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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.