, ' . . 1 "
111
aw
VOL. XXXIV.
CORVAIiLIS, BENTON COUNTY, OREGON, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1897.
NO. 39.
5
mm MESSAGE
The Important Features of
the Chiet Executives' Ad
dress to Congress.
To. the Senate and House of Representa
tives: It gives me pleasure to extend
- greeting to the 55th congress assembled
v- in regular session at the seat of govern-
. ment, with many of whose senators and
" representatives 1 have been associated
in" the legislative service. The meeting oc
curs under felicitous conditions, justify
ing sincere congratulation and calling for
o?r " grateful .acknowledgment to a be
neficent providence which has so signally
blessed and prospered us as a nation.
Peace and good will with all the nations
of the earth continue Unbroken. -
'A matter of genuine satisfaction is tne
growing feeling of fraternal regard.-ndjrttn,, serious consequences, the wise
unification, of all Sections of our country, consideration and nrnmnt solution nf this
the lncomclf tenssa of which has too long
delayed realization of the highest blessings
ol tne Union. The spirit ot patriotism is
. , . . . . .
universal and is ever increasing in fervor.
The public questions which now most en
gross us are lifted far above either par
tisanship, prejudice or former sectional
differences. They affect every part of
our common country alike and permit of
no division on ancient lines. Questions of
foreign policy, of revenue, the soundness
of the currency, the inviolability of na
tional obligations, the improvement of the
public service, appeal to the individual con
science of every earnest citizen, to 'what
ever party he belongs, or In whatever sec
tion of the country he may reside.
" The extra session of this congress which
closed during July last, enacted important
legislation, and, while its full effects have
not been realized, what it has already ac
complished assures us of its timeliness and
wisdom. To test its permanent value
further tlmeVvill be required, and the peo
ple, satisfied with its operation and re
sults thus far, are in no mind to withhold
from it a fair trial.
THE CIKHEXCY QUESTION.
Necessity of Putting; Oar Finances
Upon a Sound Basis.
Tariff legislation having been settled by
the extra session of congress, the question
next pressing for consideration is that ot
the currency. The work of putting our
finances' upon a sound basis, difficult as it
may seem, will appear when we recall
the financial operation of the government
s.nce.'18B6. On the 30th day of June of
that year, we had outstanding demand
liabilities in the sum of $728,868,447 41. On
the 1st day of July, 1879, these liabilities
had been reduced to $443,889,495 88. Of our
interest-bearing obligations, the figures
are even more striking. On July 1, 1866,
the principal of the interest-bearing lebt
of the government was $2,332,331,208. On
the 1st day of Ju'.y, .1893,-- this sum bad
. been reduced to . $5S5,037 100, or an aggre
gate reduction of $1,717,294,103. The interest-bearing
debt of the United States on
, the 1st day of Decemb r, 1897, was $817,-
365,620. The government money now out
standing (December 1) consists of $346,'
681,016 of. United States notes; $107,793,250
of treasury notes issued by authority of
the act of 1890; $384,963,504 of silver certifi
cates and $31,280,761 of standard silver
dollars.
With the great resources of the govern
ment and with the time-honored example
06 the past before us, we should not hesitate--to
enter upon a currency - revision
'which will make our demand obligations
less onerous to the government and re
lieve our financial laws liom ambiguity
and doubt.
he brief review of what was accom
plished from the close of the war until
18S3 makes unreasonable and groundless
any distrust either of our financial abil
ity or soundness; while the situation from
1863 to 1S97 must admonish congress of the
immediate necessity for so legislating as
.to make the ."return of the conditions then
prevailing -'impossible.
There are. many plans proposed as a
remedy for the evil. Before we can find
the true remedy we must appreciate the
.real evil. It is not that our currency of
every-kind is not good, for every dollar
ot it is -good;, good because -the govern
ment's "pledge is out to keep it so, and
that pledge will not be broken. How
ever the guaranty of our purpose to keep
tha pledge will be best shown by advanc
ing toward 'ts fulfillment.
Evil of the Present System.
The evil of the present system is found
in the great cost to the government of
maintaining the parity of our different
forms of money; that is, keeping all of
th;m at par with gold. We surely cannot
. be longer heedless of the burden this im
poses upon the people, given under fairly
prosperous conditions, while the past four
years have demonstrated that it is not
only an expensive charge upon the gov
ernment, but a dangerous menace to the
national credit.
It Is manifest that we must devise some
plan to protect the government against
bond issues for repeated redemptions. We
must either curtail the opportunity for
ep: culation, made easy by the multiplied
redemptions of our demand obligations, or
increase the gold reserve for their re
demption. We have $900,000,000 of currency
which the government, by solemn enact
ment, has undertaken to keep at par with,
gold. Nobody is obliged to redeem in
gold but the government. The banks are
not required to redeem in gold. The gov
ernment is obliged to keep equal with
gold all its outstanding currency and coin
obligations, while its receipts are not re
quired to be paid in gold. They are paid
in every kind of money but gold, and tne
only means by which the government can,
with certainty, get gold is by borrowing.
It can get it in no other way when it most
needs it. The government without any
fixed gold revenue Is pledged to maintain
gold redemption, which it has steadily and
faithfully done, and which, under the au
thority now given, it will continue to do. -'
The law which requires the government,
after having redeemed its notes, to pay
them out again as current funds demands
a constant replenishment of the gold re
serve. This is especially so in times of
business panic and when the revenues are
insufficient to .meet the expenses of the
government. At such times the govern
ment has no other way to supply its def
icit and maintain redemption but through
the Increase of its bonded debt, as during
the- administration of my predecessor,
when $262,315,400 of 4 per' cent bonds
were Issued and sold and the proceeds
used to pay the expenses of the govern
ment in excess of the revenues and sustain
the - gold reserve. While it is true that
the greater part of the proceeds et these
bonds were used to supply deficient reve
nues, a considerable portion was required
to maintain the-gold reserve.
Replenishing; the Gold Reserve.
With our revenues equal to our expenses,
there would be no deficit requiring the is
suance of bonds. But if the gold reserve
falls below $100,000,000, how will it be re
plenished except by selling more bonds?
Is there any other way practicable under
existing law? The serious question then
is. Shall we continue the policy that has
been pursued in the past that is, when the
gold reserve reaches the point of danger,
issue more bonds and supply the needed
gold or shall we provide other means
to prevent these recurring drains -upon the
gold reserve? If no further legislation
is had and the policy of selling bonds is
to be continued, then congress should give
the secretary of the treasury authority to
sell bonds at long or short periods, bearing
a less rate of interest than is now author
ized by law. I earnestly recommend, as
soon as the receipts of the government
aie quite sufficient to pay all the expenses
of the government, that when any of the
United States notes are presented for re
demption in gold and are redeeemed in gold,
such notes shall be kept and only paid out
in exchange for gold. This is an obvious
duty.. If the holder of the United States note
prefers gold from the government, he should
not receive back from the government
.United States note without paying gold
in exchange for it, - The reason for this is
made all the more apparent when the gov
ernment issues an Interest-bearing debt
to provide gold for the redemption of
United States notes a nonlnterest-bearlng
debt. Surely It should not pay them out
again except on demand and for gold. If
they are put out In any other way. they
may return again to be followed by an
other bond issue to redeem them another
interest-bearing debt to redeem a non-interest-bearing
debt.
In iny view, it is of the utmost Import
ance that the government should be re
lieved from the business of providing for
all the gold required for exchange or ex
port. This responsibility Is alone borne
by the government without any of the
usual and necessary banking powers to
help itself. The banks do not feel the
strain of the gold redemption. The
whole strain rests upon the government.
and the size of the gold reserve in the
' treasury has come to be, with or with-
out reason, the signal of danger or of se-
i curity This ought to be stopped. V
I If we are to have an era of prosperity
in the country with sufficient receipts for
the expenses of the government, we may
' feel no immediate embarrassment from
' our present currency; but the danger still
; exists, and will be ever present, menacing
us as long as the existing system con
tinues. And, besides, it is in times of
adequate revenues and business tran
quillity that the jrovernment should pre
pare for the worst. We cannot avoid.
Plan nf SMitj.w Aafl--
i . , . . .
I The secretary of the treasury has out-
, ... . .... -
pose of removing threatened recurrence
of a depleted gold reserve and saving us
from future embarrassment on that ac
count. To this plan I Invite your care
ful -consideration. I concur with the sec
retary of the treasury in his recommenda
tion that national banks.be allowed to
issue notes to the face value of Hhe
bonds which they deposited for circula
tion, and that the tax on circulating
notes, secured bythe deposit of such
bonds, be reduced to one-half of one per
cent per annum. I also join him In
recommending that authority be given for
the establishment of national banks with
a minimum capital of 125.000. This will
enable the smaller villages and agricul-
j tural regions of the country to be sup-
( plied with currency to meet their de-
mands. I recommend that the issue of
national bank notes be restricted to the
denomination of $10 and upwards: If the
suggestions I have herein made shall
have the approval of congress, then I
would recommend that national banks be
required to redeem their notes in gold.
CUBA AND SPAIN.
Attitude of the Administration In
the Present Rebellion. '
The most important problem with which
this country is now called upon to deal,
that pertaining to its foreign rela
tions, concerns its duty toward Spain and
the Cuban insurrection. Problems and
conditions more or less in common with
those now existing hffve confronted this
government at various times in the past.
The story of Cuba for many years has
been one of unrest; growing discontent;
an effort toward the larger enjoyment of
liberty and self-control; of organized re
sistance to the mother, country; or oppres
sion and warfare and of ineffectual set
tlement to be followed by renewed . re
volt. For llo enduring, period since the
enfranchisement of the continental pos
sessions of Spain in the Western conti
nent has the condition of Cuba or the
policy of Spain toward Cuba not caused
concern to the United States.'
The prospect from time to time that
the weakness of Spain's hold upon the
island and the political vicissitudes and
embarrassments of the home government
might lead to the transfer of Cuba to a
continental power called forth, between
1823 and 1860, various emphatic declara
tions of the United States to permit no
disturbance -of Cuba'-eonnectiojrjwith
Spgtn-nnless hir-the direction ofTndeDehcl
ence or acquisition by the United States
through purchase, nor has there been any
chanFR of thin n'pnlAren' ntiMnv nlnr'A tinnn
1
the. nin nf thia Dnv.mn.Ant 1
The revolution which began in 1868 ! ministrative machinery at the national
lasted for 10 years, despite the strenuous ' command, to perform Its full duty accord
efforts of the successive peninsular eov- ' ing to the law -jot nations. That it has
ermnents to suppress it. Then, as now,
the government of the United States tes
tified its grave concern and offered its aid
to put an end to bloodshed in Cuba. The
overtures made by General Grant were
refused, - and the war dragged, on, entail
ing great loss of life and treasure, and
increased injury to American interests, !
besides throwing enhanced burdens of I charge has been made in diplomatic is
neutrality upon .this government- In 1878, ! sues. Throughout all these horrors and
peace was brought about by .the truce
of Zanjon, obtained by negotiations be
tween the Spanish commander, Martinez
de Campos, and' the Insurgent leaders.
Civilised Code "of War Disregarded.
. The present insurrection broke out in.
February, 1895. It is not my purpose, at
this time, to recall its remarkable increase
or to characterize its tenacious resistance
against the enormous forces massed
against it by Spain. The revolt and the
efforts to subdue It carried destruction to
every quarter of the island, developing
wide proportions and defying the efforts
of Spain for its suppression. The civilized
code - of war has been disregarded, no
less so by the Spaniards than by the
Cubans. The existing conditions cannot
but fill this government and the Ameri
can people with the gravest apprehen
sion. There is no desire on the part of
our people to profit by the misfortunes
of Spain. We have only the desire to
see the Cubans prosperous and contented, I
enjoying that measure of self-control
which is the inalienable right of man,
protected in their right to reap the bene
fit of the exhaustless treasures of their
country.
The offer made by my predecessor. In
April, 1896, tendering the friendly offices
of this government, failed, and media'
tion on our part was not accepted. In
brief, the answer read: There is no ef
fectual way to pacify Cuba, unless it be
gins with the actual submission of the
rebels to the mother country. Then only
can Spain act in the promised direction
of her own motion and after her own
plans. .
Concentration Is Extermination.
The cruel policy of concentration' was
initiated February 16, 1896. The produc
tive districts controlled by the Spanish
armies were depopulated and the agri
cultural inhabitants were herded in and
about the garrison towns, their lands laid
waste and their dwellings destroyed. This
policy the late cabinet of Spain justified
as a necessary measure of war and as a
means of - cutting off supplies from the
insurgents.
It has utterly failed as a war measure.
It was not civilized warfare. It was ex
termination. Against this abuse of the rights of war
I have felt constrained, on repeated oc-
caslons, to enter the firm and earnest pro
test of this government. There was much
of public condemnation of the treatment
of American citizens by alleged Illegal ar
rests and long Imprisonment awaiting
trial of pending protracted judicial pro
cedures. I felt it my first duty to make
instant demand for the release- or speedy
trial of all American citizens under ar
rest. Before the change of the Spanish
cabinet, in October, 22 prisoners, citizens
of the United States, had been given
their freedom.
For the relief of our own citizens suf
fering because of the conflict, the aid of
congress was sought in a special mes
sage, and under the appropriation of April
4. 1897. effective aid has been given to
American citizens in Cuba, and many of
them, at their own request, have been
returned to the United t States. . .
Instructions to Minister Woodford.
.The instructions given to our new min
lster to Spain, before his departure for
his post, directed him to impress upon
that government the sincere wish of the
United States to lend its aid toward end
ing the war in Cuba, by reaching a peace
ful and lasting result, just and honor
able alike to Spain and the Cuban people.
These instructions recited the character
and duration of the contest, the wide
spread losses it entails, the burdens and
restraint it Imposes upon us, with con
stant disturbance of national Interests
and the injury resulting from an indefinite
continuance of this state of things. It
was stated that at this juncture 6ur gov
ernment was constrained to seriously In-"
quire if the time was pot ripe' wtfen Spain,
of her own volition, moved by Rerow.iri
terests and every sentiment of humanity,
should put a stop to this destructive war
and make proposals of settlement honor
Able to herself and Just to her Cuban
colony. It was urged that as a neigh
boring nation with large interests in
Cuba, we could be required to wait only
a reasonable time for the mother coun
try tor establish its authority and restore
peace and order within the borders of the
island; that we could not contemplate an
indefinite period for the accomplishment
of these results.
No solution was proposed, to which the
slightest idea of humiliation to Spain
could attach. AH that was asked or ex
pected was that some safe way might be
speedily provided and permanent peace
restored. It so chanced that the consid
eration of this offer, addressed to the
Spanish administration, which had de
clined the tenders of my predecessor and
which for more than two years had poured
more treasure into Cuba in the fruitless
effort to suppress the revolt, fell to oth
ers. Between the departure, of General
Woodford, the new envoy, and his arrival
in Spain, the statesman who had shaped
the policy of his country fell by the hand
of an assassin, and although the cabinet
of the late premier still held office and re
ceived from our envoy the proposals he
bore,, that cabinet gave place, within a
few days thereafter, to a new administra
tion under the leadership of Sagasta.
Spain's Friendly Reply.
The reply to. our note' was received on
the 23d day of October. It is in the direc
tion of a better understanding. It appre
ciates the friendly proposals of this gov
ernment. . It admits that our country is
deeply affected by -the war in Cuba and
that our desires for peace are just. It de
clares that the present Spanish govern
ment Is bound by every consideration to a
change . of policy that should satisfy . the
United States and pacify Cuba within a
reasonable time. To this end, Spain has
decided to put Into effect the political re
forms heretofore advocated by the pres
ent premier, without halting for any con
sideration in the path which, in its judg
ment, leads to peace.
The military operations, it Is said, will
continue, but will be humane and con
ducted with all regard for private rights,
being accompanied by" political action
leading to the autonomy of Cuba, while
guarding Spanish sovereignty. This, it is
claimed, will result In Investing Cnba with
a distinct personality,.- the island to be
governed by an executive and by a local
council or chamber, reserving to Spain
the control of the foreign relations, the
army and navy and the judicial adminis
trations. To accomplish this, the present govern
ment proposes to modify existing legis
lation by decree, leaving the Spanish
cortes, with the aid of Cuban senators
and deputies, to solve the economic prob
lems and properly distribute the existing
debt.
Give Spain a Chance.
In the- absence of a declaration of the
measures that this government proposes
to take- in carrying out Its proffer of good
offices, it suggests that Spain be left free
to conduct military operations and grant
political reforms, wniie the United States,
for its part, shall enforce its neutral obli
gations, and cut off the assistance which,
it Is asserted, the Insurgents receive from
this country. The supposition of an in
definite prolongation of the war is de
nied. It is asserted that the Western
provinces are already , well-nigh re- r, . 'T.-. . Y
claimed; that the p anting of cane and I the favorable action of the American sen
tobacco therein has been resumed, and ate to effect die complete absorption of the
that by force of arms and new and ample ' "! aoma"s1 of ttt,e Un"ea
refornis very early and complete pacifi- , States. .What the conditions of such a
cation Is hoped for.
The immediate amelioration of existing
conditions under the new administration
of Cuban affairs is predicted, and there
wi thai... the disturbance, and all occasion
for any change of attitude on the part of
the United States.
Discussion of the question of interna
tional duties and responsibilities of the
United States as Spain understands them.
' is presented with an apparent ' disposition
to charge us with failure in this regard.
X nm 'Charge Ts without any basis in tact.
It could not have been made if Spain had,
been cognizant of the constant effort this
government has made, at the cost of mil-
lions and bv the emnlovment of the ad
successfully prevented tne departure ol a
single -military expedition or armed vessel
from, our shores In violation of our laws
: would seem to be a sufficient answer,
j But on this aspect of the Spanish note it
j is not necessary to speak further now.
, Firm "In, the conviction of a wholly per-
formed obligation, due response to this
dangers" "co our. own peace, this govern
ment has never in any way abrogated its
sovereign prerogative of reserving to it
.self the determination of Its policy and
course, according to its own high sense of
right and In consonance with the dearest
interests and convictions o'f our own peo
pled should the .prolongation of the strife
so demand.
Of the untried measures there remain
only: ' . - "
"Recognition of the Insurgents as bellig
erents; recognition of the independence of
Cuba; neutral intervention to end the war
by imposing a rational compromise be
tween the contestants, and intervention
in favor of one or the other patty." ,
Not a Question of Annexation.
I speak not of forcible annexation, for
that cannot be thought of. That, by our
code of morality, would be criminal ag
gression. Recognition of the belligerency
of the Cuban insurgents has often been
canvassed as a possible ' if not inevitable
step, both in regard to the previous 10
years' struggle and during the present
war.; I am not unmindful that the two
houses of congress. In the spring of 1896,
expressed the opinion, by concurrent reso
lution, that a condition of public war ex
isted requiring or justifying the recogni
tion of a state of belligerency in Cuba,
and during the -extra session the senate
voted a joint resolution of like Import,
which, however, was not brought to a
vote In the house. In the presence of
these significant expressions of the senti
ment of the legislative branch, it behooves
the executive soberly to consider the con
ditions' under which so important a
measure must heeds rest for justification.
It Is to be seriously considered whether
the Cuban insurrection possesses, beyond
dispute, the attributes of statehood which
alone can demand the recognition of bel
ligerency in its favor. Possession short
of the essential qualifications of sover
eignty by the insurgents, and the conduct
of the war by them according to the rec
ognized code of war, are no less Important
nntnr tnwAM thA nterminntinn nf the
problem of belligerency than are the in- '
fluences and consequences of tbe struggle
upon the internal policy of the recogniz-
ing nation. The utterances of President
Grant in his memorable message of 1875
are signally relevant to the present situa
tion in Cuba, and it may be wholesome
now to recall them. At that time a
serious conflict had for seven years wasted
the neighboring island. During all those
years an utter disregard of the laws of "
civilized warfare and of the just demands j
of humanity, which called forth expres-
sions of condemnation from the nations
of Christendom, continued unabated.
Desolation and ruin pervaded that pro
ductive region, enormously affecting the I
Commerce of all commercial nation, but
that of the United States more than any ,
other, by reason or proximity and larger
trade "and Intercourse. -
Not a Time for Recognition.
Turning to the practical aspects of a
recognition of belligerency and reviewing"
its inconveniences and possible danger,,
iurmer- jwurou v.,..ucn.u..i, iiiii . concurrence and co-operation of Buro
In the code of nations, there is no sucn trio in th international spt-
thlngjas-a naked recognition of belliger-.;
ency .unaccompanied by the assumption
ul uauuiin ..cufm. .x.s"i' agreement contemplated Dy tneir mission,
without neutrality wiU not confer upon The gratifying action of our great sis
either party to a domestic conflict a status ' ter republic of France in joining this
not therefore actually possessed, or af- country in the attempt to bring about the
feet the relation of either party to other agreement between the principal com-states.-
The act of recognition usually ' merclal nations of Europe, whereby a
takes the form of a solemn proclamation J flxe(j ana- relative value between gold,and
of neutrality which recites the de facto silver shall be secured, furnishes assur
condition of belligerency as its motive. It ance that we are not alone among the
announces a domestic law of neutrality larger nations of the world in realizing
in the declaring state. . It assumes the in- the international character of the prob-
ternatlonal obligation of a neutral in the
presence or. a puouc siate or war. it
warns all citizens asd others within the
Ljurisdlction of the claimant that they vio
late those rigorous obligations at their
own peril And cannot expect to be shield
ed1 from the consequence.. The right of
visit and search and Seizure of vessels
and cargoes and contraband, of. war un
der admiralty law must 'under interna- '
tional law be admitted as a legitimate 1
consequence of a proclamation of belliger
ency. . While according equal belligerent
rights, defined by public law, to each par
ty in our ports, disfavor would be impos
sible to both, which, while nominally
equal, would weigh heavily In behalf of
Spain herself. Possessing a navy and
claiming the ports' of Cuba, her maritime
rights could be asserted, not only for
.the' military investment of the island,
but up to the margin of our own terri
torial waters, and a condition of things
would exist for which the Cubans could not
hope to create a parallel; while aid from
within our domain would be even' more
Impossible than now, with the additional
obligation of international neutrality
which we would perforce assume.
' Will Intervene When Necessary.
Sure of the right, keeping free from all
offense - ourselves, actuated only by up
right and patriotic considerations, moved
neither by - passion nor selfishness, the
government will continue its watchful
care over the rights and property of
American citizens and will abate none of
its efforts to bring about by peaceful
agencies a peace which shall be honorable
and enduring. If it shall hereafter be a
duty imposed by our obligations to our
selves, to civilization and humanity to
intervene with force, it shall be withoujt
fault on our part, and only because tie
necessity for such action will be so clear
as to command the support and approval
or the civilized world.
ANNEXATION OP HAWAII.
Urges the Senate to Accomplish the
Union. ---
By a special message dated the 16th day
of June last, I laid before the- senate of
the United' States a treaty, signed -that day
by the plenipotentiaries of the United
States and of the republic of Hawaii, hav
ing for its purpose the incorporation ot
the Hawaiian islands as an integral part
of the United States and under its sov
ereignty. The senate having removed
the injunction of secrecy, although the
treaty is still pending before that, body,
the subject may be properly - referred to
in this .message, as the necessary action
of congress is required to determine by
legislation many -details of the eventual
union, should the fact of annexation be
accomplished, as I believe it should be.
While consistently disavowing from a
very early period any aggressive policy
of absorption in regard to the Hawaiian
group, a long series of discussion through
three-quarters of a century hag pro
claimed the vital interest of the United
States- in the Independent life of the
islands and their intimate commercial de
pendency upon this country. At the same
time it has been repeatedly asserted that
in no event could the entity of Hawaiian
statehood cease by the passage of the is
lands under the domination or influence of
another power than the United States.
Under these circumstances the logic of
events required that annexation, before
offered but declined, should. In the ripe
ness of time, .come about as the natural
result of strengthening the ties that bind
is to those islands and be released by the
free will of the Hawaiian state. .
That treaty was unanimously ratified
without ' amendment by the senate and
president of the republic of Hawaii on the
TTr,ftol, 'BtatZ ihi,.-,, t ti
to the United States, the character of the
local administration, the quality and de
gree of the elective franchise of the in
habitants, the extension of the federal
laws to the territory or the enactment of
special laws to fit the peculiar condition
thereof, the regulation and needs of labor
therein, the treaty has wisely relegated to
congress. ." -
If the treaty is confirmed, as every con
sideration of dignity and honor requires,
ui uuug rt fas win see to n mat,
avowing- aprupi assimilation i ciemem.
Perhaps hardly yet fitted tojshare In the
-highest franchises of citizensh.p, and hav-
ug ,uuc icgoxu lu mc gcvfiiBpuivat .au
ditions, the just provisions for self-rule
in local matters with the largest political
liberties as an integral part of our nation
will be accorded to the" Hawaiians.
No less is due to a people who after
nearly five years of demonstrated capacity
to fulfill the obligations of self-governing
statehood, come of tluir Tree will to
merge their destinies in onr-body politic. .
CENTRAL AMERICAN STATES.
Representation of Onr Government
in the Greater Republic.
As to the representative of this govern
ment fo Nicaragua, Salvador and Costa
Rica, I have concluded that Mr. William
L. Merry, confirmed as minister of the
United States to the states of Nicaragua,
Salvador and Costa Rica, shall, proceed
to San Jose, Costa Rica, and there tempo
I rarily establish the headquarters of the
. United States to those three . states. 1
! took this action-for what I regarded as the
' paramount Interests of this country. It
was developed, upon an Investigation by
the secretary of state, that the government
of Nicaragua, while not unwilling to re
ceive Mr. Merry in his diplomatic capac
ity, was unable to do so on account of the
compact concluded June 20, 1895, whereby
that republic and those of Salvador and
Honduras, forming what is known as the
Greater Republic of Central America, had
surrendered to the representative diet
thereof their right to receive and 'send
diplomatic agents. The diet was not will
ing to accept him because he was not ac
credited to that body. I could not ac
credit him to that body because the appro
priation law of congress did not permit.
Mr. Baker, the present minister at Man
agua, ' has been directed to present nut
letters of recall. " -1
i Mr. Godfrey Hunter has likewise been
.accredited to the governments of'Gaute
mala and Honduras, the same as his pred-
ecessor. Guatemala is not a member of
the Greater Republic of Central America,
but Honduras is. Should this latter gov
ernment decline to receive him, he has
been instructed to report this fact to his
government and await its further instruc
tions.
The Nicaragua Canal.
A subject of large importance to our
country and increasing appreciation on the
part of the people Is the completion of the
great highway of trade between the At
lantic and "Pacific known as the Nicara
gua canal. Its value to American com
merce is universally admitted. The com
mission appointed under date of July 24
last "to continue the surveys and exam-
inations autnorizeo Dy tne act approved
March 2, 1S85, in regard to the proper
route, feasibility and cost- of construc
tion of the Nicaragua canal, with a view
of making complete plans for the entire
work of construction of such canal," is
now employed in the undertaking. In the
future I shall take occasion to transmit
to congress the report of this commission,
making at the same time such further
suggestions as may then seem advisable.
THE BIMETALLIC COMMISSION.
Failure of the Mission of the Special
Silver Envoys.
Under the provisions of the act of .con
gress approved March 3, 1897, for the pro
motion of an international agreement re
specting btmetalism, I appointed, on
April 14. 1897. Hon. Edward O. Wolcott,
of Colorado; Hon. Adlai E. Stevenson, of
Illinois, and Hon. Charles J. Payne,
repre3ent the United States. They have
en dilisent. in their effort to secure the
tlement of the question, but up to this I
tlm have not been able to secure an
iem and in the desire of reaching some
wise and practical solution of It,
The British government has published a
resume of the steps taken Jointly by the
French ambassador in London and the
special envoys of the United States, with
whom pur ambassador in London actively
co-operated in the presentation of this
subject to her majesty's government. This
will be laid before coneress. Our special
envoys have not made their final report.
as : further 'negotiations-between the rep-
. resentatives of this government and the
governments of other countries are pend
i ing and in contemplation. They believe
' that the doubts which' have been raised
In certain quarters respecting the possl
, blBty of maintaining the stability of the
parity between, the metals and kindred
questions may yet be solved by rurtner
negotiations. .
Meanwhile, it gives me satisfaction to
state that the ' special envoys have a I
readjr demonstrated their ability and fit
ness to deal with the subject, and it is to
be earnestly hoped that their labors may
result ' in an " international agreement
which will bring ;about recognition of
both gold and silver as money upon such
terms and-with such safeguards as will
secure the use of both metals upon a
basis which shall work no Injuries to
any class of citizens.
NEEDS OF ALASKA.
.1 ". '
Exlstl
' - '-.
g Conditions . -Demand a
Change In the Lam. "
, The territory of Alaska requires the
prompt and early attention of congress.
The conditions now existing demand a
material change, in the laws relating to
the territory. 'The great influx of popula
tion during the past summer and fall and
the prospect of a still larger immigra-
tfon In tVi nnr ner will nnt nATmit list to
longer neglect the extension of civil au
thority within the territory or posipone
the establishment of a more thorough
government. A general system of public
surveys has not yet been extended to
Alaska,- and all entries thus far made in
that district are upon special surveys.
The act of congress extending to Alaska
the mining laws of the United States con
tained the reservation that it should not
be construed to put in force the general
land laws of the country.
-By an act approved March 3, 1S91, au
thority was given for entry of lands for
townsite purposes, and also for the pur
chase of not exceeding 160 acres then or
thereafter occupied for purposes of
trade- and manufacture. The. pur
pose of i congress, as thus far
expressed,; has been ' that only
such rights should apply to the territory
as should be specifically named. It will
be"seen how much remains to be done for
that vast, remote, and yet promising por
tion of our country.
Special authority was given to the pres
ident by the act approved July 24, 1897, to
divide that territory Into two land dls-.
trlcts, and to designate the boundaries
thereof, and to appoint registers and re
ceivers of said land offices, and the presi
dent was also authorized to appoint a
surveyor-general for the entire district.
Pursuant to" this authority, a surveyor
general "and receiver have been appoint
ed, with offices at Sitka.- If in the ensu
ing year the conditions justify, it, the addi
tional land- district authorized by law
will be established with an office at some
point in the Yukon valley. No appropria
tion, however, was made for this pur
pose, and that is now necessary to be
done.'
J - The Military Post.
I concur with the secretary of war In
his suggestions as to the necessity for a ;
military force in the territory of Alaska !
for the protection of. persons and prop-
erty. Already a email force consisting
of 25 men and two officers, under com
mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Randall, of
tho UHp-nth Infnntrv hs been sent to
St. Michaels to establish a military post. J
As It Is to the interest of the government j
to encourage the development of the coun- '
try and Its duty to foljpw up Its citizens
there with the benefits of legal machin- :
ery. I earnestly urge upon congress the '
establishment of a system of government 1
of such flexibility as will enable it to ad- i
just Itself in the future to the needs at
tendant' upon a greater population.
f'Ht. ""''-iir TlnTn1lljii-.
The startling though possibly - exag
gerated - reports from the Yukon river ,
country of the probably shortage of food
for the-' large number of people who are i
wlnteringthere without the means of leav- j
ing thev country, are confirmed in such ,
measure as to Justify bringing the matter
to the attention of congress. Access to
that countrjrvthis winter can be- had only ,
by the passes from . Ilyea and vicinity, t
which is a most difficult and perhaps im- :
possible task. However, should these re
ports of the suffering of our fellow-clti- I
zens be further verified, every effort at
any cost should be made to carry them
relief. - . - -
'-. INDIAN AFFAIRS. " "
New Rearnlations for Five' Civilised
Tribes Are Imperative. ' j
For a number of years it has been ap- ,
parent that the Condition of the five civil
ized -tribes In the Indian territory under
treaty provisions with the United States, i
th the Tight of -self-government and
the exclusion of all white persons from -within
their borders, have undergone sol
complete a change as to render the contin-
uance of. the system thus inaugurated
piacticaily impossible. The total number ,
of the five civilized tribes, as shown by
the last census, Is 45,484, and- this number ,
has not materially increased, while the
white population Is estimated at from '
200,000 to 250,000, which, by permission of
the Indian government, has settled in the '
territory. The present area of the Indian 1
territory is 25,564,546 acres, much of which i
is very fertile land. The United States
citizens residing in the territory, most of
whom have-gone there by invitation or
with the consent of the tribal authorities,
have made permanent homes Tor them
selves. Numerous towns have been built.
in which from 1000 to 5000 white people
now reside.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
Room
for Farther Improvement,
Which Will Be Hade. .
- The Important branch of our govern
ment known as the .civil service, the prac
tical improvement of which has long b.en
a subject of earnest discussion; has of
late years received increased legislative
and executive approval. During the past
few months, the service has been placed
on a still firmer basis of business meth
ods and personal merit. While the right
of our veteran soldiers to reinstatement
in deserving cases has been asserted, dis
missals for . merely political reasons have
been carefully guarded against, the exam
inations for admittance . to the service
enlarged and at the same time rendered
less technical and more practical, and a
distinct advance has been made by giving
n hpflrin? hpfnra Hlcm'eEal tinrtn alt .. r--
wnere incompetency is charged or a de-'
m,OT4 Id .1 . ...... I A .11! ! 1 1
...iiiiu ... ... til. o iwi iciuuvoi Ul UlllU-UlS Ul
any of the departments.
This order has been made to give the ac
cused his right to be heard without in
any way impairing the power of removal,
which should always be exercised in cases
of Inefficiency or incompetency, and which
is one of the safeguards of the civil ser
vice reform system, preventing stagna
tion and deadwood and keeping every
employe keenly alive to the fact that se
curity of tenure depends not on favor,
but on his own tested and carefully
watched record of service. Much, of
course, still remains to be accomplished
before the system can be made reasonably
perfect for our needs. There are places
now In the classified service which ought
to be exempted and others unclassified
may properly be Included. I shall not hea- j
Hate to exempt cases which I think have
been improperly Included, In the classified
serviceor Include those which, in my judg
ment, will best promote the public ser
vice. The system has the approval of the
people and it will be my endeavor to up
hoid and extend -It. '" :t
I am forced by the length of this mes
sage to omit many important references
to affairs of the government with which
congress will have, to deal at tbe present
session. .They are fully discussed In the
departmental reports, to all of which I
invite your earnest attention. -:':r-
The estimates of the expenses of the
government by the several departments
should have your careful scrutiny. While
congress may And.lt an easy task to re
duce the expenses of the government, it
should not encourage their increase.
These, expenses will, in my judgment, ad
mit of a decrease. In many branches of
the government without injury to the pub
lic lervice. It is a commanding, duty to
keep-; the appropriations within the re
ceipts of the government and thus prevent
a deficit. WILLIAM McKINLKY. .
Executive .Mansion, Dec. , MM.
Epitome of the Telegraphic
News of the World.
TERSE TICKS FROM THE WIRES
ft-n Interesting Collctlan -of Items From.
the New and the Old . World In a
Condensed and Comprehensive Form
- The: Italian , cabinet has- resigned.
General Pellieux's action is regarded as
a political move, to make possible for
the Marquis di Radini to secure a
unanimous m inistry - ;The ministers- of
finance, justice and public works.-in
the retiring cabinet, will not appear in
its successor. " .
- E.- L. Hewes, the Wichita mountain
boomer, who has been at Wichita for
j tJ )ree week st rying to organize a party,
has left for Olkahoma City without a
single follower. At different times he
claimed to have from 500 to 1,000
boomers ready to follow his lead into
the country...; ;
Toru Hoshi, envoy extradordinary and
minister plenipotentiary from Japan to
the United States, was a passsenger
from the Orient on the City of Peking,
which 1 as just arrived in San Fran
cisco. ' He will leave for Washington
at once carrying with him instructions
in reference to the Hawaiian - treaty of
annexation which will be considered
by the United States senate. -
When the German reinforcements,
consisting of four companies, of ma
rines, numbering 23 officers and 1,200
men, and a company of naval artillery,
arrive-at Kiao Chau " hay, for which
point, as already cabled, they will s on
set out, they . will bring tbe German
force there up to 4,566 men, the lar
gest body Germany has ever sent be
yond Eropean waters. It is understood
that the reserves had to be drawn upon,
r- Surgeon-General Wyman, of the
marine hospital service, has submitted
his annual report to Secretary Gage. It
shows that during the fiscal year ended
June 30,- 1897, the total number of
patients treated at hospitals and the
dispensaiies connected with the service
was 54,477. Although the totat num
ber of patients treated was 673 in ex
cess of those treated during the pre
vious fiscal year, the expenditures were
$538,536, which is $21,000 less than
the previous year. - -
The annual report of James H. Eokles,
controller of the currency, for the year
ended October 31, 1897, opens with a
brief resume -of. the history of the legis
lation which constitutes the present
National-bank act, and invites the at
tention of congress to amendments to
the law recommended in former reports,
without specifically repealing them.
The controller renews his recommend
ation of last year, urging that national
jbank examiners be paid an -annual sal
ary , instead of fees, as now.
Further information from Washing
ton respecting the proposed canal and
locks for the channel at the. dalles is to
the effect that it is proposed to -push
the work with a deal of rapidity. . The
contract system and modern methods of
excavation and building have made it
clear that years need not be spent upon
a work of this character. If the con
tract for improving the Columbia by a
small channel at the dalles is adopted
it will no doubt be stipulated that the
work must be done .with rapidity. '
A terrible railroad accident has. oc
curred in Warsaw. While a passenger
train wts stationary at the terminus,
a heavy freight train ran into it, owing
to the error of a pointsman. Eleven
persons were killed and 22 others were
seriously injured
The receipts of the customs so far
this fiscal year undoubtedly will fall
considerably short of estimates made
by the managers of ; the new tariff bill
during its pendency in congress. At
that time it was estimated that the
customs would yield about $180,000,
000 during the first year. The indica
tions are now said to be that, the re
ceipts. from this source will not aggre
gate more than $165,000,000. .
A plate of armor, representing a lot
of 600 tons for the turrets of the battle
ships Eearsarge and, Kentucky, was
tested at the Indian Head proving
grounds luesday. - For testing pur
poses, two eight-inch shells, one a Car
penter projectile and tne other a
Wheeler sterling, were fired at tbe
plate, one at a high and the other at a
low velocity. JNeitner penetrated nor
cracked the plate, but both partially
welded themselves into it.
Word comes of a wreck on the Santa
Fee near Williams, Ariz., in which
three men lost their lives and much
valuable property was destroyed.
After the first section of freight tram
No. 83 bad pulled out of Williams the
air that controls the brakes gave out
and the train dashed down the steep
grade with rapidly increasing velocity,
The hand brakes were unavailing to
check the speed, and when a point
about 10 miles west was reached the
train left the track. Two engines were
coupled to the train, which was a very
heavy one. Engineers Newton -..and
Watsons and Fireman .Berry were pin
ned under their respective engines and
lost their lives, it is said, by being
burned to death.
Emperor William opened the session
of the German reichstag in person for
the first time since 1894. The cere
mony took place in White hall, in the
royal castle. ' His majesty read the
speech from the throne.
The steamer San Bias has arrived in
San Francisco from Panama and way
ports. She brings the news that the
Salvador coffee crop for this season
will be one-third larger than ever be
fore, and will do mnch toward making
up the loss, occasioned by the re vol u -tion.-
. .- . 1 - - '-'
- ' The London papers assert that China
has practically agreed to cede England
a strip of territory near-Hong Kong,
and all the surrounding islands in or
der to enable England to fortify them
securely and to increase the garrison.
-" Secretary Gage is quoted as saying
that in the annual estimate he would
send to congress he would name about
$30,000,000, and not above $25,000,
000, as the amount of the treasury de
ficit for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1898. The secretary said he expected
the, receipts from customs to increase
steadily, and in the apting months he
anticipated quite large importations.
AGAIN IN SESSION.
First Regular Meeting of the Fifty-Fifth
' Congress. .
-:, At noon Monday the first regular ses
8 ion of the 55th congress was launched
upon the unknown seas of legislation.
Simultaneously at both ends of the cap-
it ol, Speaker Keed in the house , and
Vice-President Hobart in the senate,
propped their gavels and called to or
der the bodies over which they preside,
The sun shone brightly afrorn a cloudless
sky, making a glorious bright Decern
ber day, with a tine of frost in the air,
and a breeze just strong enough to keep
the stars and stripes snapping from
the flagstaff's.
At the capitol crowds swarmed into
the corridors at an early hour and
choked tbe marine steps as they ascend
ed to the galleries from which they
were to view the show. As is usual on
such occasions, the reserved galleries
were carefully guarded, admission be
ing only by card, and the public had
great difficulty wedging itself into the
limited space set aside foi it.
In the Upper Houiet
The senate chamber at tii'e opening
session was a veritable conservatory;
The floral display was beautifol. Pre'
cisely at 12 o'clock the gavel of Vice
President Hobart fell, and the senate
was called to order. - An invocation
was delivered by Rev. Milburn, the
blind chaplain. Seventy -seven senators
responded on roll-call. .
The venerable Mr. Morrill, of Ver
mont, was first recognized by the vice-
president. He offered a resolution
which was passed, in the usual form
that the secretary inform the house
that tbe senate was in session and
ready to proceed to. business. .
Allison of Iowa presented a resolu
tion that a committee of two senators
be appointed to join a like committee
from the house to inform the president
that congress was in session, and pre
pared to receive any communication he
might desire to make. The resolution
was passed, and the vice-presiuent
named Allison and Gorman as a senate
committee.
By resolution of Cullom of Illinois,
.'the time of the daily meetings of the
senate was fixed at noon. On motion
of Hale of Maine, a recess was then
taken until 1 o'clock.
At 1:30 the senate reassembled and
.the committee, headed by Gorman, re
ported. Tbe president s message was
presented by Mr. Pruden at 1:30
o'clock, and was laid before the senate
and read. - - - -- . -
In the Lover House.
The house of representatives present
ed an animated appearance long before
noon. : The surrounding corridors were
filled with jostling, moving crowds be
fore 11 o'clock. The galleries which
overlook the floor were black with peo
ple. , Floral tributes for members were
numerous, and in some instances im
posing. .
. As the hands of .the clock pointed to
43 Speaker Reed, attired in a black
cutaway coat, and wearing a red tie
ascended tbe rostrum. The crack o
the gavel subdued the din on the floor
and conversation in the galleries. In
.the deep silence which followed the
calling of the assemblage to order,
prayer ; was -offered by the eminent
divine, Rev. Chalres A. Boney, of
England, who delivered an invocation
solemn and impressive.
'The speaker then directed the clerk
to call the roll. The roll call showed
the presence of 801 members. There
were 55 vacancies from death or resig
nation during tne recess, and tne cre
dentials of the members-elect were read
by direction of the speaker, who then
administered the oath of office to them
On motion of Dingley a resolution was
adopted fomthe appointment of a com
mittee of three to join the senate com
mittee to wait upon the president -and
inform him that congress was ready to
receive any communication he, desired
to make. The speaker named Dingley,
Grosvenor and Bailey for this honor.
On motion of Henderson of Iowa daily
sessions to begin at noon each day. were
ordered. The house then took a short
recess.
When the house reassembled the
committee appointed to wait upon the
president reported, having perfected its
mission. .Mr. Pruden, who had fol
lowed the committee into the hall, im
mediately presented the message, which,
by direction of the speaker, was read at
the clerk's desk.
Appropriations Recommended,
Secretary Gage Monday transmitted
to congress estimates of the appropria
tions required for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1899,' as furnished by several
executive departments. The total
amount called for in the estimates is
$462,647,885, which is about $32,000,
000 in excess of the appropriations for
1898, including deficiencies and miscel
laneous expenses, and about $41,000,-
000 more than was estimated for 1898.
Under the head of public works the
treasury department, among other items,
asks for $100,000 for the erection of a
courthouse, penitentiary, etc., at Sitka,
Alaska, and $50,000 for continuation
of the work on the public building at
Portland, Or.
Haytl Ready to Fay.
A dispatch to the Frankfurter Zei-
tung of Berlin from Washington says
Hayti is ready to pay Germany the in
demnity demanded for the alleged ille
gal arrest and imprisonment of Herr
Emil Lueders, a German subject
- Fatal Hotel Fire.
Fire broke out in the Lake house in
Milwaukee, Wis. Sixty people were
asleep in the hostlery at the time.
Charles Patterson, a dock laborer,
lost his life, being overcome by smoke,
and five others were injured. The pe
cuniary loss is small. ---..,,
Anti- Hebrew Riot Quelled.
An anti-Hebrew riot -which started
in Budapesth has finally . been quelled
by the police who made 100 arrests...;
Disabled in Collision. - ''.''
:. The steamship Corean, New York,
for Glasgow, has put in to Halifax, N.
S,, having been in collision with an
unknown steamer. ' ; ' ".'"."
One rainy afternoon a Sullivan Har
bor, Me., woman sought entertainment
in pulling to pieces, a pincushion that
was a wedding present 25 ; years ago.
She found therein 507 needles of assort
ed sizes. - . .
At the election in the Chickasaw na
tion, the ratification ' of the Dawes
Choctaw treaty was overwhelmingly
defeated.
HE LOCKS AT TRE DALLES
The Government Proposes to
Push the Work.
CANAL WILL BE SPEEDILY DUG
Eastern Washington and Idaho Are In
terested in the Project The Boat
. Railway Experiment. -
Washington, Dec. 7. Further in
formation respecting the proposed canal
and locks for the channel at the dalles
is to the effect that it is proposed to
push the work with a deal of rapidity.
The contract - system and modern
methods of excavation and building
have made it clear that years need not
be spent upon a work of this character.
If the contract for improving the Co
lumbia by a small channel at the dalles
is adopted it will no doubt be stipulat
ed that the work must be done with
rapidity. Heretofore Oregon has as
sumed control over the proposed im
provement at this place. Eastern
Washington and Idaho, it is now said,
will take a hand in the matter, and
will not consider the Columbia river
wholly an Oregon stream. ' Upper Co
lumbia river interests begin to press
upon the Washington and Idaho con
gressmen, and make them feel the need
of doing something to secure the water
outlet to the Pacific ocean without in
terruption. A theory which has been supplement
ed on to some extent here in Washing
ton is the fact that certain engineers
who approved the boat railway scheme
wanted an experiment of this kind
tried for the purpose of influencing
other works in the United States, both
of a public and a private nature. It is
also said that engineers are somewhaV
accommodating, and are not very anxi
ous to go oontrary to the wishes of Con
gressmen who push particular schemes.
Engineers who have gone contrary to
what senators and representatives have
wanted, have been subject to severe ,
criticism, and this theydo not fancy
any more than other people. '
It must be acknowledged also that,
while the boat railway scheme has re
ceived the indorsement of many emi
nent engineers, it has also been some
thing of a laughing-stock, and way.
down deep the leading engineers of the
army . never believed that congress
would authorize it, or that a boat rail
way would be built. It is one of the
subjects that they always smiled about
and would raise their eyebrows with a
look of amusement when asked for a
serious opinion upon the project. The
greatest drawback to the boat railway, :
as always stated frankly by some of the
engineers, was that it would cost $80,
000 a year to maintain it, and that no
one could tell how muoh would eventu- -ally
be spent for repairs and break
downs. The canal project has always
been most favorably considered, and it
looks as if that was to be the improve-"
ment for that portion of the Columbia,
river.
The seoretary of the interior has ap- ;
proved patents to the Oregon & Cali
fornia Railroad Company, of lands ;
amounting to 3,851 acres in the Rose
burg land district.
NEW RAILROAD RECORD.
Union Pacific Makes the Fastest Time
in the West.
. Omaha, Neb., Deo. 7. Celebrating
its new birthday, the new .Union Pa
cific has taken two more fails out of
Father Time and has set a pace for fast
running that will likelv stand in the
West for some time. Three record
breaking spurts in one week is its rec
ord. The first was done last Tuesday. .
At that time, a 520-mile run was made
at the rate of 62 miles an hour, with
a 100-mile dash at the rate of 68.2
miles an hour.
Yesterday, the fast mail was again
late in Wyoming, and was danced
across tbe .Nebraska plains at a rate
that makes Tuesday's run look slow.
It covered 42 miles, from Sidnev to
Julesburg, in 38 minutes; 81 miles,
from Julesburg to North Platte, in 71
minutes; 60 miles, North Platte to Lex
ington, in 60 . minutes; 35 miles, Lex
ington to Kearney, in 83 minutes, and
a final dash of 42 miles, from Kearney
to Grand Island, in 36 minutes, or 70
miles an hour. - The 261 miles from
Sidney to Grand Island was made in
238 minutes, an average of 65.6 miles
an hour. From Grand Island to Omaha
the speed was ordinary, the lost time
having been made up.
Today the Union Pacific brought a
theatrical company on a special train
from Julesburg to Council Bluffs, 294
miles, in 286 minutes. From . this
must be deducted five minutes for
changing engines at Grand Island;
four minutes by a Missouri Pacific
train on the crossing at Petrel, and
necessary slowing up through Omaha,
and a slow run over the Missouri river
bridge. The actual running time of.
the train was 275 minutes, an average
of 63.6 miles an hour.
Nickerson, Kan., Dec. 7. While
temporarily insane, Mrs. M. E. Ross
today saturated her clothing with kero
sene and set herself afire. She was
burned to a crisp.' Her husband and -
daughter, in trying to extinguish the
flames, were perhaps fatr.lly burned.
Corner in Wheat.
Minneapolis,- Dec. 7. It is reported
at the chamber of commerce that the
Peavey Elevator Companies have made
combine with - the Pillsbury com
panies and secured control of not only
the wheat in Minneapolis, but ' all the
wheat in elevators throughout the
Northwest. If this story in true
Peavey and Pillsbury can sit back and
let the price of wheat go where it will.
They would be independent of any
price speculators might make. No fig
ures as to the extent of tbe corner are .
given, but a grain man who la Known
to be on the inside says the story of
the corner is correct. :.
No Pardon for the "Msneator."
Denver, Dec. 7. The state board of
pardons has refused to recommend a
pardon for Alfred Paoker, the "man
eater." The application of Mike Ryan,
who is serving a sentence for assault .
and robbery, was also denied. The
only ' pardon recommended . was for
Nicholas 5 Tully, : sentenced- from El
Paso county for complioity in blowing
up the shafthouse of the Armstrong
nine at Cripple Creek in 1894.