Evening Star Newspaper, December 5, 1894, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAty EXChPT sunpay, AT THE LDINGS, 1101 Pennsyiva Iith Street, by per Company, Pres’t. or Building. ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the city by carrtegs, on their own account, at 10 per week, or 44 cents per inonth. Copi counter 2 cents each. By mail~ar United States or Canada—postage prepald—-50 ceuts month. Ve Quintup! 1 ith tore aia, 3 Witntared’ at the Peet (fice at Washington, D. C. he pata In advance, (Entered at the Post Office at non application. per year: as second-class ma‘l matte EF All mail subseript! Rates of advertising made IT IS NOW SETTLED There is to Bo No Paltial Legis- lation This Session. —_« DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS UNAVAILING Notification by the Republicans as to the Tariff Bills. — A PROBABLE CONFERENCE a It ts settled now that there is to be no political legislation « g the pr mortem session of this Congress. ccratic Senators having caucus; Purpose yesterday, will repeat exercise today if they gotner to make a d’scusston worth whi But nothing can come of thelr consid tion of the questio.:. It ts doubiful wheth. er they could agree a ; themselves on a cloture, even If there were any prospect of carrying out the plan they might adopt. It does not lio in their hands, however, to put into effact any program. Notification Serve ne dem- to no The republicans have notified them that none of the pop-zua tariff be assed, and that there ghail be no cloture Tul> adopted. It was anticipated by some democrats that the republicans might be willing to undergo the hardrhips of cloture during the few remaining months of dem- ocratic control in order to be able to avail themselves of the sume rule when It could be vsed to their advantage. However, while there are some repubiicans who would like to have previous question in the Senate, a very large number of them insist upon the preservation of the old traditions. Until they cre in a position to frame a complete pelicy for legislation themselves they are not prepared to per- mit indiscriminate legislation. republicans of the Senate will. certainly not put themselves in a position to be dom- inated by those men holdine financial views, who, being in both 1 might unite cn this one question. titude of the republicans in the therefcre, settles the f bills and of all other measures in there is a political question. No House Program Yet. No steps have been taken on the House eide yet toward fixing a program. It is evident that the state bank feature of Carlisle's financial scheme has beguiled a considerable number of the southern inflar tionists. The violent opposition which was antictpated does not find wide expression and many say that they are half inclined to favor the plan und they may try to get through the House the state bank features of it. They cannot, however, accomplisi legislation on the subject, and the most that 1s to be expected from it Is that it muy divide the silver men and break some of the tiles which bind the south and west together. Though it may be very short- sighted in them, the prosp ‘gement of the currency by any mea! whatever is pleasing to a guod many of the southern representatives. A Conference Next Week. It Is expected that next week there may be a conference uf the democrats in the House to decide upon their program. leaders will probably confer together in- formally at first and then prepare for a general conference on the financial ques- tion. If this conference is in the nature of @ caucus of the whole party, it Is probable that the silver men, while not absentng themselves from it, will hold a separate conference of their own. In anticipation of it there may be some harmony of ac- tion when the policies of the party are to be de¢ided on. ‘The favor which Mr. Car- lisle’s plan receives from the southern men, though it is lukewarm, ts a source ef anxiety to the radical silver men in all sections, The fact that some of the strong eastern men oppose the plan and that there is not a pessibility of legislation on the subject Leing compieted, does not re- Neve this feeling, since It {s'a possible di- vision of their ranks, and not legislation, that they fear. siall COTTON IN GERMANY. A Commission Appointed to Investi- gate American Cotton. It is not impossible that in the pursuit of its recently adopted policy toward Amer- fea the German government may take some action hostile to our cotton interests. In a report to the Department of Sta’ coming from the roundabout way of VI- enna, United States Consul General Max Judd states that the German government has recently sent a commission to study the cultivation and manufacture of cotton in the Valted States. It is to inquire into— First. Methods of cultivation and {mple- ments used therefor. Second. Improve- ments in machinery for preparing cotton | for markets. Third. Difference of condi- tions and cost of production of cotton be- fore and after the war. Fourth. The qual- ity of cotton before and after the war. The succe of the cotton-seed oil try and the cost of the production ton and the advantages possessed by southern states over England, New England and Germany in the manufacture of cotton, The prime object in view, the offictal repo the according to {s to determine whether cotton produced tn the United States meets the needs of the German manufactu- rer or whether it would be better to buy all or part of the raw cotton used in Ger- many elsewhere. ———————_+-e+____ OFF FOR CHEVY CHASE. A Select Party Inaugurates the Series of Coaching Trips. The Chevy Chase Coaching Club gave the first of {ts series of tri-weekly coaching trips this afternoom The “Columbia,” drawn by a bay and black at the wheel and a pair of bays in the lead, and tooled by Mr. Henry M. Earle, the vice president of the club, swung away from the Shore- ham at 2 o'clock with an inspiring series of blasts from the horn. Mrs. Clifford Perrir sat beside Mr. Earle, and the other ts were Mr. Perrin, Miss Helen Steele, Bugher, Mr. Mc and Mr. Luth ond. The destination was the Chev Inn, and as Mr. Earle is familiar the prettiest stretches of road be- with tween the city and the Maryland villagd, the trip will doubtless prove enjoyable w the party. —_—.__. Admiral Carpenter at Chefoo. Admiral Carpenter today cabled notice of the arrival of the United States steamer Baltimore at Chefoo to the Navy Depart- ment. It is assumed that he will proceed at once to Taku, at the mouth of the Pei Ho river, which is as near as he can get to Peking, where he will probably be met by the Monocacy, from Tien Tsin, and trangship marines’ to the latter vessel, which will then return to Tien Tsin. se nm Appointment. The controller of the currency has ap- jointed John I. Cox receiver of the First Ratidhal Bank at Johnson City, Tenn. The silver | e Fvening Star. WASHINGTON, D.C, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1894—TWELVE PAGES. ° TWO CENTS. THe proof of the pudding is (n fhe eating, Yesterday's © Star contained 49 cofumns Of advertisements, made up of 814 separate announces ments. Bese advertisers Space, Koib's Followers Want a Republican Form of Government. The Populist Leader in the Alabama Legislature Says Unless It Comes There Will Be a Revolt. Special Dispatch to The Fvening Star, MONTGOMERY, Ala., December 5.—The populist leader in the legislature, Mr. J. C. Manning, who has heretofore served as the counselor of peace in the Kolb movement, is now of the opinion that trouble will en- sue in thts state if the democrats continue to ignore the appeals of the Kolbites for Justice. The people of Alabama, the opposition even, have given me credit for being a conservativ? and peace-leving citizen,” said Mr. Manning. “I am for law and or- der. But if the present legislature does not provide for fair elections and a contest law to decide who is entitled to the office of governor, now in dispute, I am ready to cease advising against a popular uprising to overthrow existing conditions. The peo- ple are ripe for revolution, and in case the opposition further treats the popular will with contempt we will have it. “It is already threatened by the Oates administration that they will make the county officers in the populist countles op- pogition, and take the election machinery out of the hands of the people and place it in the hands of a partisan board, to be ap- pointed by the present ustirping governor. This policy of the opposition, if attempted to be carried out, will result in being over- thrown by an uprising of a now outraged people. They will prefer revolution to such o damnable oligarchy. One who wouldn't is an anarchist and a scoundrel.” “If the legislature refuses a contest law, an honest election law and if Oxtes carries out the policy outlined by his friends the people will have no hope outside of a forci- ble revolt. Kolb supporters wili sustain him in any great step he shall take, : Kolb means business. He nor his followers | beast or make threats. It is the bhallot- | box-stuffing thieves that are now doing the pomp act and the blowing and bulldozing. We counsel peace. We want peace. But, if they force us to war before we can get our rights, I am for war. If this is trea- son, let these ‘fraudocrats’ make the most of it. If the country thinks Kolb means child’s play or that the people who,are in this movement are not prepared for the fight to the bitter end, then a wrong view is taken of the situation. I speak advised ly, and I say we will have a republica! form of government in Alabama.” _—_— ASSOWIATED PRESS PREFERRED. Southern Newspapers Leaving Their Former Organization. ‘The Atlanta Journal has withdrawn from the Southern Associated Press and signed a ninety-year contract with the Associated Press. The leased wire service of the As- sociated Press will be extended to Atlanta next Saturday in order to supply the Jour- nal with the entire day report of the As- sociated Press and make Atlanta a news distributing center Cor the cities of Georgia and Alabama. The Journal has the largest circulation of any afternoon paper in the southern states and ranks among the best of afternoon papers in the United States The Columbia (8. C.) Register, one of the oldest and most influential dailies in the south, has also withdrawn from the South- ern Associated Press and signed a ninety- year contract with the Associated Press. The southern night leased wire circuit of the Associated Press has been extended from Richmond, Va., to the capital of South Carolina, passing through the cities of Danville and Charlotte, N. C., en route. The southern papers which have joined the Associated Press during the last week and receive the full leased wire service are as follows: New Orleans Picayune, New Orleans Times-Democrat, Atlanta Journal, Columbia, S. C., Register, Richmond State, Petersburg Index-Appeal and Norfolk Pilot. RICHMOND, Va., December 5.—The State this evening says: The State yesterday evening and today was overwhelmed with congratulations upon its new and superb Associated Press telegraphic service. No such afternoon telegraphic news service has ever come south before. It gives the rews right up to date. More Join the Associated Press. CHICAGO, December 5.—The following papers in Texas have abandoned their former telegraphic news service and com- menced taking today a report from the Associated Press: Sherman Register, Den- ison Herald, Corsicana Jight, Corsicana Observer, Texarkana Texarkanian, Hous- ton Age, Houston Press, Marshall Star, and Paris Advocate. —__ NO FINANCIAL LEGISLATION, ‘fhat is the Opinion of Congressman Dingley of Maine. Congressman Dingley of Maine, who is recognized as one of the leading financiers of the House, states that there will not be any financial legislation at this session of Congress. He thinks that while finan- cial matters may recelve considerable d cussion indirectly, and while every one will be thinking about them, no definite action can be taken in the short space of time re- maining in the session, Mr. Dingley indorses the general idea outlined in the President's message, and thinks that while some dotails of the new scheme will not receive favorable action the idea of an enlarged national bank currency will form the basis of action when Congress takes the matter up. He ts of the opinion that a financial scheme based upon the flexible national hank cur- rency would be the most feasible, but that care would have to be taken not to permit any connection of the scheme with state bank currency. ——_—_—_+-o+- DISTRICT IN CONGRESS. Phe Firemen’s Petitfon. Chief Parris of the fire department pre- sented a mammoth petition of the cttize: of Washington to Congress today praying for an increase of 25 per cent in the pay of the firemen. The petition was bound in book form, and contains 26,543 names. Smithsonian Regent. Mr. Springer (Ill) has introduced in the House a joint resolution for the appoint- ment of Martin F. Morris of the District of Columbia as regent of the Smithsonian Institute, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of James C. Welling. Pia eee The Utah Commission Report. The report of the Utah commission, un- der date of September 1, was received at the Department of the Interior today. The report is for the fiscal year ending June 30, 18M. The Utah commission is the board of registration and elections, created in 1892, and has complete jurisdiction over the registration of voters and conduct of elections. The report treats of the duties of the commission, and contains a com- plete resume of the local elections of 1898-94, ee Fourth-Class Postmasters. The total number of fourth-class post- masters appointed today was forty-nine. Of this number forty-three were to fill va- cancies caused by death and resignations and the remainder by removals. | will Mr. | the administration's TO TAKE THE STUMP Carlisle Will Advocate His Finan- cial Scheme in His State. A LIVELY CAMPAIGN LOOKED FOR The Senatorship to Be a Factor in the Contest. MR. BLACKBURN AND SILVER It is stated upon yery excellent author- ity that the understanding between the President and Secretary Carlisle on the financial question, not only with regard to the scheme proposed, but as to the pro- gram for pushing it to final decision, is full and complete. According to this authority, they are not depending altogether upon the present Congress. They would be glad of favorable action at this session, but if it fs not taken the scheme will neither be modified or abandoned. Both are looking further ahead, and their plan is, if neces- sary, to carry, the question into the differ- ent state conventions to be held next year, get local democratic expression on it and thereby preserve it for an issue, and may- be the leading issue, in the next presi- dential campaign. Carlisle Will Take the Stump. If this course should become necessary there are indications that Mr. Carlisle will take an active hand In the campaign, and that one of the most important contests of the year will occur in the democratic con- vention in the Secretary's own state of Kentucky. He will, of course, desire to carry his home people with him, for to be beaten at home on a line of his own fram- ing would prove a most discouraging re- sult for the cause in the other state cam- paigns, and subject it to the danger of gen- eral defeat. This matter is already the subject of some lively discussion in political circles. ‘Those familiar with the situation in Ken- tucky declare that the task of committing the democracy of that state to a policy that fs not distinctly favorable to silver will be one of the most difficult ever under- laken. Mr. Carlisle ts conceded to be very influential in his party's councils at home. But the fact remains that the Kentucky democracy has been educated on free sil- ver views, with the late Senator Beck and the present Senator Blackburn as its chief instructors, and the opinion is expressed that this is not lightly to be regarded in considering the probable attitude of the party there on the prominent question as now presented, The Senatorship a Factor. A point of importance and of undoubted interest is that in the Kentucky elections next year the question of a successor in the Senate to Mr. Blackburn will be thrown into the scale. This, in a measure, will overshadow the interest felt in the state ticket itself. There will be at least half a | dozen candidates for the place, Mr, Black- burn himself among the number. The senior Kentucky Senator is popular and a very aggressive man at home. He has made more than one canvass of the state on the silver question, and in the last con- vention for the nomination of a state ticket, in 1801, he led the silver forces on the floor and secured the adoption into the platform of a strong declaration in favor of free coinage. The Cleveland wing of the party was led by ex-Congressman McKenzie, now minister to Peru, and a very bright and able man. Silver, however, with Blackburn as the orator, swept the board easily How the Silver Men Feel. The silver men appreciate the fact that Mr. Carlisle’s name carries more weight than McKenzie’s, and they are no little disturbed by the rumor that the Secre- tary’s present purpose 1s to take the stump at home next year. He made no speeches in the campaign recently closed, but in the next campaign he intends to go before his oid neighbors and render an account of his national stewardship. The rumor is that he will fill engagements in every part of the state, and not only advocate the scheme of finance he has devised, but re- ply at length to most of the criticism under which for nearly two years now he has felt obliged to remain silent. The opinion 1s expressed that this ap- pearance of Mr. Carlisle in the Kentucky canvass will inevitably, if it 1s not so de- signed, make him a factor in the senatorial race. And this will add materially to the energy of the canvass, and to the straight drawing of. the financial line. In such circumstances there can be no evasion of the question by anybody. If the Carlisle scheme is approved, then, of course, Mr. Carlisle, as {ts author, must reap the ben- efit of the winning, and the senatorship, should he desire it, would, it is believed, go to him. But if silver nglds its own; if Mr. Blackburn succeeds in Fallying his old followers with the old cry, then not only Blackburn succeed himself, but financial policy’ will fave received a dangerous blo The President Will Back € The administration and its friends stand ready to back Mr. Carlisle. His state- ment of the case is thoroughly and cordial- ly indorsed, and nobody with more en- thustasm than that employed by the Pres- ident. In conversation with another mem- ber of his cabinet on the subject of Mr. Carlisle's report, Mr. Cleveland, it is said, pronounced it to be one of the ablest state papers he had ever read, and declared that nobody could, with advantage, add a single word to it. He intended, he said, to stand up to the case, as there presented, to the last extremity. THE B. rlisie. —o AND 0. TRACKS. Messrs, Frizzell and Tucker Confer With Members of the Committee. Messrs. Frizzell and Tucker of the North- east Washington Citizens’ Association were at the Capitol today in conference with the members of the House District com- mittee relative to porsible action upon the Baltimore and Ohio railroad bill at this session. Taey say they propose to hold the railroad company to its promise given at the lest session to present the draft of a bill early this session which will be ac- ceptable to the railroad company. Mr. | Frizzell said to a Star reporter today that he is anxious to get the comp ny before the committee in some manner, and to have the bill taken up for action. He will continue to make every effort to prevent the bill being pigeorholed until the Congre aS RSane eer Serene rsonal Mentio Mr. H. P. Godwin and Mr. E. D, Easton left this afternoon for.a trip to Cuba. Mr. Easton expects to return at once; Mr. Godwin has planned to remain on the island for several weeks Mr. Hugh Grugh, who succeeds Mr. Gos- chen as first secretary of the British em- ba: is at the Everett, having arrived Sunday evening, with wife and two, chil- dren. Charles Neilson, third assistant posimas- ter general, who ‘has been il! Denis Md., for some time, is reporte improy- ing. Mr, Paul Bunn of the civil service com- mission is lying dangerously ill at his home. THE BRAZILIAN TREATY Oorrespondence With Minister Mendonca Sent to the Senate, Secretary Gresha’ the Reciprocity the correspondence wit the Brazilian min- ister here, in reference|to the time of ter- mination of the Brazilian reciprocity ar- rangement, about which there has been some controversy. The correspondence bégins with a note to Secretary Gresham fromm Minister Mendon- ca, of date September 24 last, in which the minister notifies the Secretary that his government has informed Mr. Thomp- son, United States minister at Rio, of its intention to terminate the agreement, in accordance with the stipulation therein contained regarding its duration, so that the termination shall take effect January 1, 1895. In response, under date of October 26, Secretary Gresham comments upon the fact that the Brazilian government deems it necessary to terminate the treaty on January 1. He says that the act of Au- gust 28 last repealed these agreements where they were inconsistent with its pro- visions. Consequently, notice of an in- tention to terminate t was not contem- plated and was unnecegsary by reason of their immediate termination. The minister's note, however, seems to imply that the United States and Brazil had contracted an obligation not to ter- minete the arrangeme@mt except in the manner stipulated in thé negotiations lead- ing up to it. The Scefetary proceeds to discuss that question at some length. He quotes from the co ondence, among other things, the paragraph accepted by Secretary Blaine, proving that the ar- rangement should remain in force so long as neither government should definitely, at least three months in advance, inform the other of its intention to terminate it at the expiration of the indicated time; provided that the termination shall begin’ elther on January 1 or July 1. Thg Secretary argues that this arrangement rested wholly on legislation adopted by the two countries, and was subject to such legislation. It is not suggested that the McKinley law con- ferred on the executive @ny power to bind Congress in its future action as to duties. Governments are expected to take notice of the provisions of their respective con- stitutions, and the Constitution of the United States points the way in which treaties may be made—first by the Pres- ident and then by the ddvice and consent of the Senate, In the few cases in which reciprocity treaties have been ratified dnd carried into effect by the United States they have en- countered criticism and*opposition on the ground that they restricted the exercise of the treaty making power. Therefore it cannot be assumed, in view of these well- known principles of law and fact, that It was intended by the simple exchange of notes in 1891 to bind our government as by @ treaty beyond the time when Congress might, in the exercise of its constitutional powers, repeal the legislation under which the agreement was co At is as- sumed that the stipulati the notes re- ferred to in relation to the termination of the arrangement was made with reference to the power invested in the President to suspend the provisions touching free entry under certain conditions, to be determined by himself. In conclusion, the Secretary says that the friendly disposition of this government toward Brazil is attested by its present tariff legislation, placing the great bulk of Brazilian exports on the free list. Whil our imports from Brazil from 18) to 180% increased to the extent of nearly seven- teen millions of dollars in value, our ex- ports to that country in 1898 show an In- crease of less than half a million dollars over 1890. e THE INDIAN TERRITORY. Serator Berry's Bill to Provide a Temporary Government. The bill introduced in; the Senate today by Senator Berry to provide a temporary government for the portion of the Indian territory occupled by the five civilized tribes provides that a territory shall be formed to be known as the territory of Indianola. Among the first provisions made is one to the effect that at any time in the future the boundaries may be changed or any portion attached to any other state or territory by the action of Congress without securing the consent of the Inhabitants of the new territory. The bill provides for a governor and a secre- tary for the territory, a delegate to Con- gress and a legislative assembly, the lat- ter to be composed of a council and house of representatives, the council to consist of twenty-one members and the house of forty+two, the sessions to be held biennially and to*continue for sixty days. The terri- tory is to be divided into twenty-one coun- ties. All male citizens of the United States who are actual residents and over twenty- one years of age are to have the right to vote, as are also male Indians who are cit- izens of any tribe in the territory. It is provided that no law shall be passed by the legislature interfering with the pri- mary disposal of the soll or with the titles of the Indians of the various tribes or their mer of holding the same. Indian homesteads are made inalienable and are exempted from taxation. ‘The bill provides for a complete judiciary system and adopts a large number of the laws of the state of Arkansi All provisions of treatjes heretofore made by the United States with the civilized tribes, except so far as the treaties re to land titles, are abrogated and repealed, and all governments established by the tribes are abolished. The lands now held tn common by the several tribes are to be divided in severalty among the members of the tribes, each to have a homestead of 160 acres, and after this division the residue ig to be sold and the proceeds divided among the Indians. oi DETRING’S MISSION, ‘s Envoy Was Received in Japan. A dispatch from official Japanese sources, giving an cccount of Commission- er Detring’s peace mission, has been re- celved here by a gentleman in the diplo- matic service. It follows: Detring, commissioner in the Chi- nese customs service at Tien Tsin, arrived at that place on the 26th of Novermber and expressed the wish to personally deliver to Count Ito a letter frem the Viceroy Li Hung Chang. As, under the circums' this proceeding was considered and contrary to usage, Count Ito ri MR. How Chin meet, Mr. Detring. At the same time, Mr. Detring received telegraphic orders from Prince Kung, president of the Tsung Yamen, recalling hima to China. Accordi: ly, he left Kobe on the 35th of but before going he sent the viceroy ter to Count Ito by pest. The objec letter was to ascertain the conditions upon which peace may be rest ed that Li Hung Chang hac fon of the Empcror of China to t m of Mr. Detring, which had fer object the purpose of écnfidentially arcer- tairing the views of the Jananese fovern- etring’® sudden return te orders fram he ‘Tsung li Yamen apgears to thro upon the Eee of this ate | | | | | | | tern ° {and it ts the general o 3 reform measure Ww! Wronsury It TEN-DAYS’ ARMISTICE |(48°R ARBITRATIONISENATE AND HOUSE Rumors at Shanghai of Temporary Peace. NEGOTIATING TERMS OF SEPTLEMENT Has Japan Demanded a Regularly Accredited Chinese Envoy? AT THE JAPANESE LEGATION ——_. —_— SHANGHAI, December 5.—It is rumored here that a ten days’ armistice has been arranged between China and Japan, and it is said that the terms of peace, which are still under negotiation, are to include an indemnity and the formation of a buffer state, consisting of the country now held by the Japanese. - China now fears the winter more than Japan, as the supplies of rice have been kept back too long. LONDON, December 5.—The Times has. a dispatch from Kobe, Japan, stating that several thousend Tonghaks attacked the Japanese troops at Kong-Ju, in couthern on November 28. Tho Japanese were victorious, and the Tonghaks were slaughtered wholesale. Two of the leaders of the rebels were killed. At the Japanese Legation. The Japanese legation officials declare that they have received no recent informa- tion from their government indicating the course which affairs are taking regarding a settlement of the war. While nothing has been received to show the latest step which Japan is said to have taken—that is, noti- fied China that no further peace proposals will be considered unless made by a regu- larly accredited ambassador from the Chi- nese court, yet it is believed that in all probability such action has resulted. If so, it has very likely been done through the medium of the American ministers, who have been the channel of preliminary peace proposals. This is not regarded at the legation as any snub to the ministers, but as simply the carrying out of Japan's contention that if China desires peace she must send a properly accredited representative to conduct negotiations to that end. The work of the American ministers will have been accomplished by concluding the pre- lUminaries, and the actual negotiations for peace be taken up by officials properly authorized to conduct them. In this connection it may be noted that | the Japanese government feels well sat- isfled with what has been accomplished by her as the results of the war. The inde- pendence of Corea has been practically established, and the payment of an in- demnity by the Chinese government is pretty well assured, particularly as Japan 1s so well intrenched on Chinese — soil. While the Japanese are prepared to march on Pekin, it is felt here that Japanese statesmen hesitate somewhat about at- tempting to overturn the present Chinese dynasty and undertake to reconstruct the government. Such work of’ reconstruction would in- volve a tremendous responsibility, and in viaw of such a possibility and preferring not to assume it if it can be avoided, the Japanese are for peace, the demand for which, hewever, must originate with China. At the State Department, At the Department of State it, is satd that no news has been received to the effect that Japan has insisted upon dealing directly with a properly accredited Chinese ambassador. It was fully expected, how- ever, that this would be the next step in the negotiations. The American ministers will have fully discharged their duties as mediators in bringing the two hostile na- tions to a direct conference touching terms of peace, and it was not expected that they should themselves arrange the con- ditions of the treaty or act further except in the possibility of a serious disagreement between the principals which might lead to the mutual and voluntary reference of points in dispute to the American min- isters. ——— THE FUNERAL JUNKET. Senator Peffer Proposes That It Shall No Longer Be Possible. Senator Peffer is after even more fame than that which accrues to him as the owner of the most luxuriant beard in Con- grees, or as the author of the most radical financial bills that have ever been present- ed to the national legislature. He seeks to become known as the man who smashed the funeral junket. Should he accomplish his aim he wovld be more famous than the world-renowned man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo, For many years it has been the custom for Congress to furnish a formal escort of Representatives and Senators on the oc- casion of the funeral of a member of either heuse, and there has grown a@ suspicion, based somewhat upon the size of the bills that have followed each event of this kind, that these funeral parties are not such mournful episodes as they might be. Stories have become current of empty champagne cases and other relics of jovial embellishments. They maiy be lbels upon the congressional character. or they may be true. Of that Mr. Peffcr is not now on record, although he may be later. But Mr.’ Peffer, who is nothing if not an conomist, thinks that the prevailing mortu- customs of Congress are too costly, not to mention other objections that he ‘may have against the more ethical features, and so he has prepared a bill, which, If it | should become a law, will surely make Mr, Fetfer noted as the Demolisher of the Funeral Junket. ‘This bill, unlike many other products of the bill-mill of the Kansas statesman, 1s brief and quite to the point. It provides simply that whenever, during a session of Congress, a Senator or Representative shall dic within the District of Columbia the house of which he 1s a member shall ap- point a special committee of its members “to properly prepare and encase the body of the deceased and forWard it, in charge of a sergeant-at-arms, specially appointed, to the home of the deceased and deliver it to his family,” or to relatives or friends. A second section provides that no action re- quiring the expenditure of public money other than thus provided for shall be taken. This would he a most radical restriction upon the funeral privileges of Congress- men, In the first place, there would be no escort furntshed if the member or Senator should die when Congress is not in ses- ion, o> at any utside of the District. his is a very narrow limit to place upon the matter. Congressmen are not always so accommodating in the times and plac of their But even the reduced circum- eral party of ten | or a dozen Senators presentatives is | to be made impossible . Peffer's bill. | The ions of the ‘ort of © ne merely those of pa n the junket of 2 to a junket of one, a mere hi The bill goes to th: lttee © at The ol funer: s many earers in the city, dozen is t ived fer Govern revenue cellaneous, $) nal demption ceiy customs, bank n sit int es re- today, From terior has returned to the commissioner ef the general land office the motion filed lin behalf of Kellogg, with directions for Proposed Conference on the Bill Providing for a National Commission. Committee Expresses Con Some Action at This Session. Labor Commissioner Wright will have a conference tomorrow with Chairman Mc- Gann of the House committee on labor, Representative Springer, author of the perding arbitration bill, and Representative Erdman, who wrote the favorable report on the bill. They will go over the question of arbitrat- ing strikes, with a view to outlining a pro- gram for immediate action in Congress. Mr. Wright's experience in the presidential commission which recently investigated the Pullman strike is depended on to give practical form to the plan of national arbi- tration, It has heretofore been urged theo- retically, but the report of the commission, based on inquiry and experience, recom- mends such federal arbitration as the sur- est remedy against labor agitations and strikes. It had been hoped that President Cleveland would in his message give spe- cifie approval to the plan of arbitration recommended by the strike commission, but he confined himself to an approval of the work of the cornmission. Chairman McGann says of the prospects of passing an arbitration bill this session: “IT think such a bill will go through the Senate and House without difficulty. There seems to be a general feeling, with- out reference to party, as to the opportune- ness of such a measure. Under ordinary circumstances it would be difficult to get through such an important bill at a short session, but the feeling is so ripe tor action that 1 expect it to pass both houses. The Springer bill now reported ts almost iden- tical with the recommendations of the presidential strike commission. Mr. Wright will be asked for suggestions to perfect the bill, and then there will be a united effort to secure speedy action on the subject.” Provisions of the BAIL Briefly, the bill provides for the appoint- ment of a permanent board of arbitration, consisting of three persons, one of whom may, in the discretion of the President, be the commissioner of labor for the time be- ing. ‘The term of their office is fixed at six years, and their salaries at $5,000 a year, and their appointment shall be made by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The arbitration is secured on the petition of one of the parties to a controversy, and when neither party asks for it there 1s no compulsory arbitration, but on the application of a state legislature the President may tender the ottices of the national commission. The power of the commission to settle strikes is detined in the bill as follows: “The said national board of arbitration | shall have power, when in thelr discre- tion the public interests require it, to in- vestigate the causes of all controversies and disputes between employes and their employers in the Ugited States as they may occur, and the conditio:is accompany- ing them, and the best means of their ad- justment; whether such controversies and disputes ‘are submitted for arbitration or not, and to report thereon to the Presi- dent of the United States, who shall from time to time transmit such reports to Con- gress. Said board shall have power to settle and adjust by conciliation all such disputes and controversies so far as it may be possible to do so.” It is pointed owt that the moral effect of a settlement proposed by the national commission would be sufficient to make it effective, and that this would be better than drastic measures to compel accept- ance. pe a A NEW PRINTING OFFIC Mr. Bankhead Thinks the House is Ready to Pass a Bill, Chairman Benkhead of the House com- mittee on public buildings and grounds has already commenced efforts to obtain legis- lation to provide for a new government printing office. Mr, Bankhead does not lcok for very much legislation at this ses- sion upon public buildings bills, but he thinks that the House is ready and willing to pass the printing office bill as soon as the disagreement with the Senate upon the matter of a site can be compromised. “I shall endeavor to have a conference with the Senate members of the public building committee this week,” said Mr. Bankhead, to a Star reporter today. “I shail do everything in my power to bring about the passage of the bill. I think that every one in the House realizes the abso- lute necessity of providing a new printing office, «nd that they appreciate the danger of permitting another year to pass with- out furnishing means for the commence-4 ment of the work. I don’t know about the terms we will be able to make with the Senate, but I hope we can reach some kind of an understanding which will put an end to further delay in the matter.7 sechtn aie eee ae eee RAILROAD BONDs. No Action Probable at This Ses: * Commress. Within the next month the government Will be called upon to pay $2,000,000 of Pa- cific railroad bonds. It will be the first pay- ment made by the government on bonds, issued years ago to subsidize the building of the railroads across the con- tinent. They ran for long terms, and these terms are now about to mature. The $2,- 000,000 next month will be followed by another $2,000,000 next November. The rail- roads are primarily responsible for the payment of the bonds, but as they were issued and gueranteed by the government, Congress has anticipated by its effort to fund or extend the debt that the govern- ment would have to meet the maturing bonds, Chairman Reilly of the House committee on Pacific railrouds does not believe that a solution of the Pacific roads’ debt can be reached at the present short session of Congress. The committee labored with the problem throughout the last session, and evolved a bill, known as the Reilly’ bill, by which a settlement gatisfactory to the | government and the roads seemed possible. | The bill is now on the calendar, but the interests involved are so vast that Mr. Reilly does not believe they would be pass- ed upon during the hurry of a short ses- sion, although he would be glad to have his bill eracted. It is probable, therefore, that the Pa- cific roads problem will be inherited by the republican Congress assembling a year | hence. It will then be an imperative ques: tion which can no longer be deferred, as two issues of bonds will have matured be- fere the next Congress opens. It will be | necessary, therefo' to arrange a speedy plen of funding or extending the bonds, or €lse provide for their payment. PACIFIC jon of these ¢ Investigation, In the land case of Mattie Moore against N. A. M. Kellogg, the Secretary of the In- a more complete investigation of certain of the allegations rade in said motion, to the end that the case may be readjudicated. The land involved iz in Los Angeles dis- trict, California, within the primary lim- s of srant made to®aid in the con- struc the Atlantic and Pacific rail- road. also within the indemnity lim- its of the grant to the Southern Pacife railroad, Mr. Lodge's Resolution Provokes Considerable Discussion. MR. VEST ON CHANGING THE RULES Senator Peffer Speaks Against the Recent Bond Issue. ROUTINE IN THE HOUSE a neniare There was not a quorum*present when the Senate met today, but as there was no demand for a quorum business pro- ceeded with a limited attendance. Bills were introduced by Mr. Berry (Ark.), to form the territory of Indianola out of por- tions of the Indian territory; by Mr. Dolph (Ore.), to exempt from duty foreign exhibits at the Portland, Ore., exposition; by Mr. Hunton (Va.), to remit the fines and penalties on the naval ships York- town, Baltimore, Newark and Philadel- phia; by Mr, Dolph, to forfeit unearned public Jands granted to railroads; by Mr. McPhersong(N. J.), by request, for an in- vestigation of the merits of the plan for a “unit of labor.” The venerable Mr. Morrill (Vt.) arose at this point, and with much earnestness in his tremulous tones stated that on Wed- nesday next he would address the Senate on “Some marvelous senatorial bills and some quack panaceas for real and im- aginary ills.” Mr. Lodge’s Resolution. ~ The Vice President laid before the Sen- ate the resolution of Mr. Lodge, calling on the Secretary of State for information as to the execution of two Japanese students by Chinese authorities while the students were under the protection of the United States. Mr. Sherman (Ohio) said that a question of this delicacy should go to the com- mittee on foreign relations. Mr. Lodge said he appreciated the deli- cacy of the question. He reviewed the hideous cruelties to which the Japanese students were subjected while under the protection of this country, and said if ‘the facts were as had been published some one was very much to blame. If they were not this government should be vin- dicated trom the charge. It was a ques- tion on which the honor of the American people was involved. He did not object, however, to letting the foreign relations committee handle the resolution. Mr. Sherman urged that the Senate should not take up questions of this mo- ment, either by calling for information or by debate, cn unofficial publications and without the scrutiny of a committee. Mr. Chandler (N. H.) suggested that, as the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Morgan) was chairman of the foreign relations com- mittee, it would be well to know if he saw any objection to securing speedy informa ion, Mr. Morgan's Objection. Mr. Morgan, replying, stated that the resolution evidently gought to censure or blame some one—the Secretary of State, or the President, or our consuls in China. Moreover, war was now progressing be- tween China and Japan and it would be yn- wise to take any action which would ap- pear favorable to one belligerent or the other. It had been sald peace overtures had been made through the United States. It would be unfortunate to interrupt such overtures by precipitate action in the Sen- ate. Mr. Chandler asked why it was that this was referred to as such a “delicate” mat- ter. The resolution simply sought facts. It was charged that these students were in an American consulate, under the protection of the United States flag. That protection had been violated, according to the reports, The facts of the barbarous tortures to these students should be known, and they should not be covered up by any appeal to deli- cay Mr. Morgan said his main objection to th resolution was that it was predicated on a! impeachment of the President or Secretary of State. Mr. Lodge's Sharp Reply. Mr. Lodge answered with much vigor that he had not intended to present any ims peachment or make an attack. But thé outrages on these students, under American Protection, was established by unimpeache able authority, and it remained only to es tablish it officially. “This country has done ® good deal of meddling in this China-Japan controversy,’ said Mr. Lodge, sharply. “It began by warning Japan concerning her advances in Corea. From that time we have been med+ dling—constantly meddling. Mr. Morgan stated that a meeting of the foreign relations committee would be called at once to consider this resolution if it was sent to the committee. On this assuran Mr. Lodge made no objection to its refers ence, and it was thereupon referred. Mr. Peter's Speech, Mr. Peffer (Kan.) then secured the floor for a long and carefully prepared speech, which he read from printed sheets. It re« ferred to his resolution calling for informas tion as to the action of the Secretary of the Treasury in issuing bonds and arraigned public officials for perfidy and usurpation of authority. At the close of Mr. Peffer’s speech the resolution was adopted without division, 1t asks the judiciary committee to inquiré into the action of the Secretary of the Treasury in issuing bonds. * Troops and the Strike. Another resolution by Mr. Peffer for ine formation from the President as to the use of United States troops at Chicago during the Pullman strike brought out consid erable debate on the question of its refers ence to committee. Mr. Peffer wanted it passed at once, without the delays of a reference to a committee. Mr. Chandler H.) supported Mr. Peffer's contention, ow that the President had Congress on his hands,” said Mr, Chandler, “it would | be well to get all this and other publio information at the earliest moment, so | that Congress could proceed to deal with them.” Mr. Pugh (Ala.) called attention to the fact that the grand jury at Chicago was making an investigation, so that it would be detrimental to public interest to require the President to give information on the strike subject. The resolution was referred to the judis clary committee. Vest on the Senate Rules. Mr. Vest (Mo.) then rose and addressed the Senate on the need of a change of the Senate rules. He modified the form of his former resolution so that the committee on rales are to report by December 15 @ plan for closing debate. Mr, Vest said he formerly oppcsed cloture. But he was now convinced that cloture was inevitable, and that it should be effected as soon as possi * ble. The question was thoroughly unders stood, having been debated for years, 60 that the Senate was in a position to act at once. When the Senate numbered forty members there was no need of cloture, but with the Senate-increasing #0 that its niembership would soon reach 100 it was Imperatively necessary to have @ rule bringing debate to a close. In reality the present rules stifle debate. Senators will not debate a question when they recoge nize the hopeless opposition under which they labor. “These rules encourage parliamentary: