Birmingham state herald., December 19, 1895, Image 1

About Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897

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BIRMINGHAM STATE HERALD.
VOLUME 22: BIRMINGHAM, ALA., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1895. NUMBER. 94.
SENATORS ARENOT EXCITED
♦
They Went About Their Work
as Calmly as Usual.
NO WAR TALK INDULGED IN
A Bill Was Introduced to Relieve Confederates
of Their Disabilities.
THE HOUSE WAS THE REAL SEAT OF WAR
Mr. Hitt Introduced and Had Passed a Bill
Appropriating $100,00® to Defray
the Expenses of a Venezuela
Investigating Committee.
Washington, Dec. 18.—There was an
unsually small attendance of senators
at the opening of today s session, and
there was not the least sign or Indication
of excitement growing out of the presi
dent's message in reference to the Mon
roe doctrine. Mr. Hill, democrat, of New
York, introduced a bill to repeal the law
which provides that no person that held
a commission in the army or navy of th(|
United States at the beginning of the
late rebellion, and who afterwards
served in any capacity in the military,
naval or civil service of the Confederate
states, shall be appointed to any position
in the army or navy of the United States.
He asked that the bill be put upon its
passage at once, remarking that it was
particularly proper and opportune “at
this critical period of our history, that
such an offensive epithet should be wiped
out. The vice-president asked whether
there were any objections to Mr. Hill's
request that the bill be now considered.
Mr. Platt, republican, of Connecticut,
said that the request seemed to him
raliicr remarkable. It was likely that
all the senators would vote for it, but in
the absence of the senator from Massa
chusetts, Hoar, who was the first repub
lican senator on the Judiciary committee,
he would insist on the bill going to the
committee. There was no immediate
haste for the passage of the bill. The
country was not likely to get into war
before the reassembling of congress.
The bill was allow'ed to remain on the
table.
Mr. Davis, republican, of Minnesota,
offered a resolution, which was agreed
to, calling on the president for all diplo
matic correspondence and other informa
tion respecting the establishment of
post routes by Great Britain or the Do
minion of Canada over or upon United
States territory in Alaska, also respeet
ing the occupation of that territory by
he military or civil authorities of Great
Britain or Canada, also respecting any
other attempt by Great Britain or Can
ada to assert any claim to the territory
of the United States in Alaska.
The resolution heretofore offered by
Mr. Call, democrat, of Florida, for the
p.ppot.ntment of a select committee to
Investigate the organized efforts of cor
porations to control the election of mem
bers of congress, or to influence the legis
lation of congress, was taken up, and
Mr. Call made an argument in favor of
its adoption.
Mr. Hale, republican, of Maine, could
see no reason why, if the subject was to
be investigated, it should not be done by
the committee on privileges and elections
—a committee that had always investi
gated that class of subjects. He admit
ted that perhaps the great corporations
of the country were beginning to exert a
stronger and more dangerous influence
on legislation than they had done for
merly.
ivir. tnanaier susiaineu ivir. e.aii s re
quest, and said that If he (Mr. Chandler)
were in a grapple with the corporations
In New Hampshire, as Mr. Call was in
Florida, he would confidently ask the
senate for an Investigation, and would
expect his request to be complied with.
Mr. Call denounced railroad corpora
tions In Florida as a political power that
had divested the people of the control of
questions connected with their corporate
Interests. They had done it through
bribery and corruption, and even the two
houses of congress had not escaped the
imputation that the same Influence had
been powerful over them.
Mr. Sewell, republican, of New Jersey,
made his first speech since his election
to the senate in opposition to the resolu
tion unless its scope was confined to the
state of Florida. He saw no reason why
a select committee should be appointed
to drag railroad officers and directors
all over the United States. These men,
he said, were the peers of senators—they
were eminent before the country, and
were, as a class, as honest as other men.
Mr. Caffery of Louisiana also opposed
the resolution. The senate, he said,
would belittle itself by entertaining loose,
floating, indefinite charges against cor
porations. If any specific charge was
made in the senate he would not be be
hind other senators in voting for an In
vestigation.
The resolution having been again read,
Mr. Hale, republican, of Maine, re
marked that it needed still further prun
ing. It now applied to the election of
members of the other house, as well as
of the senate, and such an investigation
was clearly outside of the power of the
senate. He moved to amend the resolu
tion by confining it to the question of
the election of senators.
During the discussion, the concurrent
resolution for a recess from December 20
to January 3 was received from the
house, laid before the senate and re
ferred to the committee on appropria
tions.
Mr. Caffery, continuing, argued that
the states themselves were primarily
charged with such investigations, and
Intimated that If a bill on the subject
should be reported the republican ma
jority would re-enact the late federal
election law. The question was taken on
Mr. Hale’s amendment to confine the
resolution to the election of members of
the United States senate, and It was re
jected.
Mr. Sewell, republican, of New Jersey,
moved to amend the resolution by insert
ing after the word ’’corporation” the
words, "of the state of Florida,” and It
was rejected—yeas 20, nays 32.
The following Is the vote In detail:
Yeas—Caffery, Cameron, Faulkner,
Frye, Gallinger, Hale, Hawley, Hill,
Lodge, McBride, McMillan, Morrill, Per
kins, Platt, Proctor Sewell, Sherman,
Shoup, Smith, Wetmore—20.
Nays—Allen, Bacon, Baker, Bate, Ber
ry, Blackburn, Burrows. Butler, Call.Car
ter, Chilton, Clark, Cockrell, Davis, Du
bois, George, Harris. Jones of Arkansas,
Kyle, Mantle, Mills, Mitchell of Wiscon
sin, Morgan, Peffer, Quay, Roach, Teller,
Thurston, Tillman, Turple, Walthall,
White—32.
The morning hour having expired, the
resolution would have gone to the calen
dar, but Mr. Call moved to continue Us
consideration, and that motion was
agreed to—yeas 38, nays 12.
When Mr. Hale moved to substitute
for a select committee the committee on
privileges and elections that motion was
agreed to—yeas 29, nays 24.
The resolution as thus amended was
then agreed to. It reads:
Resolved, That the committee on priv
ileges and elections shall be charged w’ith
the duty of investigating the subject of
organized efforts of corporations, or of
the president and directors thereof, to
control the election of members of con
gress or to influence the legislation of
congress; also to investigte and report
to the senate whether corrupt means,
bribery er free transportation have been
or are being used to influence such elec
tions; also to inquire and report to the
senate whether the use of such influence
or means is consistent with the preserva
tion of the republic of the United States
and the rights and liberties of the peo
ple, and to report a bill for the punish
ment or suppression of such practices.
A motion to reconsider the vote by
which the resolution was agreed to was
made by Mr. Call on account of his oppo
sition to the Hale amendment referring
(he inquiry to the committee on privi
leges and elections. The motion was
entered.
The senate then at 2:25 p. m. proceeded
to the consideration of executive busi
ness. At 2:50 the doors were reopened
and the senate adjourned until tomor
row.
The House.
Immediately after the reading of the
journal in the house this morning Mr.
Hitt, republican, of Illinois, asked unan
imous consent for the present considera
tion of a bill which he sent to the desk
and had read. It appropriated $100,000
for the payment of the expenses of the
commisslonsuggested by President Cleve
land in his message yesterday for the
purpose of determining the true divi
sional line between Venezuela and-Brit
Ish Guiana. The reading of the bill was
followed by applause.
Mr. Boutelle, republican, of Maine,
asked if it were the intention to pass the
bill without debate.
Mr. Hitt stated that that was his de
sire.
Mr. Boutelle said he hoped that In view'
of the vast importance and serious t'.av
Ity of the consequences that might grow
out of the passage of the bill the house
would proceed in a decorous and delib
erate maner in the consideration of this
matter. The message of the president
upon the subject was read to the house
yesterday, and' he did not believe that the
members of the house were so fully ad
vised of the matter as they should be
when called upon to act definitely upon
the proposition.
Numerous voices—We are ready.
Gentlemen around him, Mr. Boutelle
said, declared their readiness to proceed,
“but,” he continued, “I do no ill service
to the honor and dignity of my country
when I asked the gentlemen of the house
to proceed with the decorum due a mat
ter of such great responsibility, affecting
the welfare, probably, of the two great
English-speaking nations of the world.”
Mr. Boutelle said he had been charged
with being a jingo, whatever that might
be, and he did not think it was necessary
for him to state, wherever he was known,
that should congress and the president
find themselves In a position where they
felt it necessary to call the country to
arms that he would not be found lagging
behind. The press this .morning, he
said, brought to the public notice that
In the consideration of this affair the
members of the house should take coun
sel of their calmness and deliberation.
The eyes of all the people, he said, were
upon the house and senate this day,
and to this matter the members ought
to give as much consideration as would
be devoted to an appropriation of a few
thousand dollars. He hoped that the bill
would be sent to a committee in the reg
ular way, to be thoroughly digested there
and then reported to the house.
Speaker Reed—Does the gentleman ob*r
ject?
Mr. Boutelle—I have not objected. I
simply suggested the hope that the bill
might be sent to a committee.
The speaker—Is there objection to the
immediate consideration of the bill? (A
pause.) The chair hears none.
Mr. Hitt—Mr. speager, appreciating an
that was said by the gentleman who ha3
just taken his seat and the patriotic Im
pulse that led him to make his remarks.
I desire to say only a word In explana
tion of the bill and Its purposes, which
I trust will satisfy every one in this
house, and I say it without mentioning
this side of the house or that side. I hope
we have not two sides of the house when
it comes to a question of this kind. (Ap
plause.) The president on yesterday
sent a message to this house, at the con
clusion of the reading of which the house
adjourned and there was no time for ac
tion. and it might have been deemed
precipitate to have taken any at that
time, but we have examined it after hav
ing heard It read from the desk. After
a general discussion in that message of
doctrines, policies and national interests
there was a request made directly by the
executive of this house for action to aid
In the exercise of his executive functions.
It Is purely ah executive function to as
certain all the facts relating to any ques
tion of negotiation with a foreign coun
try. The gravity of the case Is such that
the president suggests a mode of deter
mining a cardinal question In the con
troversy, and he asks us to co-operate
with him by enabling him to appoint
three men to examine the records and
evidence of the facts involved. In this
contention between the two great gov
ernments the first fact for us to remem
ber as patriotic Americans is that the
success of our country in Its contention
depends above all upon our presenting a
united front, so that all Americans shall
appear to be one, and that our govern
ment shall speak for all the people of
the United States (applause), and the
prompt response of the people’s represen
tatives here in according this small sum
of money to pay the expenses of an in
vestigation. which the. president says
shall be carefully and Judiciously made,
and with the least delay possible—a sug
gestion which I am sure was made in
good faith and will be so carried out by
an American president—we answering in
that spirit which becomes Americans
and promptly granting the appropriation
the spectacle will be presented of a re
public that is one man. (Applause.) In
negotiations of this character any offi
cer charged with the duty of represent
ing this government Is hampered and his
opponent Is encouraged by every word
of dissent that comes to his home. Every
criticism behind the officer's back puts
him at a disadvantage, and hesitation by
♦ his congress, the proposing of this sim
ple question of an appropriation to aid
the president In performing an executive
function, would be construe! by the Brit
ish press and the British government as
evidence that the people of the United
State§ were not behind the president;
that his action In the matter had some
relation to party tactics, and that he did
not speak the voice of the American peo
ple. Let us answer and do our duty, all
of us, now. We shall have long days In
which ta discuss the Monroe doctrine and
the exact words in which It should be
formulated if we do not agree with the
precise words in which Mr. Olney or the
president has put It. But on this matter
discussion only confuses and gives aid
and comfort to those across the sea. Any
disclosure of dissent here—and at the
bottom there Is really none—
would not aid, buta would ham
per those clothed by the constitution ,
with this great duty. I hope therefore
that the house will proceed to pass the
bill without delay. I have made these
few remarks, not from any desire to de
bate, but merely as a suggestion by way
of guidance to the action which I believe
we ought to take, and I hope all will
concur. And now, Mr. Speaker, unless
there is some considerable body of gentle
men here who desire discussion X will
move the previous question.
Mr. Crisp of Georgia—Mr. Speaker:
Together with all on this side of th«
house, I rejoice that the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hitt) has been recognized
to ask consideration of the bill which
has Just been read at the clerk’s desk.
It does seem to me that there can be no
division In this house as to the propriety
of the immediate passage of that bill.
For a great many years there has been
a controversy as to the divisional line be
tween the republic of Venezuela and
British Guiana. We respectfully invited
Great Britain to submit the controversy
between that government and the repub
lic of Venezuela to arbitration. Great
Britain has declined arbitration. Now,
what are we to do? If the American
people have a fixed opinion upon any
question, it Is the opinion that no Euro
pean country shall be permitted to ac
quire territory on the American conti
nent by force. (Applause.) Now, the
question is, what are we to do? Inas
much as Great Britain has declined ar
bltratlon of this controversy, we are
hound to ascertain, and to ascertain
speedily, on which side lies the right, and
that is the object of the president’s
message and of this bill. If we are not
to have the assistance of Great Britain
In ascertaining the facts by means of ar
bitration. then we must ascertain for
ourselves, and we ought to do it at once.
The suggestion of my friend from Maine
(Mr. Boutelle) to wait until a committee
is appointed means to wait three weeks,
while we should at once authorize the ap
pointment of this commission and the
payment of its expenses, so that it may
proceed, so that when we ascertain
where the right is we have the courage
and the manhood to maintain it. (Loud
applause.}
The previous question was then or
dered without a dissenting vote, and the
bill read a third time and passed unani
mously.
Mr. Dlngley, republican, of Maine, of
fered a concurrent resolution providing
for a holiday recess extending from Fri
day. December 20, to Friday, Jantiary 3, ■
1896.
Mr. Meredith, democrat, of Virginia
Before the resolution Is passed 1 would
like to hav« some gentleman on the other
side introduce a bill to repeal the law for-;
hiddlng old Confederates from serving in
the army or navy. I think this would be
a good time.
The resolution was passed, and then, at
12:40. on motion of Mr. Dlngley, the house
adjourned until Friday.
THE PRESIDENT^ INDORSED.
Congressman Stallings Says That Grover Is
the Most Fortunate Man in
the World.
Montgomery, Dec. 18.—(Special.)—Con
gressman J. F. Stallings is In the city,
having arrived from Washington this
morning. In an interview this morn
ing he expressed great gratification at
the president’s message and the firm
stand he has taken on the Monroe doc
trine. ‘‘The friends of the administra
tion have something to be proud of to
day,” said Mr. Stallings, "and I am glad
of it. Saturday Mr. Cleveland had few
friends. Today everybody is singing his
praises. He is the most fortunate man in
the world. Now tell me the Hardshell
Baptists are not right? Doesn't the
Lord take care of his people?”
Horace Hood Indorses It.
The Journal says editorially this after
noon:
"The message of Mr. Cleveland on tne
Venezuelan boundary dispute is In line
with the public sentiment In this coun
try. Mr. Cleveland has struck a key
note, around which democrats and re
publicans, populists and mugwumps, free
stlverloons and goldbugs can all rally,
and all will indorse. He tells England
plainly, emphatically and firmly that it
cannot trample upon the Monroe doc
trine; and If it persists in its refusal to
arbitrate it must accept the only al
ternative and fight. It is a strong, clean
cut demand for the observance and re
spect of the Monroe doctrine, and is man
ly, patriotic and statesmanlike in utter
ance and in purpose. As Mr. Cummings
of New York truly said, 'it breathes the
spirit of Thomas Jefferson, James Mon
roe and Andrew Jackson.’ ”
Will Dodd Pardoned.
This morning Governor Oates par
doned Will Dodd, who was convicted of
murder in the second degree at the Bir
mingham circuit court on June 15, 1889.
He was sentenced to ten years In the pen
itentiary, the term expiring June 15, 1899.
The pardon takes effect on the 23d in
stant. It was recommended by Judge
Greene, before whom Dodd was tried.
The Supreme Court.
The following decisions were rendered
by the supreme court today:
Brlckell, C. J.—Francis A. Howard vs.
the state of Alabama, appeal from Wash
ington circuit court; reversed and re
manded.
Nicholas Brown vs. the state of Ala
bama, appeal from Baldwin circuit court;
reversed and remanded.
McClellan, J.—J. R. Warren & Co. vs.
G. W. Wilcocks et ol„ appeal from Con
ecuh chancery court; affirmed.
City council of Montgomery vs. Na
tional Building and Loan association;
affirmed.
Coleman, J.—Frederick G. Bromberg
vs. John M. Yerkes, appeal from Moblla
chancery court; affirmed.
Head, J.—James Costello vs. the state
of Alabama, appeal from Jefferson cir
cuit court; affirmed.
James Statb i vs. the state of Ala
bama, appeal .om Jefferson criminal
court; affirmed.
Haralson. J.—William R. Peck, admin
istrator, vs. James V. Ashurst, appeal
from Montgomery chancery court; af
firmed. Brlckell. C. J., hot sitting.
The following orders were granted by
the supreme court today:
Southern Express company vs. Solo
mon W. Holland, from Conecuh circuit
court; submitted on briefs.
R. A. Lee vs. B. A. Llde, from Conecuh
circuit court; submitted on briefs.
Ethelta J. Jackson vs. Emma S. Isbell
et al., from Montgomery chancery court;
submitted on briefs.
M. P. LeGrand et al.. administrator,
etc., et al., vs. B. B. McKensle et al.,
from Montgomery chancery court (two
cases); argued and submitted.
William W. Cogblll vs. Absolom M.
Kennedy et al., from Montgomery pro
bate court; argued and submitted.
Mr. Francis G. Calfey of Montgomery,
after being examined for admission to
the bar by the attorney-general, Capt.
J. G. Winter and Mr. W. A. Gunter, was
admitted and made a fine argument for
the appellant in the Cogbill-Kennedy
will case._
Railway Earnings.
New York, Deo. 1*.—For the second
week of December the Southern railway
earned $405,121, an Increase of $21,427.
OPINIONS ONTHE MESSAGE
It Is Thoroughly Indorsed on
All Sides
WITHOUT AN EXCEPTION
The Sun, Nashville’s New Paper, Ridicules
the Idea of War.
SOUTHERNERS ARE VERY ENTHUSIASTIC
Senators and Congressmen Propose to Back
Up the President in the Most Sub
stantial Manner—Are Ready to
Appropriate Money.
Washington, Dec. 18.—Several senators
are thoroughly In earnest about the pres
ident's message, and propose to back him
up in the most substantial manner.
There have been numerous conferences of
senators and there appfars to be some
what practical unanimity that an appro
priation should be speedily made that
would enable the administration to equip
an army If it were necessary to cull one
into the field.
With this Idea in view, unanuier uu»
morning introduced a bill which provides
that the president be and he is hereby
authorized and directed to strengthen
the military armament by adding there
to, equipped for use, 1,000,000 infantry
rifles, 1000 guns for Held artillery and not
exceeding 5000 heavy guns for fortifica
tions, to be procured by manufacture in
arsenals or by contract for manufacture,
by direct purchase, in this country or
elsewhere, according to the discretion of
the president, who shall conform, when
practicable, without unwise delay, to the
methods prescribed for making contracts
and purchases by existing laws.
The sum of $100,000,000 is appropriated
to carry into effect the provisions of this
act.
The bill was referred to the committee
on military affairs.
Mr. Grout, republican, of Vermont, of
fered in the house a bill of the same pur
port as Mr. Chandler’s. It appropriates
$100,000,000, to be available immediately,
for the construction of fortifications and
other works of defense on the sea coasts
and along the Canadian frontier, and for
their armament with heavy ordnance.
To provide the moneys for the execu
tion of this act, the bill authorizes the is
sue and sale, at not less than par for
coin, of $100,000,000 In 2 per cent bonds,
running from one to thirty years, at the
pleasure of the governmet, to be offered
to the public in sums of $20, $50 and $100
and multiples of $100, not exceeding
$1000. And they may be used in the pay
ment of treasury warrants to such per
sons as may choose to receive them at
P After the bill appropriating $100,000 for
the expenses of a Venezuelan boundary
commission had been, passed in the house
today, Mr. Harrison, democrat, of Ala
bama, endeavored to have read a tele
gram from a citizen of Alabama, but Mr.
Dalzell, republican, of Pennsylvania, ob
jected. It was from a resident of Mr. Har
rison’s district offering to raise and equip
a regiment In case the United States
went to war with Great Britain.
"The bill I Introduced In the senate to
day,” said Senator Chandler tonight,
"was not Intended especially to apply to
our present foreign complications. We
need a new armament for the army, and
are sadly In need of small arms. Several
years ago we began the enlargement and
improvement of our navy, and the work
has been going on steadily ever since.
The navy Is popular, and our people take
a commendable pride in it. But, on the
other hand, what arC we to do with our
land forces? We could mobilize 1,000.000
men in short order; the south would un
dertake the contract of pouring 100,000
men into Cuba, if need be, and we could
within a few days send 900,000 into Can
ada But these men would need modern
small arms. We can raise regiments fast
enough, but to arm them requires time.
My bill contemplates the securing of 1.
000,000 infantry rifles and such field artil
lery as will be necessary to properly
equip an army. Whether we have any
trouble with Great Britain or not. we
should have these modern implements of
war for emergency cases."
Senator Daniel Delighted.
Lynchburg, Va„ Dec. 18—Senator Dan
iel who is a member of the senate com
mittee on foreign relations, was seen by
a reporter of the News today and asked
what he thought of the president’s mes
sage on the Venezuelan question. He re
pied with great earnestness:
"It is a grand messagp. I am delighted
with it. It will be hailed all over the
country with Joy as a clear, manly ut
terance of the great American doctrine of
Monroe, and all over the world it will
he received and respected as the ul
timatum of the great western republic
that will have no Mfs' to stand In the
way of Its manifest duty and its mani
fest destiny. As a state papar the mes
sage is above criticism in its temper,
style and tone, as well as in its historic
recitals and its logical conclusions. It
will rank as the foremost deliverance of
President Cleveland.
"The democratic party will stand as
one man at his back, and the south will
stand as one man at his back also. But It
to a question above party and above sec
tion. All parties and all sections will
be united to support the president,
and even more united, than were the
colonies In the revolutionary war In the
support of Washington and Independ
ence. Grpat Britain will understand
now and forever that the United States Is
not to bp trifled with, and if her states
men are so shortsighted as to precipitate
war they will be as sternly rebuked as
was George III when he was taught a
lesson by the continentals.
“In short, I am happy over the mes
sage.” said the senator in conclusion.
“It places this country Just where it be
longs -at the head of the nations.”
It mav be remembered that Senator
Daniel in an address at Michigan uni
versity laHt spring expounded the Mon
roe doctrine. In that address he took the
precise grounds that the president has
set forth In his message.
Governors Stone and Atkinson. -
Washington, Dec. 18.—Dispatches have
been received here from Governor Stone
of Mississippi characterizing the presi
dent’s message as sound and statesman
like and fully approving of it.
Also from Governor Atkinson of Geor
gia stating that the message commands
the approval of Georgia, and from Gov
ernor O'Ferrall of Virginia stating that
the message In his polnion is “courageous
and truly . American."
Virginia’s Legislature.
Richmond, Va., Dec. 18.—The house of
delegates today unanimously adopted
a resolution upholding and Indorsing
President Cleveland in his message of
yesterday, sustaining him In his position
on the Monroe doctrine and assuring him
of the support of Virginia, should it be
needed.
Nashvillo’s New Paper.
Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 18—The Daily
Sun says: The declaration of the presi
dent In favor of the Monroe doctrine en
forcement will find an echo in the hearts
of the American people. There will be
no war over this matter. Rothschild will
not permit his twin wards to cut each
other's throats. He will not loan us gold
to give to our Idle laborers the congenial
employment of shedding English gore.
England cannot afford to lose her grip
on the endless chain with which she
plays hide-and-seek with our gold re
serve nnd Increases her mortgages on
our posterity, for the sake of a few miles
of inconsequential territory In Vene
zuela.
She has too much property in us to
fight us, and we are too dependent on her
for gold to keep up our credit under the
present financial system to fight her.
England will not mobilize her army, as
semble her ships and surround her coast
with torpedoes as soon as the message Is
read. Venezuela need not flatter herself
that she will escape. If England really
cares for the strip of territory in dispute.
Diplomacy is more tedious than war,
but with England It is scarcely less cer
tain. It is more polite to take a thing by
arbitration than it Is to take it by force
of arms, and it causes much less scandal.
If England and the United States have
not engaged in creating a diversion to
(lyaw public attention from troublesome
international questions, and England
really wants a little slice of thgterritory
of Venezuela, she will probably get It.
The Enquirer-Sun.
Columbus, Ga„ Dec. 18.—The Enquirer
Sun of today, commenting upon the
president’s message, says:
The message sent to the congress yes
terday by President Cleveland practical
ly brings to a head the issue on the Mon
roe doctrine with the 'government of
Great Britain. The president. In his com
ments on the Salisbury letter, while ex
pressing an appreciation of all the re
sponsibility involved, and regretting a
collision between two such friendly gov
ernments, took the position that in this
issue the Monroe doctrine must be main
tained He recommended to the con
gress the appointment of a commission
•to make an Immediate investigation of
the boundary line in dispute, and If sat
isfied that Great Britain is in the Wrong
and encroaching, or attempts to en
croach, on territory in Venezuela contra-'
ry to the Monroe doctrine, the United
States government shail resist such en
croachment with all the power and re
sources at its command. The message
was a firm, fearless and patriotic decla
ration of the great American principle
involved in the Monroe doctrine, and
bravely urged upon the congress the im
perative duty of this government to
stand by Its rights with every pow'er at
its command.
Atlanta Constitution.
Atlanta, Dec. 18.—The Constitution
says editorially:
There will be no disposition, in this sec
tion at least, to criticise or object to the
tone and spirit of Mr. Cleveland’s mes
sage with which he accompanies the cor
respondence between this country and
Great Britain In regard to the Venezue
lan matter. It will doubtless prove of
fensive to the tories, whose commercial
instincts have abolished all patriotic im
pulses from their minds, but the great
body of the people will enthusiastically
approve the firm stand Mr. Cleveland
has taken.
The president says he is fully alive to
the responsibilities incurred, and keenly
realizes all the consequences that may
follow. "Nevertheless, there is no ca
lamity which a great nation can invite
that equals that which follows a supine
submission to wrong and injustice, and
the consequent loss of national self-re
spect and honor, beneath which are
shielded enddefended by a people’s safety
and greatness.”
To that every true American will say
amen!
The New Orleans Slates.
New Orleans, Dec. 18.—The Daily
States says of President Cleveland's
mesage:
Not within thirty years has the spirit
of patriotic Americans been so thorough
ly roused as it was yesterday by the
special message which President Cleve
land addressed to congress on the Vene
zuelan dispute. It was a vigorous docu
ment and a ringing declaration that the
Monroe doctrine is a recognized principle
of this government, and its enforcement
Is Important to our peace and safety as a
nation.
The splendid and patriotic message of
the president will make him more popu
lar than he ever was with the American
people. That document, which Is today
the sole topic of conversation in every
nook and corner of the land, has given
the lie to the charge that the honor of the
country was not safe in his hands. It
will, we are sure, command the applause
of the "jingo," as well as the conserva
tive.
Mobile Register.
Mobile, Dec. 18.—Commenting on the
president’s message to congress on the
Venezuela question, the Mobile Register
says: The firmness with which Mr.
Cleveland proclaims the American doc
trine will meet with the approval of all
true citizens of the republic. Our atti
tude as opposed to that assumed by
Great Britain will not fail to bring about
negotiations looking to a peaceful settle
ment.
We hope the gravity of the situation
will cause it to be treated soberly and
with wisdom. There is a great deal at
stake, and especially here in the south.
War, or even temporary interruption of
friendly Intercourse between the United
States and Great Britain, means the
stoppage of our cotton and timber trade
with the united kingdom and a serious
loss to our producers, who are poorly
prepared to endure It. We shall not on
this account, however, counsel abandon
ment of the policy that has been so man
fully maintained by our democratic pres
ident.
Montgomery Advertiser.
Montgomery, Dec. 18.—The Advertiser
this morning said: The response from
the British government has been received
and yesterday President Cleveland sent
a message to congress, firm, but conserv
ative in tone, in which the appointment
of a commission to ascertain the true
boundary line in Venezuela is recom
mended, with the further statement that
it would be the duty of this country to
maintain that line when once established.
This, we feel sure, will not lead to trou
ble with Great Britain, but will rather
have the effect of inclining that govern
ment to an arbitration of the matters in
dispute.
Army Officers Are Pleased.
Port Monroe, Va., Dec 18.—The presi
dent’s message is hailed with delight by
the officers of the garrison and the naval
officers of the North Atlantic squadron,
now assembled here. Gray-halred lieu
tenants now see prospects of promotion.
THE CHILDRENS FESTIVAL
Drew a Great Crowd to the At
lanta Exposition.
THE ORPHANS REMEMBERED
Extremely Low Pates to Atlanta Are Being
Ta'^s.tdvantace of,
_
V
NEGRO D ^ WILL BE A GREAT SUCCESS
Their .istera Throughout the Laud Are
’ * jested to Preach a Special Ser
mon With Heference to the No
gro Exhibit.
Atlanta, Dec. 18.—The children's
Christmas festival drew a great crowd of
Atlanta people out to the exposition
grounds today. There was a float rep
resenting an Arctic grotto bearing Santa
Claus, with a procession of 300 school
children from the fifteen public schools
in costumes representing fifteen nation
alities. The exercises at the auditorium
Included distribution of gifts to all tho
orphans of the city. The afternoon
closed with a grand pyrotechnic display.
The Southern railway reports a large
movement of Texas and Arkansas peo
ple leaving those states for the exposi
tion tomorrow and up to the 25th. These
people usually take the holiday rates,
but the phenomenal rates made by all
southern railroads to the exposition have
caught the holiday business, and the in
dications are that many thousands will
come to Atlanta from the west during
the next ten days.
The Southern also reports that a large
crowd will come over from Birmingham
on Monday. Tho Atlanta and West
Point railway is preparing to bring large
crowds from Montgomery and Selma.
Exposition directors this afternoon in
vited the people of Birmingham, Annis
ton, Montgomery, Mobile and Selma to
name dates on the exposition calendar
and take advantage of the low rates to
attend the lair en masse. Birmingham
Is already moving and will come In force
on the 23rd. It Is expected that the other
cities will follow suit.
The committee of colored men having
In charge the arrangements for negro
day at the exposition, which Is fixed for
December 26. adopted a resolution to
day asking the colored ministers
throughout the land to preach a special
sermon or deliver atr address on Sunday,
December 22, w>tli reference to the negro
exhibit at th& Atlanta exposition and
what It means to the race, and to urge a
full turn out of the colored people to
witness the exhibit and exercises of that
day. Among the speakers on the pro
gramme for that day are some of the best
known orators of the race. Prof. R. R.
Wright of the Georgia State college, one
of the best known negroes In Georgia;
Rev. Y. U. Browne, president of the
Colored Savings bank at Richmond, Va.;
Hon. Isaiah T. Montgomery, who made
the speech In the Mississippi conven
tion, are among the speakers. The ne
groes are arranging through a citizens'
committee for a full trun out of their
race In Atlanta, and It Is safe to say that
negro day will be one of the red letter
days of the exposition. Commissioner I.
Garland Penn is in possession of in
formation from Kentucky, Tennessee,
North Carolina, Virginia, Texas and Mls
slppl to the effect that large dele
rates and be present.
breaOor liberty.
Eight Prisoners Run Over the Deputy Sheriff
of Bibb—Two Escape and Six Cap
tured—Tramp Killed.
Centrevllle, Dec. 18.—(Special.)—The
prisoners In the county Jail,eight In num
ber, made a rush on Deputy Sheriff La
tham last night as he went to let them out
In the corridor to exercise. All were recap
tured except a white man and a negro.
The white man's name Is Thrasher, and
he Is a brother of Bart Thrasher, who re
cently escaped from Pratt mines, and
was charged with murder. One of the
negroes who was recaptured was shot
through the shoulder while crossing the
Cahaba river at a fish trap.
A Mr. Edmondson, who was assisting
In recapturing the prisoners, was shot
through mistake, but not seriously
wounded.
A tramp was knocked off a trestle the
other day by a southbound freight train
and killed.
Nominations Confirmed.
Washington, Dec. 18.—The senate in
executive session today confirmed the
following nominations:
Allen Thomas of Florida, to be envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipoten
tiary to Veneguela.
Secretaries of legation—H. Clay Arm
strong. Jr., of Alabama at Madrid,
Spain, and William W. Russell of Mary
land to Venezuela.
Joseph R. Reed of Iowa, to be chief Jus
tice, and Wilbur F. Stone of Colorado,
Henry C. Sluss of Kansas, William W.
Murray of Tennessee and Thomas Fuller
of North Carolina, to be associate Jus
tices of (he court of private land claims.
Postmasters—S. B. Connor, Live Oak,
Fla.; A. K. Northrup. Pass Christian,
Miss.; J. R. Grlnage. Houma, La., and J.
Y. Henderson, Jacksonville. Ala.
Also, promotions in the navy, headed
by Commodore L. A. Beardslee, to be
rear admiral, and Capt. John A. Howell,
to be commodore, and Including those
in the engineer, medical and pay corps
and the graduates of the. naval academy.
5000 Miners Are Out.
Dallas. Tex., Dec. 18.—Telegrams re
ceived at the headquarters rtf' the Mis
souri, Kansas and Texas lailway in this
city at noon today say every coal mine
in the Indian Territory was closed by
strikers today. More than 5000 men are
on strike, and operations are entirely
stopped at Coal Gate. Lehigh, Briar
Creek, Krebs, Alderson. Hartshorne
and McAlester. The Missouri, Kansas
and Texas company has ordered that no
coal be shipped out, and that stocks on
hand be held for railroad use. This will
cause a fuel famine throughout north
and central Texas. The mines Involved
are owned by the Osage, the Choctaw
and the Atoka Coal and Mining
companies._
Capt. Isaac Eassett Is Dead.
Washington, Dec. 18.—Capt. Isaac Bas
sett, the veteran assistant doorkeeper of
of the senate, died at 4:15 this afternoon.
The Immediate cause of death was can
[ cer of the stomach.