. Tho news of the entry into Kimberley has greatly cheered the troops, who ore working splendidly. ROBERTS ADVISES BURGHERS. Issues a Proclamation Urging: Them to Cease Fighting. A dispatch from Cape Town says: Lord Roberts has issued a proclama¬ tion to the burghers of the Orange Free State, saying that ho fools it his duty to make known to all the burgh¬ ers the cause of the coming of the British as well as to do all in his pow¬ er to terminate the war, and that he issues the proclamation in order that if the burghers should continue fight¬ ing they may not do so ignorantly, but with a full knowledge of their respon¬ sibility before God for the lives lost in the campaign. POSITION OF L. and N. In Regard to the Political Fight in Ken¬ tucky Is Made Public. Milton II. Smith, president of tho Louisville and Nashville railroad, has given out for tho benefit of the public the correspondence which passed be¬ tween the officers of his road and Henry Wattcrson, of The Louisville Courier-Journal, bearing on the Ken¬ tucky election for governor. The correspondence is highly inter¬ esting, as it furnishes a missing link in the tragedy of which Governor Wil¬ liam Goebel was the victim. WILL USE GEORGIA GRANITE In Construction of Big Federal Prison at Atlanta, Georgia. The new Atlanta Federal prison will be built of Georgia granite and work on the structure will begin within the next thirty days. The prison will be completed and ready to receive prisoners within a year. The department of justice at Washington is hurrying work on the building and has instructed the super¬ vising architects, Eames & Young, to push the work to completion as rapidly as possible. Carnegie Has Nothing to Say. When asked for a statement about the Ruit of II. C. Frick recently filed in Pittsburg, Andrew Carnegie sent word from Dnngeness, Cumberland Island, that he had nothing to say, that he was playing golf and enjoying himself. Kemp’s Rooks Were Correct. Examination made of the accounts of A. H. Kemp, late manager of the Western Union Telegraph company at Macon, Ga., who committed suicide Tuesday, by Superintendent Brenner DUAL LEGISLATURES Are Trying to Do Business in Kentucky’s State House. THE democrats STEAL A MARCH Marshall nncl Carter Occupy Chair To¬ gether.....Democrats Again Declare Qoebel Governor. A Frankfort special says: The Democrats liad a session of the sennte at 9 o’clock Monday morning. Presi¬ dent Pro Tern. Carter presiding, and adjourned to meet again at 10:30 o’clock. The Republicans adjourned Satur¬ day to meet at 11 o’clock and the Democrats adopted this move to got possession of the chambor first. The souate convened at 10 o’clock, both Carter and Marshall presiding. Tho Republicans, recoguiziug Mar¬ shall, adjourned after priyer, and led by Lieutenant Governor Marshall, the Republican senators left the hall. The Democratic senators, recogniz¬ ing President Pro Tern. Carter, paid no attention to the Republican pro¬ ceedings and continued in session. The Democratic senate then adopted a motion by Senator Allen, of Lexing¬ ton, to ratify and re-affirm the former action of the senate by which Goobel was declared governor. This prevailed ou a viva voce vote, nobody making a demand for the yeas and noes. Senator Triplett, anti-Goebol Dem¬ ocrat, voted with the Democrats for the purpose of making a quorum. The Democratic senators adjourned after adopting the Allen resolution. The house convened atnoon. Speak¬ er Trimble presiding. Mr. Hickman, Democrat, demanded a roll call to as¬ certain the presence of a quorum. The Republicans did not answer to their names and only fifty-three of the sixty Democrats were present. The contest matter was not taken up. SETTLEMENT NOT IN SIOHT. The impression that the contest over the governorship will not be end¬ ed till it is fought to a finish in the courts is not lessened by the action taken by the Democratic senators in their session Monday ratifying their former notion hv which Senator Goebel was declared governor. The Republicans who spoke for Governor 'J’nylor said that ho would not recognize as legal the proceedings taken and which, it is anticipated, will he duplicated in the house, but has told them that he looks upon these proceedings ns illegal and will not quit the fight until the whole matter is passed upon in the courts of last re¬ sort. His position is that the former pro¬ ceedings being void, the ratification gives them no legal vitality; that the legal presiding officer, Lieu¬ tenant Governor Marshall, had de¬ clared *hv. session adjourned when vote in question was taken, and the vote should have been taken yeas nud nays, as in the case of a or resolution. Negotiations to settle the conflict between Lieutenant Governor Mar- shall and Senator Carter over the chair in the senate wentou again Mon¬ day afternoon, but no agreement has been reached so far. There was talk among the Democratic senators Mon- day night of voting on the ratification resolutions Tuesday in the senate by yeas and nays. Those resolutions Monday received the support of twenty-one senators, two more than a quorum. HISSING CASHIER RETURNS. Warncll Declares His Miu<l Was In a Blank Condition. Walter L. Warnell, cashier of tho szs 1 szszsruzzrsi to the belief that he had wandered off in a spell of temporary mental aberra- t.on, arrived in Atlanta Sunday morn- ln ^' * The story he tells is altogether a re¬ markable one. He says that from the I time he stepped on board the train which carried him from Adel on tho morning of January 11th until two weeks ago, when he woke up sick in a boarding house in Louisville, his mind was a blank, and he remembers absolutely nothing of what he did dur¬ ing that interval of time. “BRITISH AIDED SPAIN.” Such Is tlio Declaration Made By Pre- ...ter MI vela at Madrid. A special dispatch received in Lon- don from Madrid says that Premier | Silvela has declared in the senate that previous to the war with the United States the British government con- sented to let Spain have 8,500 shells which were being manufactured for her at the Maxims factory at Pla¬ centa. The statement has created the greatest surprise and is the talk of official circles. Such a statement com¬ ing from the premier of Spain is cal¬ culated to produce unfriendly feelings were it not denied ou every hand. Forty Horses Burned. A five-story brick building at Cleve¬ land, O., used as a stable by Gibbons & Pettitt, agents for Armour & Co., was destroyed by fire early Monday. Forty horses perished. New Mill For Durham. Durham, N. C., is to have a new cotton mill with a capital of $300,000. The new concern will consolidate with the Golden Belt Manufacturing com¬ a smaller concern. NUMBKIl in. FORtd RICAN TARIFF MIL Before the House and Great Debate Is Inaugurated. GREAT QUESTIONS INVOLVED. Democrats Are Solidly Ai-.iyed Against Measure and Discus¬ sion Will Invoke Interest. A Washington special says: Tho debate on tho Porto Rican ’tariff bill opened in the house Monday. On all hands it is agreed that this bill, although it applies only to Porto Rico, involving as il does tho question of tho power to govern our new pos¬ sessions outside the limitations of tho constitution, is the most important measure which will como before this congress. Interest in the bill is intense among the members on both sides and there is urgent demand for time. The Dem¬ ocrats are solidly arrayed against tho measure and they will have powerful support from tho Republican side in Mr. McCall, of Massachusetts, and Mr. Littlefield, of Maine, both nblo nud forceful debaters. How far tho Republican disaffection will extend, or whether it will endanger the bill, it is impossible to say at this time. Mr. Payne, tho floor leader of tho majority, refused to agree that a voto should be taken upon a substitute to be offered by the minority. This sub¬ stitute, which has not yet been framed, will be in substance tlie bill originally introduced by Mr. Payne providing for free trade with Porto Rico by the ex- tention of the customs and revenue laws of the United States over the island. The debate Monday was in the na¬ ture of a long range bombardment be- foro the clash of the contending forces in battle. Mr. Payne opened with a general argument in support of tho bill, going largely into tho material side of the situation which the bill is designed to relieve. The house then went into committee of tho whole with all questions relat¬ ing to tho close of the debate open. Mr. Payne, in charge of the opening the debate, received marked attention. “This bill by its terms,” be ex¬ plained, “relates only to the island of Porto Rico. It cannot be taken as a precedent of any legislative action in reference to the Philippine islands when the present insurrection shall have boen overcome except in so far as we assert in it our view of our pow¬ er under the American constitution. “But our constitutional power ia questioned. I find no case where the question was directly involved or which is decisive. “It is now universally conceded that wo have tho power to acquire ter¬ ritory by conquest or by treaty. I find no limit in the constitution to this power. In respect to Porto Rico we are not hampered by treaty stipu¬ lations by act of congress. We have absolute power.” BICHARDSON LEADS OPPOSITION. Mr. Richardson, of Tennessee, the leader of the minority, made the open- iug argument in opposition to the measure. “I am uot an alarmist,” said he, “but in my judgment the pending bill is more dangerous to the liberties of the people of this republic than any measure before seriously presented to tbe American congress. It will prove ac /f luto lavv w tbau r * “ ttct r ever k ',"r" »““* /^“bfllTs^framod upon l, the idea and asgumption that COI ess ente ra upon the government of Porto Rico unrestrained by the provisions of tha constitution. This we deny. Those of us who oppose this I b lieve, without exceptio> that the bill cannot bo. Ylfl awl law without a total disjc lation of not simply ^ thim ~ the exjiress letter, Oi 0 tion.” t 7-8 y4 * FACTORI Mississippi LeKlslaiil^ r0Dfl "> n ‘ Kes.d.itlon In 0*6 A concurrent resoluti both houses of the legislature inviting ®‘8 n capital 4° invest *ng enterprises, espLi JJ tories, and setting forth 11, of Mississippi as a manufacti Senator Butler Denounced. Populist Congressman Atwater, of Fourth North Carolina district, hat published a letter denouncing Senator Butler, also Populist, for antagonizing the amendment, after having said ten months ago that he would support it. MACRUM IS DISCREDITED. State Department Says He Made No OfH« cial Report. While state department officials at Washington were averse to discussing the public statement of ex-Con su l Macrum it was authoritatively stated that a search of the records failed t<> show that Mr. Macrum had ever re¬ ported to the department that his offi- cial mail was being regularly tampered with by the British authorities.