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THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION. ATLANTA, GA^ TUESDAY MARCH 11886
CONGRESS.
Proceedings of tho Two Housss
Last Week.
With the President and His Ad.
visers—General News.
Congress grows livelier and livelier. Sena
tors Morgan and George had a personal tilt
that looks serious. Mr. Townshend, of Illi
nois, made an unmitigated ass of himself on
the pensiou bill, reviving the old war issue.
Mr. Walford, of Kentucky, did the bravo thing
about President Davis and tho Mexicsu pen
sion bill. The old race issue has l>eeu sprung
on tho educational bill, and bids fair to wreck
it. The Morrison tariff bill is awaiting dis
cussion, but appears to have small prospect of
pasaing. For the details of the week our
readers are referred to our reports boloar.
Senate.
Mr. Fry© introduced a bill providing for
holding iu Washington a congress of repre
sentatives of all the South American repub
lics, with a view to the promotion of com
merce.
The House.
Mr. Hewitt's report from the minority of the
ways and means committee on tho joint reso
lution reported by Mr. Morrison, directiug the
payment of the surplus in the treasury exceed-
ing $100,000,000 in liquidation of the national
debt, was presented. It opposed the majority
report ss being unsafe and imprudent At tho
present time, under the practice of the treus
ury claimed to bo in accordance with the bank
act of 1882—$100,000,000 in gold coin is sot
apart for the redemption of legal tender notes,
being rather lev than 20 per cent This re-
serve would be regarded by prudent bankoro as
the minimum amount in au easy mouey mar*
bet but if the financial prospect should bo
threatening, prudence would require that it
should be enlarged and strengthened. The
practice of the treasury under Secretary Sher
man, who put the resumption act in operation,
was not to allow the reserve to fall below 40
per cent, and all things considered this is prob
ably the smallest amount consistent with abso
Intc safety. If this ratio should be adopted
the amount of reserve in coin would bo $i.V»,.
000,000. Adding this amount to tho amount
heretofore stated ns a reasonable working bal
ance, wo hare the sum of $108,000,000 as the
minimum balance which the treasury should
carry in order to bo in a condition of ease uud
safety. Any other conclusion is at variance
with the lessons of experience and well eatub-
lislicd rules for the safe conduct of busiueu.
Another consideration may be presented as a
atal argument against the reduction of tho
treasury balance to $100,000,000 in coiu, neces
sary at ail times to bo kept for the redemption
of legal tender notes. The ability of tho spoc-
lators to reduce this balance below$100,000,000
l»y presenting demand notes for payment is
obvious, and unless the expedient of roplaciug
the amount by the sale of bonds bo resorted
to, the money market can bo so manipulated as
to impair coutidi-nco ami bring about general
uiKHhter by which operators for a full would
reap an abundant pro,'ll at tho expense of tho
legitimate busimss of the country.
The Educational Hill.
The discussion of tho education bill wosthon
resumed, and Mr. Blair addressed tho senate
in reply to the objections and criticisms made
against it. Ho contended that the legislature
of Alabama had given unanimous indorsement
to the principle of tho bill, and to tho bill it
self, co far as its essential features were con
cerned. He denied that tho people of the
south were opposed to the measure, and in
sisted that they favored It. He dwelt at some
Isngth on tho benefits to tho country, not only
to the south, but the cntlro country, from tho
removal of illiteracy in tho south. Among
those to come to the south he included ap in
creased immigration, and consequent increased
crrnccu iudu,iiuvu. nu
activity and protDorlty.
Mr.georgesald tho house of ropresontativoa
of hit otate (Ulsslaslpni,) had passed resolu
tions requesting the United States sonators
from Mississippi to support this manure. Mis-
'slsstpplwasnothoro, however, as a suppliant
for national bounty. It regardod tho measuro
as a amorous offer from tho northern states to
ward removing tho illiteracy prevailing in tho
■oath. Mr. George would be compelled,
however, to . decline the offer,
Ifh. believed It to !» unconstitutional. IIo
cited a number of inatancee in which money
had boon appropriated from tho national
tieaenry to purposes not In any manner onum*
crated in the constitution, which amounts, if
the theory of tho opponent, of this education
bill wore correct, had all boon
unlawfully and improperly paid out.
Tbs people oi Mississippi, bo said, had so much
interest In the bill that ha felt constrained to
pitaent some further vlowt in advocacy of tho
measure. Ha called Mr. Morgan's attention to
the resolution introduced by him (Morgan,) at
a former teoolon of the senate, giving a month'o
extra pay to tho congressional clerks. He
found no warrant in the constitution for such
payment, If Morgan’a theory of tho constitu
tionality of tho education bill was tbo trua
Mr. Morgan inquired what bod become of tbo
resolution?
Mr. George replied that ho did not know,
nnd he then wont on to criticise Mr. Morgan's
record in tho matter of appropriations for
other purposes.
Mr. Morgan said lie would not follow tho re-
tail effort of Mr. George to lay beforo tho
world bio (Morgan's) record, bat tbo senator
from Mississippi was weicomo to any Instance
of that sort of tnuh that be contd (ind iu his
(Morgan’s) record. The senator from Missis-
aippl was the list senator who had tho capac
ity to ooo any nnconstltntlonility in tho act
which ho had criticised.
Mr. George was much obliged for tho oonf-
plimontary manner in which Mr. Morgan had
referred to him. It so happened, lie sold, Ibot
that when tbo senator followed the course of
tbo oenator from Alabama (Morgan) he wos
compelled, by tbo necessity of tbo occasion, to
deal with “trasb," for there was very iittio
else in tbo record of tbo oenator except what
could bo denominated by the word “trash.”
Tbo debate took a colloquial form between
George, Butler, Maxey, Logan and other., and
between Morgan ana Ueorge was very per-
Mr. Morgan denied some of tbo inferences
drawn by Mr. George from bis (Morgan's)
speeches on former measures before congress,
end aid George’s reading misrepresented
bin,
Ur. George—“I shall road the senator's own
language, and then I shall not misrepresent
yon.”
Mr. Morgan— 1 “It does misrepresent me.”
Mr. George—“If I read jour own language,
it will not misrepresent yon.”
Mr. Morgan—“It dose misrepresent me, and
the aenator knows it”
Mr. George—“It is untrue. The statement
made by the senator Is simply untrue, and
bo know* It.”
Messrs. Dolpfa, Platt, Blair, Logan,Ed rounds,
Hear and Allison also took part in the debate.
Mr. Allison suggested an amendment which,he
raid, he would offer at the proper time, pro
viding that in bis state, in which there shall be
separate schools for white and colored children,
the money paid shall bo apportioned and
paid ont for the support of
such white and colored schools
in the proportion that the illiteracy of the
white and colored persons bear to each other,
as shown by th^census.
SPEAKER CARLISLE WILL OPPOSE IT.
Washington, February 26.—[Special.]—
Speaker Carlisle's opposition to the educa
tions! bin has developed In the complexion of
the home committee an education today. It
had quite a lively seraioc, in which strong an
tagonism to tbs rail was developed. Finally.
it was agreed, by a vote of five to mar, to report
the bill favorably, but soon afterwards two
other members came in, and their motion to
reconsider and postpone action was carried by
f vote of eight to three. Mr. Candler, of
Gcoi|:in. and Mr. Willis, of Kentucky,
were tho most active advocates of tho bill ou
the- final vote. The bouse committee may agree
to report the bill and allow the house to con-
aider it, but it is pretty plain that tho my or icy
of the committee is opposed to its passage. The
nest dangerous move yet made against the
measure was the amendment proposed by Mr
A Risen in the senate today, wmcli allows ouly
those states which now apportion tholr oduca-
tional fond ou the basis of illiteracy to partic
ipate in the benefits of this act. This
ami rdment will not only indefinitely prolong
the debate in the senate, bot will give a sec*
tiontl turn to the discussion. If it Is adopted
tho defeat of the bill will be inevitable, but as
uo friend of the measure will vote for Alli
son's amendment, it is apt to be defeated in the
eiiibte.
THE RACE ISSUE SLIPS IN.
Mr. Allison made a formal presentation of
the i mendment suggested by him yesterday,
to the effect that whore separate white an!
colored schools cxist,the money should be paid
out for the support of such whito and colored
schools in “the proportion that the illiteracy of
white and colored persons aforesaid bear to
each other as shown by the census.”
Mr. Blair objected to tho race discrimination
this amendment made.
Mr. Riddleberger said the amendment dis
tinguished between white and colored public
schools. Tho momeut that is done by tho
United States, government, tbo public schools'
are destroyed.
Mr. Allison defended his amendment, say
ing that without it the moucy appropriated
under it could be distributed by the state gov
ernment according to numbers, while the pro
portion of illiteracy of the colored children
was vastly greater thsn of tho white. BIr.
Allison quoted from the statistics of school
attendance in South Carolina, as shown by a
witness before the sonato committee on educa
tion, to the effect that ont of 251,000 colored
children iu that state only 12,11!) attended tho
schools.
BIr. Hampton was sure there was some mis
take or misprint about tho figures. Tho report
of the superintendent of education for this
year showed that tho school enrollment of
white children of South Carolina was 78,458,
and of colored 99,665.
BIr. Blillcr, of New York, favored tho bill,
but opposed Allison's amendment. Rather
than adopt this amondmont, BIr, Blillcr
thought the hill bad better be ahandoued. In
tbat amendment he saw the beginning of race
distinction that won Id result in race hatred
and a war of races.
A right Over tho Pension Hill.
Washington, February 25.—[Special]—D. B.
Henderson, of Iowa, arhioved notoriety in
1882 as secretary of Joy HubbeH's blackmail
ing committco. Kvcry circular which emanated
from that committee directing government
employee, under penalty of dismissal, to con
tribute two per cent of their aunual mlarios to
the corruption fund which was to buy seats in
congress for the republicans, was signed l»v
David Brenner Henderson. Henderson sank
into his native oblivion after that election, and
bad never been heard of since until this after-
noon. Tho bourn was considering tho pensionitp-
nropriation bill in committee of the wholo.with
BIr. Crop, of Georgia, iu the chair. Hitherto
this bill h*s been considered just as other ap-
*y as a bualucss matter.
occasion of a shrieking
harungno which, for gall and hate, bos
seldom been equaled in congress. Ho grew
furious in his denunciation of tho southern
members, and accused the gallant union gou-
oral who is aft tho head of the pensions bureau
of collusion with rebel brigadiers to deny to
men who fought for tho union their just rights.
Henderson's object wus to provoke hot replies
from the southern members. In this he ntterly
failed. Randall and Morrison answered him in
a calm, dignified exposnro of tho fallacy of his
assertions and iu manly protests against his
efforts to arouse sectional fueling. Henderson
has again dropped out of sight, probably to re
main there. Tho details of the debato nro
given below:
Tho house resolved itselflnto committee of
tho whole on the pension appropriations bill.
Mr. Townshend, of Illinois, who had charge
priates, he raid, $75,751,200. or about uiceon
million more than was carried by law for the
current year. This increase was occasioned by
the accelerated work that was being done in
tho pension ofllce—and for this work tho com-
misioner of pensions and bis employes deserved
commendation—and by the larger number of
cases that were now being disposed of. Ho
then passed on to tbo discussion of tho
proposition to repeal tho limitation of the
arrears of pension act, and advo
cated It as a means demanded by
good faith and patriotism.
Mr. Henderson, of Iowa, while concurring
with Mr. Townshend in his general remarks
upon pension matters, differed from him when
he attributed the increased appropriation to the
accelerated work of the pension office. Ho
said the amount of the pending bill was $L-
694,800 below tho average for tho last nix
years, raaaing into the discussion of the
general subject of (tensions, ho said that thuro
appeared to be a well considered effort on tho
part of some gentlemen In the houso to
frighten the countiy with tho idea that
appropriations for pensions were now
so tremendous that a halt should instantly be
called. He attacked Mr. Randall for bating
asked the commissioner of pensions for an esti
mate of the probable cost to the country of tho
repeal of the limitation of arrears of pensions.
He said Commissioner Black's estimates - had
been excessive and misleaiing, and he aemsed
Mr. Randall of off clou anew In attempting to
forestall a bill not yet paraed, and created
nlntm in the public mind against it. He de
scribed Commissioner Black’s letter as un
trustworthy, and as having “a lie in its stom
ach.” Tbo commissioner, when called to ac
count by the pension committee, hid revised
his estimates, but the mischief hod been dono
because his first letter had bccu spread abroad
in tho public prints.
In reply to a question by BIr. Ran dill, BIr
Henderson raid he did not bellevo tho repeal
of tho limitation of arrears would cost tho
country one hundred and fifty millions, bat
whatever it cost ho advocated it. BIr. lion-
derson then went into an analysis of the neg
ative vote on the bill to Increaso the pensions
of soldiers' widows. The total vote in tbo
negative, ho raid, was 66, of which 01 were
cut by the southern democrats
and two by northern democrats. BIr.
Hewitt, of New York, and BIr. Bragg, of Wis
consin. Not one republican had voted against
the bill. This, he said, waa a significant vote,
and a great lesson was to be learned from it.
In the late campaign in the north the republi
can party had been charged with being the
parly of sectionalism—tho party that waved
tho ensanguine garment. The m«n that
wonldever again make the charge after that
simple vote moat cloae his eyes to tha troth.
BIr. Tillman, of 8onth Carolina—Considering
that the confederate states pay abont one-third
of the taxes of the federal government for pen
sions and do not get back three cents of it;
considering alao that from tbo foundation of
the government to the preaant lima $8 a month
was considered a sufficient pension for widows,
can the gentleman complain that tho southern
membersaretryingtorostraintbo necessarily
large expenditures for pensions within tho
rules tbat prevailed heretofore?
Mr. Henderson replied that he arraigned no
man for his vote, but the southern members
were under equal obligations with the north
ern to pay tho debt to tho northern soldiers.
“I have not road this vote for tho purpose of
stirring up bad blood,” ho raid. “The time
has come when sectional lines should be drop
ped, end when the sixtr-fonr members of that
aide of the house said that $12 was too much to
pay a widow, the seclonal lino waa kept up
and the bloody shirt waswaved.”
Mr. Oats, of Alabama, inquired whether tho
southern members should not have the discre
tion to vote as their conscience dictated? Were
they slaves and not permitted to use their dis
cretion?
Mr. Hendenon—No, not slaves. I want all
members on the floor to stand as equals. I
concede their constitutional right to vote as
they please. Bat there is more than one way
of observing the constftntfon and of trampling
it under foot. Today tha constitution is
thrown in our foes as a shield to cover an al
most solid vote against tha increase of pen*
■ions bill. And yet there is hardly a constitu
tion of the United States to be found in tbit
section. I state here and now, as my convic
tion, that if there gentlemen respected th>
constitution as they ray, they would not have
ccntrol of this chamber. If they
represented the constitution instead
of ballot-box stuffing and shotguns
they would not havo coutrolof the executive
of the nation. [Applause on tho republican
side aud groans on the democratic aide.] You
may groan, gentlemen, but you vourselvos d >
kuow and you boast of it, too, that yon will
control this government in spite of the cansri-
tution. And I tell you hero and uow, in this
chamber, tbat there are as grave crimesenn-
mitted under the form of law and tho consti
tution as there were when Saintor was
find upon, and for one I proteit
against tbo sectional control of this couulry,
with the constitution absolutely defeated.
These arc my sentiments, aud I say tho gaunt
let wfls thrown down in that vote. In closing
I desire to say that I sincerely trust tbat uo
gentleman, especially those who were In tho
rank i against me, misinterpret me, for I
would rather spend au eternity in hell with a
confederate than au eternity in heaven with a
northern copperhead. [Laughtor and ap
plause.!
BIr. Warner, of Ohio, defended the commis
sioner of pensions from Mr. Henderson's at
tacks, and in theconrseof his remarks, sai l
he wanted the pension bureau made non-parti
san by turning out the men who were put in
there, purely because they were partisiih,
whereat BIr. Curtin, of Pennsylvania, oJaiula-
ted: “If you do not turn tho nartisam out.
aud put other partisans In, what is tho use of
having elections?” [Applause and laughter.]
Btr. Randall, of Pennsylvania, desire 1 to
leavo the arena of politics for a moment to
assume the ground of history and truth. Ho
was unwilling that the sun should go down
without his expressing a recollection on this
question. He had much experiencoon tho
appropriations committee, and this was tho
first time he had ever seen partisan politics
and sectionalism thrust' into the debato on u
pension appropriation bill. He should, perhaps
have remained silent notwithstanding, except,
whether intended or not, there might go
abroad through the country the atatemoat
that the democratic party, and more
particularly the southern element of
that party, bad in any way
abown any hostility whatever to the payment
of pensions. On the contrary hla expenonce
had shown that the southern element had de
veloped wonderfol disposition—a fall heart—
to pension the union soldiers, or to the widows
of union soldiers.
BIr. Morrison, of Illinois, said that for all
the years of the war, and for ten yean there
after, the republicans had had control of'tho
f iovernment in all its branches. Skilled alike
n statesmanship and display of patriotism the
republican party had made ample provision
for the payment of pensions to sold (era. Since
his experience hero ho did not recollect tho
name of a southern man who hod ever failed
tv vote to the lastdollar what that party had
P rovided by law should be paid .to tho sol-
iers.
Tho discussion was continued by BIr. Reel,
of Blaine; BIr. Hiecock, of New York, and oth
ers, and drifted into tho old groove, as to
whether the democratic party was sincere in its
professions of economy, or whether it had not
mado inadequate appropriation for tho purpose
of bciug able to go beforo tho couutry with a
favorable showing of expenditures.
BIr. Wolford, of Kentucky, *poke In support of
the Mexican pension bill, Introduced by him, and
thought that it should not l>e antagonized bccausa
It would include Jcflfcrzon Davis in its provisions
Mr. Reagan NUggcstcd that Jefferson Davis had
oncewrlttenalcttcraskingtkathi.-ina.no bo ex-
ccptcd from tbo provisions of tho Mexican pen
sion bill, if Its insertion would cudaugor tbo p is-
sage of the bill.
BIr. Wolford replied that that noble (umtluicat of
Jefferson Davis tuiule him tWalford.) only more de
sirous of including him In the provUloui of the
bill.
President Pavla and the Mexican
General Frank Walford, who fought for the union
and wasamoet formidable foe of the confederates Iu
Keutucky, mado an eloquontipeoch In favor of tho
Mexican pansJon bill, In the courso of which ho
related aome Interesting reminiscences of Jefferson
DavJa's conduct Jn the Mexican war. He raid that
but for Davla and tho Mlsstaaippl Rifles, Taylor’s
aimy would havo been ruined at lluani
Vista. There could bo but ono reason
he said, for excluding Jefferson Davis from
the provisions or the Mexican pension bill and
Uiat waa spite. That motive, exclaimed the noblo
old soldier, Is unworthy to And a place In the
breast of any roon who In brave enough to flgbt for
his country. Jefferson Davis can afford to do with
out this paltry pension, but wc cannot afford to
pa>j U with his namoltft out of an army of which
he waa the most brilliant soldier, tn contrast to
ihc recent utterances of Boutullo, of Maine, and
Henderson, of Iowa, these sentiments stamped tho
braye soldier os quite different from tho political
mountebank and the low demagogue.
The P«n-Klectrlc Storm.
Washington, February 20.—Jn tho house
Mr. Morrison, from the commltte on rules, re
ported a substitute for the Hanback and Pu«
Iitzcr resolutions, directing an inquiry into
tbe Tan Electric telephone matter. Tho sub
stitute is aa follows:
Resolved, That a select committee, consistlm
of nine members of this house, bo appolutod, ann
when so appointed, the committee H hereby di
rected. at aa early a day as iiosslble, to make In
quiry into any expenditure on the part of tbe gov
ernment incurred relative to the rights of the
Bell and J’an EJutrlo telephone companies to
priority of patents, said Inquiry to iuclude
all organisations and companies that
have sprung out of the Pan Electric letophono
company, or auy other purpose, and also to make
full inquiry Into tbe inuancu of »tock known a«
tbe Pan Electric telephone stock, or any stosic of
any other company, companies —
springing out of tbe Pan Klectrii
pany, to any itenon or person'
r«.v!i .I.., £ghii r .*— .
stock was delivered; also, aa to what opinions, de
cisions aud order* had been made by any officers
beiclu mentioned, or their officers, agents and c
ployes, have. In at ' * *-
enied or attempted _ ... —
llcial action, by or through tho public
press, and ir re when, by whom and in what man
lier such Influence waa dxerted. or attempted to
—■* -*■** or newspaper*
used by them,
ht to rend fju
iff the session of the honre'tcTemploy ’ a sten
ographer and Incur any and all such necessary and
icutonablo expenses aa may be required for tbe
(uirpore of conducting saia investigation, not to
exceed tha sum of 11,000, which shall be paid ont
of tbe contingent fund of the house upon proper
voucher* certified by tho chairman and one other
member of the committee, and may report at any
time.
Mr. Gibson, of West Virginia, said: “It fe
with extreme reluctance that I oppose the re
solution coming from the committee on rules,
but I feel that I have a duty to perform to my
constituents and the country, as welt as tbe
committee on rales have, and I am unwilling
to alt here and see this body drifting into an
investigation tbat brings no respect to it or
confidence to the country, or no good to any
human being. There has never yet
been made a charge against any
person occupying an olncisl position, such as
wonld justify the trial of any man in this
country. But yet a member of this house—I
refer to the gentleman from New York (Pallt-
cer)—himself an editor of a paper, did not set
fit in his official capacity to attack this gentle
man in an open, honest and manly way, which
a representative should havo done, bat under
took to retreat behind the irresponsible col
umns of bis newspaper for the purpoee of cre
ating scandal, for what motives I am not here
to state.”
Mr. Holman—I call the gentleman's atten
tion to tbe fact that the gentleman from New
York is not present.
Mr. Gibson—The gentleman is not present.
. cannot help that, lie ought to bo here. I
remember tbat gcntlemcnjwho have lived long
a life of good reputation, and by their integrity
end capacity have won the confidence of
country, have been arraigned by an irresponsi
ble newspaper, and the democratic majority
is rushing before the hue and cry to do
that which must only do tha gentlemen
injustice. There is not a charge embraced in
these rcoolutiona. They do not charge that
there is any corrqpt act by these partke. They
do net charge that tha attorney general has
given a corrupt decisiou; that tbo secretary of
the interior has given a corrupt dcciaiou; that
a dollar has been illegally expended. On tho
contrary they refrain with woudorful unantm-
itv from making auy such charge. All that
has been done in tho telephone matter has been
to refer it to the courts. Let tho courts decide
whether it lias bccu properly referred or not.
If it has been properly referred, whnt bas con
gress to do with tho question of reference?
They say the gentlemen aonio time or other got
stock. I stood on the floor of this house and
beard a number boast that ho held hundreds
of thousands of dollars of railroad stock, and
would combine with.tho railroads to clog up tho
courts with business, but uo outcry was mado
against it. I see all around mo men who hold
railroad stock and national bank stock, voting
with tho stock in their pockets, and
no outcry is mado agalnBt it. Tho distiu-
S uit-bed gentlcinau from Now York, (Hewitt),
imsclf a large manufacturer, is at work, aud
lias been at work for years to .rovlso the tarifl'
so that bis manufactures may ho more profita
ble. [Laughter.] There is tho gontloman
from South Carolina on tho committee on coiu-
age. who is a member of a national bank.
Mr. Brown—I want to know whether they
paid for their stock.
BIr. Gibson—It matters not whether they
paid for It or got it gratuitously. Tho ques
tion is, have they acted dishonestly. It u a
mere beggary of the question in a childish man
ner to talk of whether tlioy paid for tho stock.
How many mcmbers’owu national hank stock?
How many own railroad stock? If I am not
misinformed, tho late president of tho senuto
was himself compel for ono of those telephone
companies. Who cried out against it? If I
am correctly informed, tho present president
of tbo senate is a national bank stockholder.
Bf r. ( u tchcon, of Michigau—Was it presented
to him?
BIr. Gibson—Was It presented? I)oos that
make fraud? It is not tno manner iu which
the stock has como by, but whether tho action
was Influenced by the stock, llaseougrcss got
nothing else to do but to raise a hue and cry
against honorablo gentlemen against
wboso records yon can say nothing?
What will tho committee report? Will thoy
report that tho gentlemen got stock without
*ig anything for it? Was f
Is going to say it was wrong?
am not standing as tho champion of this ad
ministration, of these men. While I acknow
ledge the honesty aud cleanliness of tho ad
ministration as equal to that of auy we have
ever had, I havo very little regard for its poli
tics. [Laughter nnd applause.] I am here to
protest against tins congress; to protest against
the democratic majority going into au investi
gation that can reflect no credit on it or do no
good. If the attorney general is to bo as
sailed with tho certainty you would assail
a chicken thief, let him bo assailed with
tbe manliness which-tho character of liis repu
tation deserves. Let it bo dono iu an open,
straightforward way. But lot uo man come
be re behind the irresponsible columns of tho
newspapers to arraign the character of an
honorablo gentleman, and ask us to stand by
him. But tho resolution goes farther. The
newspapora tto to bo investigated, and congress
must Investigate that matter, and report
whether or not they havo been paid anything.
Now wo enter into a maguifluent field of in-
vertigations in which it is impossible to ac
compiish anything and tho result of which
will bo absolutely ridiculous. How can wo go
into a general investigation of tho nowsnapors?
Can we go into every congressional district and
sco what newspapers has brought infliicuco to
bear on members of congress? It is utterly
Impossible. It can do nothing. It is futUo. ’
BIr. Bforrlsou said: “This investigation hav
ing been demanded by a member of tbo houso,
the comroitttco on rules, and evory tnomber of
it, thought it improper to’refuao it; and as
friend of tbe officer supposed to bo tbe most
affected— if anybody Is to bo affcctod by this
investigation—having unlimited coalldonoo
iu his honor and in bis porsoual aud official
integrity, I want this resolution to paw, and ’
want this investigation to go on.”
Mr. Rogcrt and Mr. Brcckonrldge, of Ar
kansas, did i ot think the gentlomen who are
supposed to be affcctod by these charges, will
in tbo slightest degree welcome tho opposition
made agsinat tbe committee's reports. For
themselves as personal frienda and political
associates of the attorney-general, thoy wore
glad the investigation is to bo mado,
Mr. Reed, of Maine, sarcastically sjinpx-
thizcdwitli the natural feeling of solemnity
Which baa fallen upon tha democrat'
at tho present time. Ho thought Mr.
waa solitary and alono in opposing the inves
tigation.
Mr.Morrison—Tho gentleman is mistaken in
supposing the democratic party is iu any trou
ble. Wo propose to Investigate charges against
oar own people, as we did those against theirs,
and I trust, lfwc find them guilty of anything
unbecoming honest officials, wo will not be
found as the gentlemen on tho other sldo have
been found, attempting to shield them. I Ap
plause on democratic side.]
The resolutions were finally adopted with
out division. Tho debato upon them having
The Tariff Hill.
Washington, February SI.—[Special.]—Tho
ways and menus committco determined today,
by. a strict party vote, tbat it would hear noth
ing from delegations representing various in-
lert-Mts affected by tho Morrison bill after the
twelfth of March. Tho democrats on tho
committee all voted In flavor of shotting out
further evidence, while the republicans advo
cated a full discussion before the committee.
Washington, February 24.—Tho secretary
of the treasury has written to Representative
Morrison, chairman of the ways and means
committee, in regard to tho probable effect
the pSKfige of tbo Blorrison tariff bill will
have on tbe public revenues. In tho (otter ho
snyh that the net reduction, computed on tho
basis of last year's importations, wonld bo
about twelve million. In regard to the proviso,
limiting tho maximum of duties to certain aa
valorem rater, ho says it leaves room for
controversy on values, but thst
the values could bo approximately ascertained
by tbe customs officers. Ho suggests, how
ever, tbat provision bo mado by which tbe
valuation of inch officers should bo made Anal,
and not leave this important question to be,
in after years, subjected to the uncertainties of
trial in court, with tho consequent cost to the
people of refunds of duties. Tip aamo re
marks, he says, apply to those clauses of the bill
which fix the rato of duty according to the val
ue of the article. He calls attention to the
necessity of making more clear in some cases,
the exact article to which tho provisos apply, a
troublesome defect in the present tariff law.
He expresres the opinion that the provisions in
tho tariff acts fixing the rate of duty according
to the component material of the chief value,
adds to litigation, because of the
uncertainty of tbe meaning of that term when
applied to manufactured articles. There are
a number of suits pending, which involve this
question, and in them tbe secretary fears the
government will be defeated. Tbe term
earthenware, be says, la also open to miscon
struction. In a recent case it bss
been held to mean only hollo v
ware, or ware made in a potter’s
wheel, and If this ffoastniction should prevail,
glazed tile, for illustration,becomes anon-
enumerated manufactured article subject to
twenty per cent ad valorem doty. Attention
is also called to the uncertainty of the term,
broken or granulated rice, and the suggestion
is made tbat tho maximum size bo stated to as
to avoid controversy.
The secretaiy’s letter to accompanied by a
table prepared by the bureau ot statistics,
showing the reduction of duty effected by tbo
Morrison bill computed on the basis of imports
entered for containption for ths year ended
June 50,16h5. This table estimates tho de
crease in revenue from wood and wooden ware
at $1,080,000. chiefly by transfers to the free
lUts; on earthen and glass ware, $1,059,000 by
redaction of tbe rates of duty; hemp, jute and
flax, $1,605,000 by transfers to tbe free list,
and $744,000 by a reduction of tho duties re-
tained; wool and woolens, by a reluctlmi of
rates$1,315,000;sundries$1,498,000 by train-
fora to the free list; provisions $502,000 by
transfers and $552,000 by reductions; uietals
$411,000 by transfers and $323,000 by reduc
tions; sugars $10,177,000 by reduc
tions. Other changes effect a to
tal estimated reduction of $20,171,030.
Of the 2,648.000,000 pounds of sugar imported
into the United States during tho hut fiscal
year, 1,88(1,000,000 pounds, or seventy-four per
ceut came from Cuba, Porto Rico, Brazil and
British West Indies. Theso countries, accord
ing to tho latest advices from the departmen
of state, imposed an export duty on augar. If
such ii the fact, it is probable that eighty per
cent cf the ttignr imported for Inst year canio
fiom countries imposing nn export duty there-
ou. This would change tho figures in the
table of reduction on sugar from $10,000,000 to
$2,000,090. and the aggregate reduction of duty
from $20,000,000 to $12,000. Tho
imports of articles of timber and lumber named
in the bill, ns affected by the proviso as to ex
port duty, arc imported from Canada, which
couutry, bo (hr aslearned, Imposes no export
duty on tho articles specified. Therefore tho
proviso has little or no effect.
The Tehuantepec Ship Canal.
Washington, February 24.—[Hpeclal.]—
The house committee on commerce agreed to
day, by a vote of eight to five, to report fa
vorably Reagan’s bill giving tho gtiurnty of
tho United States to thirty-seven
million flvo hundred thousand dollars
worth of bonds in aid of Kad's Teh
uantepec Ship railway. This vote does not
indicate tho real strength of the soliemo in
the commitce,and to by no means tho measure
of ita chances in the bouse. O'Noal. of l'enn-
sylvania, and Johuson, of New York, who
voted to report the bill favorably, are oppoied
to it aud will vote against It In the house.
Looking After the Telegraph Lines.
BIr. Dockery, of Missouri, from tbo com-
mitteo on accounts, reported hack the following
resolution, which was adopted:
Resolved, That the commltte ou po-dofflccs and
pnetroedff i> hereby empowered to ascertain
whether additional lcglxlailon Is necessary to pre
vent a monopoly of telegraphic facilities, to secure
to tbe southern, western and Pacific states the turn-
ellts of com; ctitlou between tho telegraphic com
panies, and to protect tbo people of the Trailed
riates agalmt unreasonable charges for telegraphic
services. Raid committco is hereby authorized to
semi for and examino persons and paper*, to ad
minister oaths to wRiicmc*, and to employ sten
ographers; nnd the expenses for such Investiga
tions. not to exceed a total of fl.nools hereby au
thorized to bo paid out, of tho contingent fund of
tha houso. __
Washington Gossip,
Washington, February 23.—[Special.]—If
was pleasant to aco Allan G. Thurman on tb -
floor of tho sonato of tho United Statea one.
more, though ho was there only os a spectator.
Tho old gentleman walked In tho other morn
ing and bad quietly taken a seat on » sofa be-
sido Senator Beck before ho was generally ob
served. In a few minutes, however, he had
quite an ovation. A group of senators of both
parties stood around biia during tho half hour
of hia stay. Ho was in fino spirit* and evi
dently enjoyed meeting his old associates, somo
of whom ho had not seen since ho loft tho
scrikto five yearn ago. Ho is about seventy
now, but holds his own rcmarksbly well. Tho
last five years havo |*t&scd lightly over him.
BIr. Thurman is not a rich man, but ho is in
easy circumstances. Ho to coming to a green
old ago, splendidly preserved in all respects,
honored and loved more and more as life’* suu
sinks slowly towards Its setting,
Washington, February 21.—Tho national
educational association to iu session here. Fro-
frssor James A. Lovett, of Huutavillo, Ala,!
read a |«ipcr oil “National Aid to Education.”
Ho favored tho passage by cougresc of a bill on
this subject, uow ponding. la tho discussion
which followed, Jti-prosantotivoWJllto, of Keu
tucky, mado an earuoat speech in advocacy
of tbto measure, taking tho ground that con
gress can lawfully appropriate money or lands
for educational purnasca. Hon. Theodora
Nelron, of Michigan; lion. R. B. Morgan, of
West Virginia, uud lloti. H. M. Bkiuuur, of
Indiana, took part in tho discussion, Mr.
Skinner sold that during Jackson's admlnls*
tration tho western schools received substantial
money aid by authority of congress,
tbe right and constitutionality of
which was not at that time
questioned. 8. W. Fcngcr, of North Carol loot
read a paper on tho “educational and religion
Interests of tho colored peoplo of the south.”
He gave an exbaustivo review of tho actual
condition of the colored people today and their
past history, and from that drew his conclusion
as to how they should be educated. Uo held
that their condition was such that it would
not be practicable to havo mixed schools Tho
colored peoplo themselves did not want mixed
schools, and tho white people would not have
them. Tho colored |»egple wore not as anxious
today to educate their children se they were
just alter tho close of the war. They had
learned by experience tbat they hail to work
to gain a living, even with an education, and
tbo tendency now waa the other way.
TBE WBATBKR FLAGS AND TBEIB USE.
At tho metorological convention today, there
wea an interesting discussion on the merit of
the two systems of weather signals. Ono of
these have been put Into urn by tho national
signal office. It requires seven flags, Fat
NJcll, formerly of the Georgia agricultural de
partment, bat now state metorologlst of Ala
bama, has greatly simplified this by parfooting
a system or bis own, which requires only fodr
(togs. Uto system was explained and advocat
ed by himself and by Colonel Redding, of the
Georgia agricultural department, and will
probably bo adopted for the
uniform ro-operative work . .
to bo established by tbe various
statea aa auxiliary to the national signal ser
vice. Colonel Redding called attentiou to Just
complslnts that some of tho signal service re
ports from tho cotton states are iu accurate in
that, owing to tho improper exposnroof the
thermometer In summer, they often report too
great a heat. “Why,” said bo, “1 have seoa
reports sent from Georgia based on such folio
observations, which Indicated that it was as hot
there as it was here or in Ohio,” This created
considerable merriment. Commissioner lien-
derson and Colonel Redding are confident that
the convention will result lathe adoption of a
uniform system of weather observation and
signals, which will provo of great practical
benefit.
Washington, February 24.—The president
today withdrew the nominations of two post
masters, one in Connecticut and ono In Michi
gan.
goUcitor-Geneml Goodo asserts that tbo
charges understood to bgvo been filed against
him before tha senate judiciary committee ere
utterly folso. He sayi he has had no connec
tion, directly or Indirectly, with any election
frauds in Virginia or elsewhere, end indig
nantly denies that be has ever boen guilty of
bribery or other corruptpractices. The charge
tbat he received $500 for procuring an ofilca
for a man bo pronounces to be absolutely with
out foundation, in case specified or In any
other case whatever, lie attributee tbe
charges to Senator Mahone, who, be rays, to
hia personal enemy, and he also says ho courts
tbe fullest investigation by tha sonato.
The appearance of tho second volnme of
Mr. Btofne’s book is made the occasion for
parading him as tbe most available republican
leader for 1888, He baa evor watchful
friends In both houses of congress,
Who never lose an opportunity to advertise
him. A number of there enthusiastic admir
ers havo recently expressed the opinion among
republican congressmen that Blaine to tho man
to restore their party to power. That he to
anxious to bo nominated again to woll known.
He to today the favorite candidate of a good
majority of hi* party In congress, but many of
J. ar. high.
The Regulator and Controller of Low Prices,
Will mail sample* of all domes of Dry doods, and
payaspes—ago on all ©rdeis abort? tl0.oa You
will sort money and gst batter variety to satoct
jiom by writing us about what yon want and get
ting our samptasL Tbe largest stock In Atlanta and
the acknowledged lowest prices. 41 sad « White
hall street. Atlanta, Go. Mention thla.paptr.
OUR OWN COLUMN,
Short Talks With Our Readers
on Matters of Interest.
A Bandiom. Colored Poitor.
We have > large handiomo poator, printed In
red and blue, for ever, on, ot our agenta. it
la tb, banner of The CoxrrmrrioK and evorp
agent ought to bare one or taro put up in the
post ofllco or neighborhood «tor». It help,
wonderfully. Hare you ono? If not, send at
onco and wo will mall you ono. If you havo
ono and could uto another on, woll, nnd for it.
Wo want every agont to.Uaroono of our illum
inated posters.
Please Renew Tour subMripUon before your
lime Is out. -tbto presents your missing a single
number. Tbo printed slip on jreur paper tells
when the time ii out. Renew St lean one week
ahead, and bring a new subscriber with you.
Hon Who Know.
This paper may be tent you as a sample copy.
You may like ita looka, but want to know moro
about it bofora you teko It. Thit Is right.
Now, who are tho best men to toll yon iwout
Ur Clearly, those who have boon re > ! it,
and who know what it la ovary " md
every year, Uoro is tho unsolicited ' j of
heir a dozen subscribers. Iteadwh i <»y,
end If it convinces you, send us y» op
tion.
M. J. law to, Hartwell, Ga.:
Inu price of the panop
TintrusttiTiTtoK.
II. C. Spinks, Macon, (la.: I think Tna CoSsri-
tction, all In all, the lien weekly In all tbo
south.
Tioii to the best paper (hat conny 'to my hands. I
receive a number of papers published In dltP route
Samuel A. Williams, Crook P. O., Warren county,
N. IV. Permit me to meet heartily Indone the
many testimonial, sent you In reoummeodallou of
your most excellent paper. I have been a con
stant reader ornewanhpen Ibr forty rears, and can
Imlbrnlly say that I lisve new rrirl ant that la-
E. V. Moore,aillsrlDa,(la: lam making up a
club Tor you, which I wlU send In soon. I am de
lighted with your paper, and think It to the best
paper In circulation.
L, (I. Hendrick, Raster, 8. C.: Tue Wsaai.v
ComiTiTHiN haa more uewa for ono dollar ibau
auy paper In Ihc world.
Par Over Two Tstn,
THisucccsa orTHiCoHsrmmoK Waterbary watoh
to amaalng. By the hundred! they hare gone Into
every stale. Why not? A good watoh, accurate
timekeeper, for IlfiO to a miracle.
But doea It hut? That to tbo queatlon often naked
Here ta in answer from one who has tried It:
these
old
not
reprearnt the aentiinent of tho republican
masses. It Is the almost unanimous opinion
of democratic congrommen tbat Blaine would
be tbe suiest man to beat in 1888, and they
are heartily In favor of bis nomination. II,
keepn away from Waahington. Only once
since tbo presidential election haa he boon
Rut he fa kept si thoroughly
concerning attain at tha
capital aa If he wen occupying
hia splendid mansion on DoPont circle.
WAauxoTOR^Febiuiry 87.—It 1» estimated
that thvekas been a decrease of thttROOt In tbo
pobUcdeMduring the month of February, m-
stoo rayiHfiilf during Uw itw^Ii amounted to
abont tU,009,0001
Allan:*, Ga, formerly Pennington, <
Here ta plain testimony. For orcr two years thte
little Waterbury baa not slopped a minute. Not n
cent baa been spent on repairing It, though In the
same Ume Mr. Ball spent f£> getting his wlib's gold
watch repaired. At the end or two years .Mr. Ball
•ays: "I wouldn't take 130 for my Waterbury If I
couldn't replace It."
Our Waterbury to tho heat Investment you 'can
make. You ought to have ono, Yourwlfo ought
to have one. Your ion ought to have one. Only
I, at for tho watch, chain: charm and Ths Cow-
mTUTioK ono year. Where can yon beat that? Ot
H.C0 Ibr tho watoh and chain and charm alone,
lend at once and get one.
Our SIS Our.
Thotwulva dollar danbla-bamlod brooch-
loading shot gun tbat wo pnt on our premium
list a few weeks ago haa caught tho public^
and seems to be getting almost aa popular as
The CUKSTmrrio.N. We have sold scores of
them, and the universal verdict la that It la
tha best gun ever offered far tho money. Uoro
la ono of tho many lotto™ which each day’s
mail brings ut. Bead what Ur. Riven says,
and then decide for yourself:
II. 8. lllvers, Fairborn, (la.: This certifies tbat I
. hareuredH'buiSfiiSto Si? udttnd* t°rnuofiy
a* good. It gives aattolbotlon fn every respect
I Tbe Gun and Wuelv Oowemwion ono year
•IB; Gun alone gl».
How ta lava Thirty Dollars.
The sewing machine monopolists are howl
ing and robbing their sore spots because Toe
Constitution to selling for $18 with tho
paper thrown In, a batter machine then tbe
Singer, which to sold for $<B.
Last year we sold about 8,000 OoNrrrruno>
machines. Each machine waa lent out with
tbto guarantee: "Take cur machine, pnt it
elongates cf any machine that coat $45; work
them for ten daye. If ran to not hotter, In
looks and work than tho $45 machine^ wo will
refund your money.” Under this guarantee
only one of tho 2,000 machines waa retained
nnd we hear tbat rat came hack from a sewing
machine agent. We are selling more new
than ever.
If you want to save $30, buy our tnachfno.
II you bavo $30 to throw away, pay $45 for ouo
not as good as on re. Boo what those who bavo
tried oar machine lay about It:
to you Ibr your valuable paper sod machine.
J. II. Derrick, Jr., IBarton, On: The machine
ordered with Tin Consniwion, received, aad
give* |*ltact satisfaction.