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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (March 27, 1900)
VOL. "XL. NO. 12,258. PORTLAND, OREGON, TUESDAY, MARC& 2.7, 1900. PRICE FIVE CENTS. CAPE NOME MINERS Use -Crack Proof and "Snag Proof' Rubber Book. "Gold Seal" Oil Clothing Rubber Blankets, Steam and Suction Hose, Etc, Etc. year Rubber Company F. H. PEASE, Vicc-Pres. tnd Manager THE MOST COMPLETE STOCK OF In the City at Retail and Wholesale. Newest, Best and Up-to-Date Goods Only. Agents for Volgtlaender Colilnear Lenses. BLUIV1AUER-FRANK DRUG CO., 144-148 Fourth SJ, Near Morrison Fu rs! Furs! Furs! Manufacturers of Exclusive Novelties in Fine Furs, ALASKA OUTFITS In Fur Robes, Fur Overcoats, Caps, Gloves, Moccasins, etc. Highest price paid for Raw. Furs. G. Pa Rummeiin & Sons, Orecon Plionc Main 491. eoo umce jjpljjjtl n n n t.triro oaoK . ----.J S . ET S-. r public buildings, residences. ire and Iron rencing xeSriots' etc- AU !nds oi PORTLAND WIRE & IRON Perfect as a bev erage or medicine. Prevents chilk and tones up the system PURE BERNHEIM BROS. Louisville. K. Y. Ovmcrs and Controllers. OTEL PERKINS Fifth and Washington Streets . . PORTLAND, OREGON EUROPEAN PLAN . Rooms Single 75c to $1.50 per day First-Class Check Restaurant Rooms-Double $1.00 to $2.00 per day Connected With Hotel. Rooms Family 5L50 to $3.00 per day J- F. DAVIES. Pres. St Charles Hotel CO. INCORPORATED). FRONT AND MORRISON STREETS PORTLAND, OREGON American and European Plan. PHA We are making a special display of Phaetons this week two or three springs, cloth, leather or morocco trimming. The greatest variety ever ex- . hibited in the city. We'll fit them with rubber tires and sell them to you at lower prices than any retail dealer can buy Phaetons from any other makers. STUBEBAKER Carriages, Wagons, Harness, 320-338 E. Morrison St. lPIsoola Renders it possible for any one to play brilliantly on the piano. Come and sec it. You will be interested. THE AEOLIAN COMPANY," ftlarquam Building Cor. Seventh Street 73 and 75 first St. Portland. Or. ic Goods 126 SECOND ST., near Washington. Established 1S70. POULTRY NETTING AT LOW PRICES r WORKS, 7th and Alder Sts. HMS Exhilarates and does not poison LX BLUMAUER & HOCH 110 Fourth Street Sole Distributors for Oregon. C T. BELCHER, Sec and Treas. American plan..., European plan.... . ..$1.25. $1.30, $L75 ... 50c. 75c. 5L00 FRY'S SQUIRREL POISON Kills the Squirrels And Saves the Grain. Ask for FRY'S, and usa it now. For sale by druggists and general merchants. Prepared only by DAN'I J. FRY, Mfff. Pharmacist, Sa lem, Or. FOR MICE. FRY'S S. P. Is the greatest destroyer of mice on earth. Put up In boxes containing enough to kill &00 mice. Price 10 cents. BIAJMAUER-FRANIC DRUG CO., Afrents Portland, Or. ETONS 51 Pointer Nature doesn't give many pointers or warnings of fail ing eyesight; those warnings neglected may prove fatal to your sight. Tou don't know what perfect sight is until you lose it. Hold on to It as long as you can by taking care of it Come in and let us examine your eyes, that you may be sure they are right. Tou can change your glasses, but not your eyes; therefore take care of those you have. WALTER REED Ere Specialist 133 SIXTH STREET OREGOMAN BUILDING NEW COLUMN STARTS Strong Force Leaves Kimbcrley for Griquatovvn.1 OLIVIER ESCAPES FROM FRENCH New -of Roberts' Advance From Bloemfoatela. Is Hoarly Expected. SlafeklBs: Not Relieved. LONDON, March 27. 4:15 A. M. Military observers here, and even those In close affiliation with the War Office, are con siderably confused as to what la being done lor the succor of Mafeking. Some 5000 or S000 men are engaged with Lord Methuen at Warrenton and Fourteen Streams, and now another column is about leaving Klmberley, If It has not already started for Griquatown, 105 miles westward. Its ostensible purpose Is to drive out the Boers. The force Is de scribed as a "strong one," and the expe dition is "likely to attract much atten tion." General French Is reported from Bloem fontein Sunday as returning from Tha banchu without apparently having headed oft Commandant Olivier, with his 15 guns and miles of baggage. Boer horsemen are in contact with the British outposts from Blggarsberg to War renton. General Buller's patrols had a sharp skirmish Sunday at Wascbbank. Lord Roberts' Infantry has now been quiet for 14 days, and news of an advance is hourly expected at the War Office. Messrs. Wolmars, Fischer and Wessels, the peace envoys from the Federal forces, are duo at Naples In a few days. After visiting two or three European capitals, they will go to New York, via Antwerp. It Is understood at The Hague that they are Invested with large powers, and are prepared to agree to anything looking toward intervention. i The Times prints a statement from. Cape Town to the effect that the Boers, after deducting heavy losses, are probably una ble now to put more than 30,000 men on the fighting line. DELAGOA BAT AWARD. Portneral Ready to Meet It Without Borrowing:. LONDON, March 26. It Is learned that Portugal Is quite prepared to meet the Delagoa Bay award without borrowing money. Current reports that Great Britain intends lending the Portuguese Govern ment money in exchange for privileges at Delagoa Bay and Belra are declared to be incorrect. The British Government has re ceived no Intimation in regard to the award tocay. and has no information of its terms or when they will be announced, but It hopes to receive this Information during the current week. The- same con dition of affairs in regard to the award prevails at the American Embassy, where the securities of the claimants are depos ited. On all sides It is said the long de lay In reaching a decision has had the most serious effect upon the principle of arbitration. The Times declares that the confisca tion of the Delagoa Bay Railroad must be attributed to the Inability of the Portu guese Government to "resist the unscrup ulous pressure exercised by President Krugei." In support of this proposi tion, It publishes extracts from the secret correspondence. In a dispatch dated July 14, 18S8, the Portuguese Minister at The Hague, said: "The Government at Pretoria presses as an absolute condition of signing the frftntler convention the fixing of December 1 next as the date within which the Por tuguese company must construct the last section of the railway to the frontier, the alternative being the concession of a tram way to the Transvaal from Lourenco Marque to the frontier." The Times remarks that the pressure prevailed, and the decree, which resulted in a forfeiture of the concession, was issued. i BERNE, March 26. In semiofficial cir cles Mt is asserted with reference to the Delagoa Bay arbitration, that there is no foundation for the statement that the question of increasing the sum granted for conceded territory Is under considera tion. On .the contrary, the total amount of Indemnity to be paid by Portugal was fixed some time ago, and the court of ar bitrationas cabled yesterday is now con cerned solely with the division of tha award among those Interested. MAGNITUDE OF TIIE TASK. England's "Work In Sontli Africa Ilsa Only Began. LONDON, March 27. Spencer Wilkin son, in the Morning Post today, warns the public against blinding themselves to the magnitude of the task which has yet to be performed In South Africa. He then refers to the fact that an immense dis tance has to be traversed, and points out that only the smaller portion of the Free State has yet been touched by the British advance. "It is quite possible," he says, "that the Boers may be able to prolong the cam paign for several months, and the British advance, though It must have a crushing effect, can be carried on only by the per sistent exertions of those in the field and Of those at home. Another task which does not appear to grow easier on nearer acquaintance Is the settlement of the dis tricts disturbed by rebellion. The pacifica tion of these must be difficult, owing to their vast extent. Little can be done until Sir Alfred Mllner Is authorized to announce the government's decision as to how rebels should be treated and how loyal colonists are to bo compensated for losses. There should be, of course, no policy of revenge, nor will the government forget that its first duty to Itself is to vindicate Its au thority. The sooner these decisions aro announced, the sooner will the trouble di minish." Winston Churchill, in a dispatch this morning from Cape Town, urges a gener ous and forgiving policy toward the rebels Instead of yielding to the demands of the loyalists for severe treatment. He says: "The Dutch traitor Is less black than the renegade British-born burgher, but both are the results of our own mistakes and of crimes in Africa in former years. Un less actually caught fighting, rebels should be treated with the utmost leniency and .generosity." Boer Rcoccnpy Fnpkuel. 1 BARKLT WEST, March 26 A command of 400 Boers has reoccupied Papkuel, forc ing the Boers in the Herbert district to rejoin the Federal flag. Extensive loot ing Is reported in that direction. Jonbert Full of Hope. PRETORIA, Friday, March 23, via Lour enco Marques. General Joubert has re turned from Kroonstad. He is full of hope, and may return to Natal shortly. The Expedition From Klmberley. -LONDON, March 27. The Cape Town correspondent of the Daily Mall telegraphs Monday, March 26, saying: "A strong expedition will leave Klmber- ley tomorrow, primarily for Grlquatowm. Its movements ore likely to attract con siderable notice." French at Bloemfonteln. BLOEMFONTEIN, March 25. General French has returned from Thabanchu, having failed to engage the Boers, who are trekking northward. WRECKED BY ITS CASHIER. Rutland, Yt., Bank Cloned The De faulter in. Jail. RUTLAND. Vt.. March 26. With its doors closed fast and its cashier, Charles W. Mussey, In Jail, a defaulter for 5145,- XXX), the Merchants National Bank, of this city, formerly one of the strongest Insti tutions in the state, stands tonight on the verge of ruin, unless its stockholders come to its assistance and help with the re maining assets to pay off the $331,000 due Its depositors. Mussey confessed his guilt to the entire Board of Directors, having come back from Albany at the solicita tion of a local detective, who traced him to that city when he failed to appear be fore his employers late Saturday afternoon. He remained in close detention in the bank all day, practically under arrest In a civil suit brought by the bank for 550.000, but tonight the United States authorities, after an examination Into the bank's af fairs, formally arrested him on a charge of embezzlement and lodged him In the County Jail. It Is unoeretood that the Circuit Gourt has placed his bail to 5100. 000. Coincident with Musseys confession came the closing of the musical store of H. A. McClure, Jr., the business of which, according to the confession of the cashier, hao been supported wholly, or In part, by the funds of tho bank. Mussey's peculations began six yeara ago, and were so well covered up that the National Bank Examiner was deceived by the cashier up to only a few months ago, the entire deficit being mado to ap pear good through a large number of forged notes which Mussey Inserted. Mus sey told the directors today that he lent McClure 52000 six months ago, and that the amount was returned. Since then, however, other loans were made, without tho knowledge of the directors, until 'the same becamo half as much again as the entire capital stock of the bank. Still tha Directors remained In tho dark and would have remained so If one of their number last week had not heard from an outslda source of Mussey'o loans to McClure. Tho inevitable day arrived last Satur day, when Mussey was called before tha board and asked for the bank's assets. Mussey put on a bold face and at onca offered to go across tho street to tha safe deposit vault for the securities. Tho directors waited an hour for him and then sent for a detective. The cashier went from the bank to hli house, whero ha took a few hundred dollars and left tha city. The detectives caught up with hlra yesterday in Albany, and persuaded him to return without extradition papers. The directors in the meantime had learned of the shortage, but none was ready for Mussey's statement that the total amount was 5145.000. While the di rectors had 'already decided to close tha bank, none of them was prepared for such a largo shortage, and Mussey's statement wa received with consternation. This forenoon, after Mussey had mada his confcwlon. the Directors instituted, a suit against him for 550,000, attachingaH his property, which, however, is not ex tensive. In the meantime, the Bank Ex aminer arrived and spent tho remainder of the day in examining the books. This afternoon sufficient evidence was found to lead to an arrest, and a warrant was IfGued by the local court Mussey was taken quietly to the Jail, and will be ar raigned tomorrow before the United Statel Commissioner. Late this afternoon, 'Bank Examiner D. D. Mulr was appointed tem porary receiver of the bank. Tho closing of McClure's music stora accounted for part of Mussey's shortage, but It is generally admitted hero that tho store has been run on far leas than 5145.000 during the past six years. Many persons found themselves unable to recon cile Mussey's statement that the money had gono into .the business, the volumo of which was known. Explanations are looked for within a few days. ASK FOR ASSIGNEES. Ttvo New Unmpiliire Banks in a Shaky Condition. KEENE, N. H., March 26. The Bank Commissioners for New Hampshire have filed a petition with the Clerk of th Cheshire County Supreme Court asking that an assignee be appointed for tho Keene Guaranty Savings Bank, of this city, and a petition of tho same nature for the Keene Five-Cent Savings Bank. The finances of both these institutions have been considered uncertain for some time, and neither bank has received deposits of late, owing to a general belief that they had sustained losses through Western in vestments. The Keene Five-Cent Savings Bank has paid depositors one dividend of 10 per cent. It owes 51.449.05S. The Keene Guaranty Savings Bank has paid depos itors a dividend of 5 per cent. The Insti tution owes 5718.S73. The petitions of the Commissioners will come up for a hearing at tho April term of court. 9 POLITICS AT SANTIAGO. Whito Cubans "Unwilling: to Submit to Negrro Control. SANTLVGO DE CUBA, March 28. A meeting convened by tho various po litical factions last evening, with a view of effecting an agreement on candidates for the approaching elections, broke up in a riot- When the time came for nomi nating candidates, it became apparent that the colored element was larzely pre dominant, and would absolutely control the meeting. The whites then, became personal and a fight was started, which the police had difficulty in suppressing. Ultimately the meeting broke up in disor der. Today many white Cubans announced their Intention of organizing an annexa tion party. They say they would prefer the Cuban flag, but they are not willing to submit to negro control. t LORD SALISBURY APOLOGIZES For the Opening: of ex-Consul Mac ram's Mail at Durban. NEW YORK, March 26. A special to the Journal and Advertiser from Washing ton says: Lord Salisbury has apologized to the United States for the opening by the Brit ish censor at Durban of mall addressed to ex-Consul Charles E. Macrum, at Pre toria. The apology will be 6ent to tho House committee on foreign affairs by Secretary of State Hay, when Mr. Mac rum's case against the State Department is beard. i a e Train Wreck in Alabama. ATLANTA Ga., March 26. The fast mall oil the Atlanta &. Westport Railroad, which, left Atlanta at 5 o'clock for New Orleans, was wrecked between Westpoln and Opelika, Ala. Express Messenger Os Un was killed and Baggageman Blunt badly Injured. An engine carrying sev eral physicians left here for the scene of the wreck. The train at the time of the accident was running at the rate of 0 miles an hour. All traffic Is at a stand still on the road. STILL FAR APART No Agreement on Puerto Rican Legislation. REPUBLICAN SENATORS CAUCUSED Tariff Men Believe the Free Traders Will Vote For the Bill to bo Amended by Foraker, WASHINGTON, March 26. The Repub lican members of the Senate spent two and a half hours In caucus today in an effort to reach an agreement upon the Puerto Rlcan legislation now pending In the Senate. The caucus was apparently, however, without material result, the only accomplishment being a decision to pro ceed with tho general bill as It now stands, without separating the tariff feature, and to discharge th harmony committee from further efforts. During the sitting, the freo traders on the one hand and the ironbound tariff men on the other, were quite as obdurate as they had been at tho previous meeting. This condition of affairs was made so man ifest that Senator Allison, acting as chair man of the caucus, declared at the closo of the meeting that there was no necessity for putting a motion to continue on past lines, as It was very evident that no other course was practicable. Senator Foraker was instructed by tho caucus to press the Puerto Rican bill as It now stands, the governmental bill In corporated with the tariff measure, to as speedy a vote as possible. The under standing at the time this Instruction wag given was that 3enator Foraker would of fer an amendment to the tariff feature of the bill, adding tho free list named by tho. President In an executive order to tho exports going from the United States to Puerto Rico duty free, but that the 15 per cent of the Dlngley law carried In tho House bill upon goods coming from Puerto Rico to the United States would be re tained. There are a number of Senators who will oppose the bill even with the amendment recommended. They are. it Is stated, Sen ators Davis, Beveridge, Hoar, Wellington. Mason. Simon, Proctor and Nelson. It was also said that Senator Kyle, who heretofore has acted with the Republicans, and Senator McCumber, of North Dakota, will not vote for tho House bill until amended, but It Is believed they will vote for the amended proposition. Two Sena tors named In the list of the eight, first given are claimed by friends of the tariff measure as almost sure to vote for tho amended bill, leaving no Republicans who will vote finally against the measure. It Is claimed that two or three votes will bo secured for the tariff measures from tho ranks of the opposition parties In the Senate, and that In this way a majority will be secured. While there has been a great deal ofjils cusslon among Senators as to what tho House will do when the amended bill I ?en.t.Qye.r4 tberotho only result has been ardftciIon that the Senate must act as seems best under the circumstances, and tho bill. If It passes, must take Its chances in the House. DAVIS' SUBSTITUTE. A Bill Providing for Free Trado With Puerto Rico. WASHINGTON, March 26. Senator Da vis has introduced a substitute for tho Puerto Rican bill which provides for free trado between the United States and Puerto Rico and "extends tho Interna tional revenue laws, with amendments, over the Island. The act Is declared pro visional, and shall not continue longer than two years. The bill In full Is as fol lows: "Section 1. That Puerto Rico Is hereby made an internal revenue district. That the laws of tho United States providing for internal revenue taxation and collec tion, not locally Inapplicable, are hereby extended to, and shall remain In force In Puerto Rico, excepting as herein other wise provided, for the term stated in this act. The President, by and with the con sent of the Senate, shall appoint a Col lector of Internal Revenue for the said district, who shall receive an annual sal ary of 54000, and whose office shall be at San Juan. "Sec. 2. That excepting as herein oth erwise provided, 15 per cent of all the In ternal revenue tax Imposed by the United States shall be collected in said district. No stamp taxes Imposed by said laws upon written or printed documents shall be collected In said district. The Secre tary of the Treasury is hereby author ized and directed to make all needful reg ulations to carry this act Into effect and to prescribe the compensation of all offi cers and agents necessary for that pur pose. "Sec. 3. The amount of all taxes so collected, less the necessary expenses of collection, are hereby appropriated and placed at the disposal of the President to be expended under his direction for tha government of Puerto Rico now existing and hereafter to be established, and for public education, public works and other governmental and public purposes therein. "Sec 4- Upon tobacco not grown In Puerto Rico, and upon all manufactures thereof, and upon rum or other distilled spirits produced front substances not grown in Puerto Rico, the full tax pro vided by the internal revenue laws of the United States shall be collected. Upon to bacco grown In Puerto Rico and the man ufactures thereof, and upon rum and other spirits distilled or made from sugar cane or other agricultural product grown In Puerto Rico, or from the product of such sugar cane or other agricultural product, the said tax of 15 per cent shall be im posed, the same as upon other subjeota of internal revenue taxation "Sec. 5. That the President, whenever he shall be satisfied that a local self-government has been established in Puerto Rico adequate to raise and collect taxes by Its own legislation, shall have the power from time to time by proclamation to decrease the per centum of taxation or abolish the same. "Sec 6. That no duties oh Imports or exports shall, after the passage of this act, be levied or collected on any articles Imported from the United States into Puerto Rico or from Puerto Rlco into the United States. "Sec. 7. This act shall be taken and held to be provisional In its purposes, and intended to meet a pressing present need for revenue for the Island of Puerto Rico, apd shall not continue in force after the first day of March, 1902." PUERTO RICAN COURTS. Case That Is Expected to Decide Their Constitutionality. ' WASHINGTON, March 26. Attorney Frederick D. Kenny today filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus and certiorari In the United States Supreme Court, in a case which Is expected1 to decide the Con stitutionality of the Provisional Court es tablished by the military authorities of Puerto Rico. The case is that of Ramon Baez, of that lbland, whd Is sorving a term at hard labor on the charge of vot ing illegally at the municipal election held at Guayama October 31. Baez' case is one of 32. but he Is the only person actually undergoing punishment for the offense charged, sentence In the other cases hav ing been stayed by agreement pending theNappeal In the Baez case. In his petition Mr. Kenny takes the po sition that the Provisional Court was without Jurisdiction to try the prisoner, saying: "He was held to answer for an infa mous crime, and wa3 convicted and 13 now restrained of his liberty and confined at hard labor, without a presentment or indictment of a grand Jury previously re turned against him. The ordinary civil courts of the territory wherein he was a resident are open and exercising their ordinary Jurisdiction, and therein he should have been tried. It at all. He was and Is deprived of h!a liberty without duo process of law. He did not enjoy the right to a trial by an impartial jury of the district where the crime was commit ted. He was tried and) convicted of an offense unknown to the law of the land wherein he was a resident." All this Is held to be in contravention of tho Constitution of the United States, of which tho brief says: "The ConstUution of the United States Is tho supreme law of the land of that 'land' which comprehends territories as well as states territories outlying and newly acquired as well as those of older acquisition and more near approach. Tho sovereignty of the United States is co extensive with its territory. As broad and long as that territory may be or may become, the Constitution, with its capa cious folds, ever envelops it, and where soever tho Constitution doth prevail the Jurisdiction of this court extends to pre vent oppression and maintain the guar antees of personal rights, liberties and Im munities against the exercise of despotic power." Tho court took the application under advisement. A SUPERIOR PEOPLE. General Wheeler "Writes of the Fili pinos as He Saw Them. NEW YORK. March 26. Under the cap tion "What To Do With the Philippines," General Joseph Wheeler contributes to U1I3 week's ssue of Leslie's Weekly a long article on the situation in the islands as he observed It during his service there. He says in part: "I believo that the back of the rebellion In the Philippines Is broken; there will be little more to do in a military way. There will be some guerrilla warfare, but It will not amount to much. As for Agul naldo, I do not consider him. a. patriot. He was fighting for a great prize. Had he won, he would have been a powerful Emperor, a mighty Dictator. "As far as possible, I believe that we should establish civil government In the Philippines. I am In favor of a territorial government and I see nothing Incongruous in making these various islands into ter ritories. The group should he divided Into three or four territories, not only because of tho extent of the Islands, but because of the antagonisms existing between the different peoples. Some of these tribes have been our devoted friends, and it would bo most unfair not to give them the right of self-government. Many of them are already fit for self-government In local affairs and under territorial governors ap pointed by the United States they would get along very well, I am sure. "I consider the Filipinos a very superior people a people with great possibilities. They are ambitious: many of them havo been finely educated In. Europe: they are, not to be spoken of in the same breath with the Africans, so far as their possibili ties go. They are, too, easily governed and with the fair treatment which they will receive from us wo shall havo no trouble with them. They appreciate considera tion. I havo found, but they are sensitive and are unwilling to be treated as inferiors. They aro a little distrustful of us. "On the question of ultimate annexa tion or tho remote future of the Philip pineswhether states would be erected there or not In case we annex the islands I am not yet prepared to speak, but I do think that we owe much to the many citizens of the Islands who are not Fili pinos and especially to those Filipinos who have been friendly to us. If our army were to bo withdrawn from the Islands, tho natives who have befriended us would be subjected to all sorts of persecutions, and many of them would meet death, all on account of their kindness to us." PLAGUE STAMPED OUT. Mayor Phelnn Snys There Is No Dan ger ataSan Francisco. SAN FRANCISCO, March 26. Mayor Phelan has sent the following dispatch to the Mayors of 50 cities In all sections of the country: "Eastern papers Just received refer to a sporadic case of bubonic plague in San Francisco. The Board of Health reported such a case March 6, 20 days ago. Since then our Chinatown has been thoroughly inspected and disinfected. No other casa has appeared. All persons now freely visit the district, as usual. On account of the vigilance and efficiency of our health department and Federal quaran tine, there is no future danger. Please give this to your local press as an act of Justice to San Francisco. James D. Phelan, Mayor." Given Clean Bill of Health. PORT TOWNSEND. March 26. Tha transport Garonne arrived this afternoon, 23 days from Manila, via Nagasaki and t Yokohama, being IS days from the latter I port. She was Inspected and ordered to j the Diamond Point quarantine station for fumigation. There being no sickness ' aboard, she will be released, tomorrow , night Notwithstanding the fact that bubonic plague existed at Manola, tha British Vice-Consuls at ports of call gave the Garonne a clean bill of health. Plairue Spreading; at Sydney. SYDNEY, N. S. W., March 26. The number of bubonic plague cases ofllcially reported has reached 36. There have been 13 deaths from the disease. Eight thou sand persons have been Inoculated. s Newfoundland Wants Reciprocity. ST. JOHN'S, N. F., March 26. Mr. Bond, the Premier, will appeal to the country at the coming election on the question of reciprocity with the United States, advo cating a renewal of the Bond-Blaine con vention, negotiated some years ago by him. which provided for reciprocity be tween the two countries. Canada object ed, thus preventing the convention taking effect. The Premier considers the present time favorable for a renewal of the meas ure, and his course will receive large sup port throughout the country, where reci procity Is very popular, a o Morehouse Lave Invnlid. SAN FRANCISCO, March 26.-Judge Hunt today decided that the Morehouse law, passed by the last Legislature, and requiring all newspaper articles to bear the signature of the writers, has no place in law, as one of its provisions Is that in case of an award to an injured party a portion of the award must be placed In the hands of tjje State Treasurer. Judge Hunt holds that this Is a penal provision, and that any prosecution must be Insti tuted by tho people of the state and by Individuals. BLAME THE PRESS High -Tariff Republicans De nounce the Newspapers. TRYING TO CHANGE PUBLIC OPINION Adopt the Former Tactics of tfc Democracy Indorsement of Bry an Irrigation Hearing, WASHINGTON, March 26. The Repub lican Puerto Rlcan protectionists are very sore against tho papers of the country. Upon the papers they blame the almost unanimous public sentiment which Is run ning throughout the country in favor of standing by the President's message of "plain duty." In every nook ,and corner some Republican can be found denounc ing the newspapers for what they have been doing. This is the most short-sighted policy that the Republican party or Its repre sentatives in Congress have taken in a long while. Heretofore It has been tho Democrats that have devoted themselves to a denunciation of the press, declaring it to have been bribed by the money power, the creature of corporations and; trusts, and. for that reason, supporting the Republican party, the gold standard and other measures which have been to the advantage of the conservatism and good legislation of tho country. The Re publicans having abandoned certain posi tions of advantage in the matter of free dom of trade with the new colonies, the Democrats occupy them, and tho Republi cans take up the less advantageous po sition, 30 long occupied by the Democrats, of abusing the press of the country and accusing It of creating a public senti ment against the recent action of the party. Democrats for Bryan. "Whero is the necessity for reforming the Chicago platform?" ask some of the Gold-Standard Democratic press, which four years ago opposed Bryan. These papers are very much opposed to Mc Klnley now, and are seeking some way out by which they can support a Demo cratic candidate. The answer to the question Is very easy. It Is necessary to reform the Chicago platform because It means Bryan. The two are Inseparable. The party cannot leave Bryan at this time, because in every primary the fight is being made on him. In the struggle for delegates from the District of Columbia, the various can didates are vying with one another in their declarations of loyalty tj Bryan. Each side shouts Itself hoarse for him. Wben one faction wants to make a real good point against another faction in tho Democratic party, it starts the story that they aro for Bryan and the opposition is opposing him. The continuing of the Chi cago platform Is necessary, as the policy of the Democrats this year Is to mako tho Indorsement of Bryan stronger. Situation in Alabama. -TttS""sltHation In Alabama Is growing much more favorable for Morgan. Two of his opponents have already withdrawn In his favor, and tho fight 13 now be tween Governor Johnston and himself. Johnston represents the anti-expansion and anti-Nicaragua canal element and Morgan Is making steady headway. Irrigation Hearing:. Representative Tongue, chairman of tho irrigation committee, today commenced hearings on the question of Irrigating arid and semi-arid lands of the West. Pro fessor Newell, of the Geological Survey, made a statement In support of the sys tem. The committee Intends to make a careful study of the subject. When tho various Government officers familiar with Irrigation have been heard, the commit tee will prepare and submit an exhaustive report. Mr. Tongue hardly expects that any general or Important Irrigation legis lation will pass at this season, but hopes so to present the subject as to call it to the attention of Congress. There has been considerable protesting against this Irri gating system from the Granges of the East, who fear that It will open up addi tional wheat fields that will prove dan gerous competitors for them. Beveridce and His Speech. Beveridge, of Indiana, Is having a hard time regarding the speech which he pre pared upon the Puerto Rlcan bill. After he had announced his intention to speak, the Republican managers held him In check, In the hope that a caucus agree ment could be reached. At the present time Beveridge Is not the most determined against the Puerto Rican tariff In the Sen ate, but Is going to be satisfied with al most any makeshift that is made, and will content himself by delivering his speech against the bill, but voting for what 13 called a compromise measure in favor of it. Convention Contributions Slow. Tho slowness with which contributions are made for the Philadelphia conven tion has given some concern to the Re publican managers, who fear that they will not be able to raise any considerable campaign fund this year. There are ' a number of Republicans who would wel come this state of affairs, as they believe that large campaign funds are not con- ducive to a healthful condition of things, and they further believe that If no mis takes had been made an enormous suzn would not have been necessary. , l A TAGAL DRAMA. Excited Manila Filipino and Nearly, Caused a Riot. MANILA, March 26. During the pro duction of an Incendiary play entitled, "For Love of Country, presented In the Tagal language at the Tagal Theater, the natives, under the influence of repeated references to Independence, became "dis orderly. Finally, carried away at the sight of the rebel flag on the stage, they cried, "Vive Filipinos" and "Vive Agulnaldo." The police, who were summoned, restored order and arrested, the manager of the theater and the author of the play. The latter Is the proprietor of a Tagal news paper, which was recently warned to mod erate its radical utterances. The Ameri can authorities had forbidden the produc tion of the play. Recruits for Otis. WASHINGTON, March 26. Arrange ments have been completed for the de parture of the transport Sumner from New York next Thursday afternoon. She will carry a large body of officers and about 1100 recruits to fill vacancies in General Otis' forces in the Philippines, as well as a full cargo of stores and sup plies. c Nevr National Banks. WASHINGTON, March 26 A statement has been prepared by the Controller of, the Currency showing the number and lo cation of National banks in process of or ganization under the provisions of tho financial bill approved March 14, 1S00. These banks number about 400 In all, and, with the exception of 10 or 12, each will have a capital of 523.000.