Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, December 24, 1898, Page 3

a — | WORK OF CONGRESS Washington, Dec. 13.—Discussion of two questions, each of interest and im- portance at this time, was begun by vhe senate at its session yesterday. ‘Territorial expansion and the construc- tion of the Nivaragua canal occupied the attention of the body during the greater part of the. afternoon. As soon as the routine business had been disposed of Mr. Vest called up his res- olution offered last week declaring it to be unconstitutional for this govern- ment to acquire foreign territory ex- cept for coaling stations or for some like purpose unless its intention was to confer statehood upon the territory and citizenship upon its inhabitants. Mr. Vest declared that it was a basic principle of this government that the powers of the government were de- rived from the consent of the gov- erned, and maintained that the federal government had no authority either in morals or in the constitution to go be- yond that principle. He held that the principle had been sustained by the supreme court in various decisions and that no public man of prominence and no recognized tribunal had ever been reckless enough to controv it. Mr. Platt of Connecticut took issue with Mr. Vest and announced that at some convenient time in the near future he would offer some remarks upon the resolution, in the course of which he would endeavor to show that the Mis- souri senator was wrong in his inter- ation of the constitution and tnac- e in his deductions from the law. Mr. Morgan opened the debate on the canal bill with a three-hour appeal for action at this session, The whole country he said would be disappointed if congress did not act. He was will- ing to take any measure which would result in the building of the canal. In the course of his remarks he agreed to accept an amendment specifically ex- epting the canal from neutrality with regard to any country with which the United States might be at war. In the House. The house spent the larger part of he day on District of Columbia busi- The bill to relieve the condition an seamen was taken up but omplished. of Amie nothing w Washington, Dec. 14. session of the senate was largely con- i in discussion of the Nicaragua Mr. Turpie made the prin- nh in opposition to the bill, acking it on the ground that it is in the interest of the ime company, which he characterized as a fraud and rupt. He moved postponement of the matter until after the holiday Morgan defended the bill time company and op- » motion to postpone. Messrs. nds Rawlins both offered amend nts ma ally affecting tho Previous to the proceedings upon canal bill Mr. Morrill made an ad- dress in support of the bill authoriz- ing the purchase of a_ site for a su- preme court building, and this and se other bills were passed. In the House. vt passed the District of appropriation bill without a rendment, The bill carries § 0, which is less than the esti- rates. The house also p: ed the sen- ate bill to amend the laws relating to men. All the amendments were re- jected. Yesterday's recess. and the ed on, Dee. 1 house Washi — The ye r the second time during th ised to consider the Loc At the last session an attempt was made to take it from the speaker's table, but it was defeated by a large majority. Mr. Danford of Ohio, chairman of the im- migration committee, thought the bill would be stronger after the elections were over, but yesterday when he tried again to secure consideration the house declined—100 to 103—to take it up. An interesting but brief debate on the rules w precipitated during the session by Mr. Grow of Pennsylvania, during which Mr. Dearmond made a speech on the decadence of the priv- ilege of debate in the house, and held Speaker Reed respcenrsible for the fact that the house had had no opportunity to adopt a new system of rules at this session. The speaker replied with a sarcastic speech in which he referred to the complaints of John Randolph in the early days of the century to show that the same remonstrances were made then that were being heard now. In the Senate. The uan canal bill held its place as the principal subject before the senate again yesterday. Speeches w made by Messrs. Harris, Money, Stewart and Morgan. Mr. Money urged postponement of the question in order to permit an opportunity for ne- gotiations with Great Britain for a modification of the Claytou-Bulwer and Mr. Morgan antagonized proposition. An agreement was ched to vote on the Turpie post- 1t motion to-day. Other ques- tions before the senate were: The gov- ernment’s pension policy and the bill ding the registry of foreign-built ecked on the i rhe pension discuss ited by Mr. Vest. The regis- went over until to-day. pr try bill The urgency 'y de ney appropriation bill makin: g provision for the army and navy for the next six months displaced the Nicaraguan .canal bill in the sen- ate, preventing even the taking of a yete on the question of postponement until after the holidays as had been in- tended. The deficiency bill was passed after a spirited discussion turning principally on the point of keeping the volunteer soldiers in the service. The House. Washington, Dee. 16. — The house yesterday surpassed all previous rec- ords in the expedition with which it passed the pension appropriation bill. ‘This bill in days gone by has been one of the most fruitful themes of acri- monious partisan debate, but yester- day, although carrying $4,000,000 more than the act for the current year, it was passed in twenty minutes with- out a word of criticism. The house then entered upon the consideration ot the bill to incorporate the Internation- al American bank. This project was recommended by the Pan-American congress of 1889. An arrangement was effected for a vote upon the pass- age of the bill at 4 o’clock to-day. It was supported in debate yesterday by Messrs. Brosius, Adams, Lacy and Walker, Reps., and opposed by Messrs. Jenkins, Rep., and Cox, Driggs, and Bartlett, Demé. Washington, Dec. 16.—The bill to in- corporate the International American bamk was buried under an over- whelming adverse majority of the house yesterday. The debate upon the. measure was concluded at 3 o'clock. Mr. Dingley, the floor leader of the majority; made an argument in its,support. The other speakers were Hill of Connecticutt, in its support, and Messrs. Bell, Sulzer, Maxwell, Maddox and Swanson in opposition. ‘he yote by which the bill was de- feated stood 103 ayes to 148 noes. The bill to extend the customs and revenue laws of the United States over the Hawaiian islands was passed without opposition. The bill, Mr. Dingley ex- plained, carried with it the civil laws relating to appointments in the cus- toms and revenue service in Hawaii. As this bill simply sought to do what he believed had-in fact been done by the act of annexation, it was proper that it should pass and pass promptly. Mr. MeMillin (Dem., Tenn.) used the bill as a text for some remarks upon the Dingley revenue law in which he claimed that the revenue provided by it was insufficient to meet the ex- perse of the government. Mr. McRae (Dem., Ark.) offered an amendment designed to extend all the general laws of the United States over the islands. He said there were other laws in Ha i which should be abrogated be- sides the customs and revenue laws. Among them were the labor and the land laws. Mr. Dingley begged Mr. McRae not to complicate the question involved in the bill. The bill was then passed without division. The house then, at 4:20 p. m., adjourned. CAUTIOUS DIPLOMAT. Japanese Minister Not Ready to Talk on Alliance Questions. Washington, Dec. 18.—The Japanese minister, Mr. Jutaro Komura, in an in- terview, said that he could not com- mit himself in favor of such an alli- ance as that suggested by Senator Davis in Paris between the United States, England and Japan. “The international alliance question is a great one,” he added, “and is ab- sorbing the attention of every nation on earth. I cannot say whether I am in favor of such an alliance as is Sug- gested by Mr. Davis.” The minister spoke of the vast ad- vantage of these undertakings, and said he had no doubht that sooner or later there would be alliances between the various countries in some form or other. It would make little difference in just what form they might be made. The interests of England, Japan and the United States are almost identical, and the understanding between them, the minister thought, might prove of great benefit to all. Stanford Estate. San Francisco, Dec. 18.—Jane L. Stanford, executrix of the estate of Leland Stanford, filed in the superior court her final account, accompanied by a petition for final distribution of the estate. She reports that all debts against the estate of ‘the late senator, aggregating $1,183,174, have been paid. All the legacies, amounting to $5,115,- 009, have also been paid. All litiga tion has been disposed of in favor of the estate, except the so-called inheri- tance case now pending before the su- preme court, and in which $230,000 is involved. With the consent of the court ample provision will be made to meet this tax should the court finally determine that it is legal and payable. The executrix expresses the belief that the estate is in condition to be closed, and the residue and remainder dis- tributed. Likes Our Ways. London, Dec. 18.— The marquis of Salisbury, the premier, at a banquet in his honor at the Constitutional club, said, among other things: “I haye often felt the need of such an institu- tion as the United St foreign rela- tions committee. It is impossible here, but it must be a great advantage to a minister to be able to meet persons not of his own political opinion and to ex- plain to them the reasons for his action.” Lovd and His Little Bill. Washington, Dec. 18. — Chairman Loud, of the house committee on post- offices and post roads, has re-intro- duced the bill relating to second-class mail matter and known as the Loud bill, with an amendment allowing the mailing of sample copies of newspa- pers at one-half cent for every two ounces, stamps being attached in ad- vance. To Succeed Brice. New York, Dec. 18.—In financial cir- cles the name of George F. Baker, the well known banker of this city, is men- tioned as the probable successor of the late Senator Brice as president of the Lake Erie & Western. Its Final Session. Washington, Dec. 18.—The American Humane association at its final session re-elected its officers. Vacancies among the vice presidents will be filled by the subexecutive committee during the year. Another for Marks. Chicago, Dee. 18—C. W. Marks, of Joe Patchen fame, bought Phenol, 2:17 1-4, at Span-Newgass_ sale, for $1,250, paying the highest price of the day and adding another to his string of great pacers. Surprise Their Friends. Winthrop, Minn., Dec. 18.—C. A. Benson, cashier of the State Bank of Winthrop, and Miss Annie Jackson, were married in Minneapolis yester- day. It was a surprise to their friends here. : The Omaha World-Herald has sent by telegraph $1,000 to the First Ne- braska regiment, located at Manila, and $1,000 to the Third Nebraska regi- ment, commanded by Col. Bryan at Savannah, Ga. This money is con- tributed by over 3,000 people and is christmas dinner. THE CHRIST-CHILD. HIS world has whirled on in its way For nineteen hun- dred years, Since Bethlehem’s babe, who came in Love, Wept over us His tears. Still swings above the golden star That on that night stood still Above the humble village inn, By the Judaean rill. And wise men'seek the path today The crowned Magi found— The mother heart of womanhood Makes that, Earth’s holy ground. The singing angels hover now Above the manger, there. i Where God’s light shone upon His brow, The Prince of Peace so fair! The wondrous story, never old, Thrills on the wakened heart, Who led us to His Heavenly Fold, ‘Who walked from men apart. Awake, today, in spirit strain, The song that never dies! Find out that glittering star again, The scales dropped from our eyes! For God’s dear love is potent now Ags when His reign began; The chanting of the seraph band Shames restless heart of man. Here, in our midst, the Heavenly Dove Seeks an eternal rest; Descending from His throne above To hide within each breast. Wake! Better Natures, sleeping long! Cast off the thralls of sin! List to the choiring angels’ song And let the White Dove in! Mute by the graves of vanished hates, Greet all in love today! Lift up your brows with hearts elate, And meet Him on our way! —Richard Henry Savage. Aa aS TOM HERE did the Christmas tree or- iginate? This is a question that doubtless would puzzle most people to answer. It came to us from Eng- land, and it is pret- ty well settled that it was taken there from Germany, for the custom of setting up a tree hung with gifts at Yule-tide was by no means universal in Britain until after the marriage of Queen Victoria to a Ger- ‘aan prince. But prior to this there was a sort of Christmas tree in England. The “Waseail bob,” a bunch of holly or other evergreens on a pole, decked with ribbons and hung with oranges and apples, and sometimes bearing a pair of dolls, was carried about in York- shire at Christmas nearly a century ago. And until 1830 the “besant” was escorted by a procession with music at Shaftesbury—it being a tree-shaped framework covered with ribbons, flow- ers and peacock feathers, on which were hung jewels, coins and other ar- ticles of value, loaned by the local gen- try. ‘Hutchins’ history of Dorset states in 1803 that the decorations of this “besant,” or “byzant,” or ‘“‘bezon,” as it was variously called, were sometimes worth as much as £1,500. These and kindred customs prevail- ing in the England of a century ago are generally regarded by archaeolo- gists as survivals of tree worship, which seems to have existed every- where. ' Germany probably received the tree from Scandinavia, where the ancient legend tells of “Yggdrasil,” the ash, which binds together heaven, earth and hell; its branches spreading over the whole world, and reaching above the sky; its roots running in three di- “THE WASSAIL BOB.” rections, one to the Asa gods in heav- en, one to the Frost giants, and the third to the under-world. In the far East, Japanese sacred books, written a dozen centuries ago, relate how the gods pulled up by the roots on the mountain Kager the Saka tree, on the branches of which they hung jewels, a mirror and blue and’ white peace offerings to the shining goddess of the heavens. The Hindoo Parijata and Kalpavris- ksha yielded all the objects of the de- sires of gods and mortals, and so, too, did the Iranian MHarvisptokhm, “the tree ‘of all the seeds.” _ % At cremation ceremonies in Bud- dhist Siam a framework representing a tree, to which are tied limes and nut- shells containing money and lottery tickets, occupies a prominent place, and after the rites these “fruits,” which are called “karaphruk,” are scrambled for by the crowd. . In Upper India the scavenger caste’ carry in processions, in honor of their god Zahir, a bamboo framework deck- ed with bright colored cloths and pea- cock feathers, and hung with fans and bunches of cocoa nuts. Lucian described trees covered with ornaments and sacred attributes which were brought each year to be burnt offerings to the goddess Atergatis at Hierapolis of Syria; and he told also of great trees, loaded with goats, sheep, garments and gold and silver objects which were burned before the Syro- Phoenician gods. Conventional, or “made-up” ‘trees are pictured on Babylonian cylinders, and one of the bilingual hymns trans- lated by Prof. Sayce describes how the “Place of the Tree” (of which these pictured trees were undoubtedly sym. bols) is the central spot of the earth, while its fruits—obviously the stars— are of brilliant crystal and reach into the liquid vast.” The pine of Cybele and Attis is still to be seen on the ancient bas reliefs, hung with bells, a reed flute, a wheel and other objects, and there are sacred birds among the branches and a ram FROM A BASRELIEF. and a bull standing beneath, ready for sacrifice. Pictures and other votive objects were attached to the laurel of Apollo. Summing up all the evidence, it cer- tainly seems that the Christmas tree hung with gifts has descended to us from the times when decorated trees laden with offerings were worshiped as representatives of the abstract “Universe tree,” whose trunk was the cosmic axis, whose roots were in the under-world, and whose branches, lift- ed aloft into the skies, bore up the heavenly hosts. The custom of decorating the church- es with greenery at Christmas had its origin in a pagan ceremony. The great feast of Saturn was held in De- cember, when the worshipers hung the temple with such green things as they could find; and the Christians adopted the same method to celebrate the birth of the Savior, giving it an emblematic turn by referring to the “righteous branch,” and justifying it from Isaiah 55: 18-—-“The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree and the box together to beautify the place of my sanctuary.” The holly, or holy tree, is called Christ’s thorn in Germany and Scan- dinavia, from its use in church decora- tions and its putting forth its berries at Christmas time. THE YULE LOG, Christmas day in the primitive church was always observed as the Sabbath day, and, like that preceded by an Eve, or Vigil. Hence our pres- ent Christmas Eve. On the night of this Eve, people were wont to light up candles of an uncommon size, call- | .4,. iq ed Christmas candles, and lay a log of wood upon the fire, called a Yule log or Christmas block, to illuminate the house, and, as it were, to turn night into day. This custom is still kept up in the north of England. The size of these logs of wood, which were in| held, and Nels Nyhus is ¢ MINNESOTA ITEMS U : Plenty of snow in the Minnesota pin- eries makes skidding easy, and lots of teams are at work. ‘The ladies of Fergus Falls will sup- ply every needy family in their town with a good dinner on Christmas. J. V. Brower has presented to the state historical association his valuable collection of some 16,000 specimens. The state printing commission has reappointed Capt. C. C. Whitney ‘state expert for another two years. Ex-Goy. Merriam is mentioned as a possible successor to Secretary of the Interior Bliss. United States deputy marshals have been exonerated by officials who in- vestigated charges against them at the Leech Lake outbreak. Factory reports from the labor com- wnissioner’s office show a considerable decrease in the number, of accidents dae to machinery. Insane hospital trustees and the state beard of corrections and charities ate unanimously opposed to a fourth hos- pital. Robbers ransacked the Milwaukee depot and a saloon at Adams, and then tried to enter the Bank of Adams, but were foiled by a man with a shotgun. Peter Shield was strick by a falling tree and instantly killed. He was em- ployed at the Barnes camp, just east of Menhaga. special election held at Pelican it was voted to bond the vil- lage for $14,000, for electric lights, wa- ter supply and town hall. The high school building at Marshall burned recently. It is a total loss, thing being saved. ‘The loss is about .000, with an insurance of about 000, W. D. Parish of Houston was killed at Ramsey while coupling cars on the ce ed over him Milwaukee road. and a freight lengthwise. The drug store of Holden & Hamre at Granite Falls was found to be oz fire recently. The wareroom was com- pletely destroyed, and the rear part of the store proper badly scorched. Wa- ter did much damage to the stock. G. ‘Olson loon, next door, was also bad- ly damaged. All Josses are covered by insurance. Ma al Joseph Thomas of Pine City reports an extraordinary number of tramps, having had some sixty already during the month of. December. He locks them up as soon as he finds that they belong to the tramp fraternity, if in the evening, and hustles them out of town during the daytime. Many of them try to spend-the night at the de- pot till thrown out by the operator. R. B. Allen of Chatfield very narrow- ly escaped a serious accident rec 4 He w coming in from the country in He slipped on the train a cutter, and met a runaway team be- longing to a hor hermer- ran over “r named horses 'The runaw Allen, throwing him from the cut- bones of his wrist one leg. a grain buyer of Pine- , di ting the and badly injuring Jesse Kilpatrick, Altoona, twelve miles north of stone, was saulted, recently Charles Kiesberg, a section m: Burlington, Cedar Rapids & He secured $200 after hard tu and fled, leaving Kilpatrick in a er al condition. Kiesberg is still at large. In the United States court at Duluth an action has been beguu by George W. Thayer against the 7 of Little Falls. He secks to prevent an issue of bonds of $60,000, recently voted by the people of that city, to build a water and light system. It is evidently a fight between the city and the Little Falls Eleetric and Water company. Floyd &. Little, aged forty-six years, and a farmer of Spring Lake, Blve Earth county, committed suicide by shocting hin if through the heart while temporarily insane. He made his home in Mankato during the win- ter, and was at his sister's house when he took his life. Deceased leaves three brothers and a married sister, Mrs. F. S. Bragden of Fegus Falls. Sheriff Peterson of Ada arrested Dr. Shrender of Shelly, charged by one Dryodal with having sold him a bottle of whisky. The doctor had charge of Botton Bros. & Moen’s drug store. He was taken before Justice Hintze at where he s bound over to the - Botton going on his Ad bend. The first farmer in the vicinity of Fergus Falls who has this far taken advantage of the Nelson bankruptcy law is J. J. Bakken of Akron, Wilkin county, who has filed the necessary pa- pers in the office of L. A. Levorsen, deputy clerk of the United States court in tbat city. Mr. Bakken’s liablities amount to $700 and his assets to a small fraction of that sum. There has been a ra of 10 per cent in the wages of the Palmo and New- port mines, on the Gogebic range, bringing these mines up to the seale adopted by the Norrie Tilden Dec. 1. The average increase in wages at large iron mines has been 40 per cent in the last twelve months. A few mines on ranges are still paying the scale of Dee. 1, but will be forced to adyance soon or lose their men. A co-operative company is being formed at Duluth fer the purpose of manufacturing wagors and sleighs On a large scale. A meeting was recently rman and fact great trees, may be imagined from J. Allyn Scott secretary ef the prelim- the fact that in the time of the civil | in> wars of the last century, Capt. Hosier burnt the house of Mr. Haghmond Abbey, near Shrewsbury, by setting fire to the Yule log. At the bringing in of the Yule log at Christmas Eve in the ancient castle of England, the great hall of the castle was profusely decorated with ivy and | branch of the Geat Nothern, As soon as the log was | Arrow holly berries. lighted the Christmas festivities be- | gan. ‘The servants were then given a general holiday and did not go to bed at all, but rambled about until the church bells called them to prayer at 12 o’clock. The word Yule signifies organization. None but stock- holders in the company can be em- Barker: of | Picyed. and provision will be made to | prevent the stock p: ssing into the con- trel of any one person. The plant will be at West Duluth. A car load of passengers at the rear of a’mixed train on the Pelican Rapids escape near Fergus Falls. A rail broke after the engine had passed over, and six freight cars rolled down ' a steep embankment into the Pelican : river. The breaking of & coupling | Saved the passenger coach from fol- | lowing them. The front trucks ‘of the coach were dragged from the track be- Christmas, which was called in the, fore the coupling gave way. There Latin or-Western church the Feast of © Lights, because they used many lights were no injuries. Estimates cf state institutions for or candles at its celebration in honor ' genendants exceed $1,000,000. of Christ, the Light of all Lights,