Nebraska Newspapers

    j good ship abandoned
The Florida Drifting With Sails Set
and Lights Lit
Supp(„fa That the Crew Mutinied, Killed
the Oftlcer* and Took to the Boats
The Men Known to Have
Been Dluatlilled.
New York, Feb. 5.—The big ship
fiunic, which arrived from Liverpool,
brought in a strange story of the sea.
yvtTn. in., January 29, in latitude 44
minutes 50 seconds and longitude 43
minutes 40 seconds, she passed the de
relict Norwegian ship Florida. The
Florida was rolling about on the
waves, changing her course with every
shift of the wind. No sign of life could
be seen on board. Her side lights were
burning as if she had been lately aban
doned. Where were her men? Where
was her skipper? Depd—murdered,
perhaps; at any rate the big ship, still
flying the Norwegian flag at her fore
peak, reeled about on the waves like a
drunken man.
The Florida left Pascagoula on De
cember 31, hound for Derdrecht On
January 3 she put into Ship Island and
five days later cast anchor at Havana.
There her captain reported that her
crew were in a state of mutiny. The
crew charged the skipper with inhu
inanity, and had threatened his life.
The Norwegian consul prevailed upon
some of the men to return to duty.
Those who refused were put in irons
and returned to the vessel. On Janu
ary 10 the Florida hoisted her big sails
and the last seen of her by the people
on the Havana piers she was heading
straight for Norway.
Next comes the strange story of the
uanic. Perhaps down in the hold of
the drifting vessel the ironed men
Were dying. It may have been that
the crew of the ship took to the boats
and left tho captain to shift for him
self. There is very little of the milk
of human kindness in a mutinous
crew. It is doubtless another tragedy
of the sea, and the Florida will con
tinue to veer and swing about the
ocean until some day there will come a
storm and she will go to the bottom,
taking her tragic history with her.
The vessel appeared to the Kunic’s offi
cers to be seaworthy and there is no
apparent reason why she should have
been deserted, even had the crew mu
tinied. A broad deck is always more
comfortable than a frail boat, and es
pecially on the high seas.
Stories have been told of ships in the
tropic seas which were suddenly in
vaded with the plague and entirely de
populated. Could this have happened
with the Florida? It may have been,
and yet there was no plague or fever
in Havana
Far more likely that some time in
the midnight watches there were
shouts and shots and trampling of feet
and clanking of chains and running of
blood, and then a great carnival of
drunkenness and rudcrless drifting.
Then after all of this was over and
the knowledge of their crime burst
upon them, the mutineers loaded the
boats with a great clattering of the
davits, cursing and endless confusion,,
and rowed away over the sea, a gang
of Eugene Arams fleeing from their
crime. Such things may have been.
Anger and hate might lead them to
the crimes and fear cause them to leave
the ship,
The Florida was registered at 1,264
tons and carried a crew of twenty-five
men. She was built in 1867 by L.
King, at St. John, -N. B., and was
originally called the Laura Fletclier.
She is owned by Harsen & Abra'ftison,
of Porsgund, Norway.
PEARLS OF GREAT PRICE.
Mrs. Osborn* Paying; Dearly for the Har
Groaves Jewels.
London, Feb. 5.—Mrs. Florence
Ethel Osborne, who was arrested at
Divers, yesterday, upon landing there
from the Calais steamer, charged’ in
connection with the famous Osborne
Hargreaves stolen pearl case, with ob
taining the sum of £550 from Messrs.
Spink & Sons, jewelers, of Bond street,
the amount alleged to have been paid
to her for the stolen jewelry, was
brought up ^prisoner this morning in
the Guild hall court The lord mayor
of London, the Hon. David Evans, pre
sided. Mrs. Osborne, who was deadly
pa'e and in a fainting condition, was
escorted to a seat at the solicitor's
table.
At the opening of the court by the
lord mayor there was a long painful
delay and much whispering to and by
the court Apparently there was some
hitch in the proceedings Then it was
reported that the treasury officials had
decided not to prosecute on the
charges referred to above, but to
arraign her upon the more serious
charge of perjury. As the time wore
®n and nobody appeared for the
treasury, tho lord mayor became im
patient and finally sent a messenger,
bearing a warmly worded note, to the
treasury department, asking the reason
*°r the neglect of the treasury
t° send a representative to pre
■ent the charge against Mrs.
Osborne and notifying the depart
ment that the prisoner would be dis
charged unless the treasury was
promptly represented at the Guild hall,
f he result of the lord mayor's message
to the treasury department was that
an official from that branch of the gov
ernment appeared at the Guild hall
and announced that the treasury did
n°t intend lo offer any evidence
against Mrs. Osborne. The lord mayor,
®? Boon as he hnd recovered from the
state of dumbfoundedness in which he
had been plunged by the announce
ment of )he treasury's determination,
discharged the prisoner, and she left
the court room amidst applause from
those who had gathered to witness her
discomfiture.
f’he treasury's representative
was questioned as to the
reason for the unexpected
•tep on the part of the government,
but tho official mentioned, Vefuscd to
enlighten his questioners as to the
reason his department had for
refusing to press the false pre
senses charge against Mrs Osborns
Later In the day it transpired that
Mr*. Osborne Was re arrested shortly
“fter leaving the Quild hall, placed in
a cab and driven to the Bow street
police court, where she was
formally charged with perjury. The
prisoner was crying bitterly when
placed in the dock of the famous police
court. After hearing the evidence
Mrs. Osborne was formally remanded
for a week without bail.
THE GRANT MONUMENT.
/V Mare’s Mest Thai Will Startle the
Donators Promised.
hiEW York, Feb. 5.—There is every
reason to predict the early dissolution
of the squabbling organization known
as the Grant Monument association!
The latest row was started by the
Cullis crowd when they tried to run
things to suit themselves on Monday.
Colonel Shepard was one of them, and
he sprung a plan to postpone the
awarding of bids for the construction
of the granite base of the monument
in order that his (the colonel’s) crowd,
which is the same as the Cullis crowd,
might have time to control a majority
of the votes The colonel carried his
point. Then the colonel introduced a
resolution calling upon Governor
Flower to resign as ex-oftlclo member
of the board of trustees The members
of the board not in the deal broke out
with a big kick and a lively discussion
followed without conclusion.
Some of the members of the board
are opposed to the petty squabbles
which have characterized the associa
tion for the last two months, but if
Governor Flower resigns, the execu
tive committee, controlled by the
Shepard and Cullis crowd, will have
the appointment of his successor, and
can do as they please. One of the
members, who is for peace, says that a
bill will bo introduced in the legisla
ture to wipe out the association.
A gentleman formerly connected
with the association says that since its
organization six years ago the associa
tion has raised less than $100,000 of the
$155,000 collected to build the monu
ment. The present plans for the mon
ument contemplate a structure to cost
$500,000. During the last six months
scarcely $10,000 has been raised, and
most of this came from Sunday school
entertainments and cheap shows.
A well known publisher, who has an
unauthorized claim against the asso
ciation, has instructed his attorney to
begin suit upon a matter leading into
the very heart of the association, and
has no hesitation in declaring that
there is a “mare's nest" which will
startle the donators to the fund and
wind up the organization as it is at
present.
THAYER WAVERING.
Great Pressure Brought to Bear on Him-*
All Sorts of Rumors,
Lincoln, Neb,, Feb. 5.—It is easily
apparent that the continued suspense
over what course Governor Thayer in
tends to pursue must be ended either
today or Saturday. Monday morning
the governor leaves, according to his
present plans, in company with other
state officers, for Texas, where it is re
ported he will take active control over
the affairs of the syndicate in which
he is interested. Before he leaves he
must place the reins of the state in
someone's hands. He must either in
form Governor Boyd that he is at lib
erty to take immediate possession, or
call upon Lieutenant-Governor Tom
Majors to assume control. If he turns
the office over to Majors it will mean
that he has decided to hang on to the
last
Majors, it is said, is a Boyd man, and
would immediately upon the departure
of Thayer turn the office over to Boyd,
unless it should have been stipulated
and agreed between Thayer and Majors
that Majors should only follow out the
orders of his chief.
There were all sorts of rumors float
ing around the state house. Some of
them were that Thayer would wait for
a mandate. Others had it upon the
best of authority 'that Thayer had
wired Majors to come and take
possession, while seemingly well-au
thenticated rumors pointed to an im
mediate surrender to Boyd. One rumor
seemed to be as strongly backed as the
others and it was a simple matter of
pick and choose. Thayer could not be
found. lie left his office before noon
and has not been seen since and no in
formation could be obtained from his
clerka It was finally pretty truth
fully established that he had gone to
Omaha to have another conference
with his attorney, John L. Webster.
Tom Majors came in from Omaha on
the upon train to confer with Thayer,
but was unable to find him,
and. claimed to be as much in
the dark as to his whereabouts
as everyone else. The truth of
the whole matter probably is that
Thayer realizes that be must immedi
ately declare his intentions. There
can be no doubt but that at first he
was determined to hang on as long as
possible, but such influence has been
brought to bear upon him that he is
compelled to at least listen to it It
is likely that after his conference with
Webster he will try and come to a de
cision which will be announced either
tomorrow or Saturday.
SIR MORRELL MACKENZIE.
A Skilful ITiyuIclan of Very Elastic Con
science. •
BF.Ri.iy, Feb. 5.—The newspapers
take various views of the late Sir Mor
rell Mackenzie, according- as they favor
or condemn his treatment of the late
Emperor Frederick. There are but
few words of approval, either in the
press or in public, for the dead physi
cian, and the National Zeitung prob
ably voices the prevalent sentiment
when it says: “At Mackenzie's grave
we will not say more than that he was
a skilful physician of very elastic con
science.” __ '_
Tannery Damaged by Fire.
Cincinnati, O, Feb. 5.—Barders’
Sons’ tannery was damaged by fire
this morning to the amount of 330,000.
The blaze started in the bark shed and
spread raDidly. Insurance, about $15,
000. _
Old Turf Han Killed.
Lexington, Ky., Feb. 5.—General
James F. Robinson, one of the best
known turf men in the country, died
here this morning. He has been presi
dent of the Kentucky Turf association
for the past twenty years. He was «0
years old.
ALU DOING SOLID FOR HILL.
New York Certain to He >,<Jnlt for the Sen*
ator.
Albany, N. Y., Feb. ft—Nine of the
138 assembly districts of the state have
held conventions to select delegates to
the democratic state convention to be
held hero on Washington's birthday.
Chairman Murphy, of the state com*
mlttee, had tho conventions in his dis
trict held lirst. Following these was
the Columbia county convention, whore
Colonel Samuel ,1. Tilden lives Con
ventions have been held in Chemung,
Schenectady, Itockland and Steuben
counties Essex county, too, has had
its convention. These conventions are
from different parts of the state and
they show the way tho democratic sen
timent is going. Itls plain from the
resolutions passed and the delegates
elected at these conventions that the
state convention will be substantially
unanimous for Senator Hill for presi
dent and that the delegates will be of
his choice. It will hardly lie necessary
for him to have a unit rule adopted to
secure for himself the unanimous vote
of the seventy-two delegates to the na
tional convention from New York. The
only county convention of the nine al
ready held that is hostile to the sena
tor is the Essex county convention,
where Smith M. Weed controlled.
Weed has been unfriendly to .Senator
Hill ever since Hill was chosen senator.
The democratic district convention
to elect delegates to the state conven
tion was held at Nyack. The dele
gates elected are ironclad Uill men.
Resolutions were unanimously passed
indorsing Hill for president
Democratic caucuses were held in
every town and ward in Oneidawounty
for the election of delegates to the as
sembly district conventions. The Hill
men carried the county by a large
majority. .In Utica two caucuses were
held in each ward, one by the Cleve
land faction and one by the Hill fac
tion. The district conventions will be
held Tuesday and will send Hill dele
gates to the state convention.
At a convention of the Chomug
county democrats at Horse Heads,
resolutions were passed, amid enthusi
asm, reatlirming allegiance to and con
fidence in David It. Hill, and earnestly
requesting the representatives of this
state in the national convention to
nominate him for president of the
United States
THAYER Gl ES UP THE SHIP
Governor Boyd In Invited to Lincoln to
Take Charge.
Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 8.—The sus
pense is ended. Governor Thayer has
bowed to the decision of the supreme
court and the clamor of public
opinion, and at 2 o'clock today
James E. Boyd is at liberty to step
into the official apartments at the state
capitol and sit down in the governor's
chair without fear of anyone doubting
his eligibility or citizenship.
Mr. Thayer’s letter tendering the of
fice to Governor Boyd is as follows:
State or Nebhaska, Executive Depart
ment. Lincoln, Feb. 7, 1892.— Governor
James E. Boyd, Omaha, Neb., Sir: When
I commenced proceedings a year ago to
test your title to the office of governor, I
did so in the belief that there was great
doubt in the public mind as to your citi
zenship and eligibility. I then took occa
sion to publicly say that as soon as your
citizenship was established by the courts
I would gladly surrender the office to you.
The coutest was not one of personal
strife, nor to satisfy any ambition of my
own. but to comply with and uphold the
constitution of the state. Now that the
public press lias announced that the high
est tribunal lias declared under the consti
tion and laws of our country and state
your right to the office of governor, with
out awaiting tlio mandate of the court—os
I am about to leave the state (on Monday)
to be absent some weeks—it would be
most convenient for me to turn over the
office to you at 2 o'clock p m. on that day
(Monday), [Todayl if it is your pleasure
to accept the same at that time. Very re
spectfully, your obedient servant,
Joun M. Tuayeb.
Boyd Goes to Lincoln,
Omaha, Feb. 8.—Governor James E.
Boyd, in response to the letter of John
M. Thayer, notifying him of his
(Thayer's) desire to turn over the
reins of office to him, departed for the
state capital at 10 o'clock this morn
ing. He was accompanied by Charles
Ugden, chairman of the state central
committee, his son-in-law, Ellas Bier
bower; his son, James E. Boyd, jr.;
his daughter, Miss Margaret, and
the correspondent of the United
Press. To the latter Governor
lioyd said he could give no fresh in
formation on the subject of his restor
ation. He expected to receive the
office from Thayer at the appointed
time, 2pm., and expected to take up
the routine of duties without further
sensational incident
Ceremony Next Monday. <
Chairman Ogden, of the state demo
cratic committee, has issued the fol
lowing:
Owing to the suddenness which has ac
companied Governor Boyd’s reinstate
ment to the gubernatorial chair, the inau
gural ceremonies will take place. next
Monday, February 15. All democratic
clubs and citizens are cordially invited to
attend. The various civil and military
societies will meet at the Lincoln hotel at
2 o'clock p. m. and escort Governor Bovd
to the capitol, where a reception will be
held until 4. The organizations will then
escort the governor back to the hotel,
where nt 0 p. m. a reception to citizens
generally will be held.
Democratic Statu Committer,
Crahlks O .hen, Chairman.
C. S. Montgomery, Secretary.
REVENGED WITH A RAZOR.
.Mrs. Travis Resented Interference yfheo
She Threw Her Child Into the Fire.
Milan, Tenn., Feb. 8.—A horrible
tragedy occurred in Carroll county.
Charles Travis and wife have been liv
ing unhappily for some lime. A few
days ago the wife pushed one of the
children into the fireplace, burning it
bitdl3r. In his anger the husband
kicked his wife out of doors. She
swore she would kill him, and last
night while her husband was asleep,
Mra Travis procured a razor and
slashed his face and throat in a dozen
places Travis grappled with his wife
and secured the razor. He was so
weakened by loss of blood, however,
that he died before help arrived. When
the neighbors reached the bouse Mra
Travis was found covered with Mood
and in the act of shooting herself with
a revolver. It is believed she was in
sane through brooding over domestic
troubles
BLAINE WON'T RUN,
Tha Secretary Says He Is Not a Candidate I
tor the Presidency. I
Washington, Fob. 8.—Secretary
Blaine has written to Chairman Clark*
■on, of the republican national com*
mitt^e, stating that he is hot a candi
date for the presidency and that his
name will not go before the republican
national convention for nomination.
Tlie following letter was made public
last night:
Washington, Feb. 7, 1893.—Hon. J. 8.,'
ClaikMon, Chairman of the Republican
National Committee: My Dear Sir—I am
not a candidate for the p,e*idency. and
my name will not go before tho republican
national convention for tho notninatitin. I
make this announcement in die sca«on.
To those who have tendered mo their sup
port 1 owe sincure thanks and am most
grateful for their confidence They will,
I am sure, make an earnest effort lit the
approaching contest, wit ch is rendered
especially important by reason of the in
dustrial and financial policies of the gov
ernment being at stake. A popular de
cision on theso Issues is of great moment
and will he of far reaching consequence.
Very sincerely yours,
_James G. Blainb.
Comment on the Letter.
Washington, Feb. 8.—The announce
ment that the secretary had written a
letter withdrawing himself from the
field of candidates, was known on the
row and in the hotel lobbies within a
very few minutes after its receipt by
the United Press, its reporters being
the first to convey the information. It
created much excitement, notwith
standing the probability of its utter
ance had been discussed for the last
forty-eight hours with renbwed vigor
ana its appearance thereby discounted
to some extent. Secretary Foster was
seen by the United Press reporter and
asked his opinion of the effect of the
letter. He said he had been antici
pating its appearance, but was sur
prised that it had come out now.
"It will result, I think,” he said, “in
President Harrison's renomination.”
“Will it open the field for other can
didates or restrict it?”
“The field has always been an open
one, but several gentlemen, to whom
Secretary Blaine was a block, will
enter the race.”
“Will Ohio have a candidate?”
“Nrv”
•‘For whom will she bo?"
“For Harrison. Ohio has always
felt very friendly toward Blaine, but
she has never supported him* for the
presidency, always having had, in con
tests where he enlivened, a candidate
of her own. There will be no serious
opposition to Harrison's nomination, I
take it"
Secretary Tracy said: “I am not sur
prised. 1 have been expecting such a
letter for some time. It points to Har
rison’s renomination and re-election."
Mr. Tracy would not say that Mr.
Blaine’s health had anything to do
with the present letter, nor would he
make answer to the query:
“Was not Blaine now stronger be
fore the country than he ever was?"
Secretary Noble said: “With Blaine
out of the fight, there ■ is no man of
sufficient national importance to ser
iously contest the nomination of Mr.
llarrrison. Ills administration has
been fair, just and upright, regardless
of sections or nationalitlea He will
be nominated unanimously and re
elected.”
Senator Cullom spoke with frank
ness: “I am not surprised," said he.
“I had intimations of its coming from
various sources, and indeed, from the
secretary himself, but nothing defin
ite.”
“Will you enter tho field for the
nomination, senator?”
“Yes, 1 have said to my friends that
having given Illinois nearly thirty
years of earnest service, i would esteem
it a great honor if the delegation to
the national republican convention
from Illinois would support me for the
nomination. If I could be nominated,
wdll and good; if not, the delegation
would be free to support any good
man. I have said further,
that I had no ‘muck’ to run
against anyone and was de
sirous only of securing that which was
best for the republican party and for
the country. If any other man can get
more votes than I can, I would be for
him. But if you will permit me to say
it, I think I would make a pretty good
candidate. ”
Senator Allison said he was some
what surprised at the appearance of
the letter just now. “I think it will
have the effect of introducing a num
ber of gentlemen into the arena of
presidential possibilities.”
“Will Iowa present a candidate?"
“Not that 1 am aware of. Iowa, I
am sure, feels kindly disposed to Pres
ident Harrison; indeed, I know of no
hostility in our state against him."
Representative J. C. Burows, of Mich
igan, said: “That means Harrison’s
renomination by acclamation.”
Democratic Expressions.
Washington, Feb. 8. — To get
a democratic expression of opinion the
United Press reporter sought Senator
Brice, chairman of the. democratic na
tional committee. After reading the
letter, he said: “That has all been
discounted weeks and montha For
eighteen months I have been satisfied
that Secretary Blaine would not be
the candidate, and for two or
three months that opinion has
been shared with me by many public
men. For eighteen months President
Harrison has been growing stronger
and stronger with the republican
party, and his renomination by accla
mation has been a certainty. Th&t's
wliy they took the convention to a
small town, because it is to be nothing
more th&n a ratification meeting. The
convention will be in session only
three days They have to stay there
that time at least; it is their contract
with Tom Lowry and he will hold
them to it, and it will be over with.
Now when 'there is a real convention
to be held, like the democratic, we have
to go to a big city to hold it ”
Continuing in a serio-comic strain,
the senator chairman said: “This let
ter shows the declining valne of the re
publican nomination for president To
be declined five months in advance
shows that its market value has been
I seriously affected. The republican
convention will hve its work all cut
out long before tt meets, while we are
getting things in such a Bhape that no
one can tell who will be the nominee
at Chicago. Poor Clarkson, I am
sorry for him. Tq bo compelled to
hold a tournament with no compe
tition, It is a very dull outlook for
him.”
FIFTY-SECOND CONGRESS.
The DmiIk
W**nisaTo», Fob. 2.—In tbo senate tho
bill for a change In tho location of the
bridge at Soutli St Paul was passed
Tho oommlttoo on olnotlona reported
that Mr. Dubois is entitled to his seat as
senator from Ioaho, and that Mr. Clagget
Is not cntltlvd to his. As thoro will bo a
minority report the resolutions wrro laid
over.
Mr. 1 aimer, of Illinois, submitted a re
solution for the election of senators by
the peoulo.
Mr. Vance Introduced a bill to provant
discrimination In taxation against circu
lating notes of state bauks.
Mr. Voorhees rose to a question of per
sonal privilege and denied with warmth a
statement In a Philadelphia paper that hs
hud made a bargain to help defeat the
continuation of Judge Dallas, of Pennsyl
vania. ns cl cult judge if Messrs. Quay,
Cameron nnd lllgglns would help him do
feat Judge Woods.
Wssillst T K, Feb, 3 — In the sennto, Mr.
Sliermnn, chairman of the committee on
foreign relations, presented an invlintlou
from the tiermnu government asking the
participation of the United States In the
international art exhibition to be held la
Munich from June 1 to October 1*
13IU. Accompanying tho Invitation was
a letter from the stato department recom
mending an appropriation of U.(XK) to en
able the department to organise a com
mission to secure a credltablo representa
tion at Munich at tho art exhibition, lie
ferred to the commlttae on foreign rela
tions.
Mr. Dolpb, of the committee on foreign
relations, reported adversely a number of
Chinese Immigration restrictions nnd pro
liltory bills, and as a substitute therefor
reported senate bill Alt), continuing all ex
isting laws prohibiting nnd restricting
Chinese Immigration for a period of ten
years.
Mr. Kyle, of South Dakota, according to
notice, called up his joint resolution pro
posing an amendment to the constitution
of the United States making uniform the
laws in regard to marriage nnd divorce,
nnd read a prepared speech upon the
subject
Wasiiinotox, Feb. 4.—In the senate to
day Mr. Brice Introduced a bill for a mon
ument at Put-ln bny to Commodore
Perry nnd those who took part In the bat
tle of Lake Erie. Heferred to tho library
committee.
At 12:3U, on motion of Mr. Hlscook, the
senate went into executive session. When
the doors were reopened the report con
firming Senator Call, of Florida, in his
seat was taken up.
Washington, Feb. 5—Upon the assem
bling of 1be house today the speaker
stated that he wan nuffe ing from a sore
throat and ns the committees were to be
called for reports, he would request one of
the reading clerk* to call them. Subse
quently Mr. McMillin took the chair.
Mr. Fitliian, of Illinois, offered a bill
placing agricultural implements on the
free list and asked that it be printed In the
record, but the permission was denied.
The bill was referred to the committee on
ways and means.
Mr. Beltxhoover, of Pennsylvania, from
the comhiittee on war claims, reported
back from the committee the bill known as
the Bridger raid claims bill, to autliori/.a
the payment of damages sustained by
Pennsylvania from union and confederate
troops during the war.
Washington, Feb. 8.—In the senate to
day the vice-president submitted a num
ber of executive documents. Petitions
were presented by Mr. Cullom, of Illinois,
Mr. Blackburn, of Kentucky and Mr. But
ler, of South Carolina, in favor of the
passage of the bill prohibiting dealing in
options.
The House.
Wasiiisoton, Feb. 2.—In the house. Mr.
Morse, of Massachusetts, again arose thin
morning to a question of personal privi
lege and said he wanted to know w hy and
by what right Mr. Hoar had gone to the
printing offico and procured the original
manuscript of his (Morse's! remarks on
Saturday, and said that his action was
such as did not obtain between geutlemeti.
Mr. Hoar declined to repl v at leugth and
simply said: "I think tlie gentleman
from Massachusetts has been udvertised
enough.” A vote was taken on Mr. Bur
rows’ amendment to allow the speaker to
count a quorum, which was lost Mr.
Reed offered an amendment that when a
quorum failed to vote there should be a
call of tbe bouse and each member as lie
answered to his name shall vote on the
pending question.
Mr. McMillin opposed the amendment,
as the effect of it wonld be to s cure
legislative action when the house was
locked up. It was only intended to inten
sify tha action of the last house and its
autocratic speuker
Washington, Feb. 3.—In the house the
consideration of the report of the commit
tee on rules was resumed, the pending
amendment being one offered by Mr.Boat
ner. of Louisiana, striking out all of that
part of the rules giving permission to at
tach riders to appropriation bills wheu in
tbe interest of retrenchment in
expenditures. In support of his position
Mr. Bo&tncr said he did not think the in
creased expenditures were dute to the in
crease in clerks, but to tbe large expendi
tures for pensions, public buildings and
other national improvements.
Mr. Bowers, of California, said tbe peo
ple in the west wanted congress to give
'them back the money they had paid for
public lands in excess of $i 25 per acre on
the promise of building railroads. He
would advise the democruts to give the
western country a good liberal slice of the
public money. They could not get a dem
ocrat in tbe white bouse on a chariot of
reform with 6-ceut nickel pieces for
wheels.
: Mr. Bland (aid the senate waa an
autocratic body and should not be
allowed to dictate to the house in
.the matter of appropriations. The
number of government officials should
be curtailed. It was the duly of the house
to reduce the expenditures of the last
billion dollar congress. Taxation should
be reduced and the two reforms should go
hand in band.
Mr. Butler (dem.) Iowa, supported the
committee on rules and said that as the
democratic party was charged to retrench
ment and reform, it should have such
rules as would make this reduction in ex
penditures possible.
I Mr. McKenna (rep), California, nrgued
that the justification for putting money
Into the public treasury waa to pay It out
again for the public good.
Mr. Price, (dem ), Delaware, opposed
the amendment
The debate having assumed a wide
range, and it being evident that the rest
of the day would probably be consumed,
Mr. Catchings, in charge of the report,
moved the previous question on
the pending amendment of Mr.
Boatncr and upon the whole
clause or amendment of the committe on
rules. The previous question was ordered
by 110 to 41. Boatner's amendment was
lost. S*> to 11V. The question recurring on
the amendment it was adopted, thus pro
viding that no legislation would be ger
mane on appropriation bills except such
as retrenched expenditures.
Washington, Feb. 4.—In the bouse to
day the senate bill to pay West Virginia
$151,078 under the direct tax law, wa< laid
before the house. Mr. Wilson, of West
Virginia, objected to immediate con
sideration, and the bill was referred.
The senate bill to create a fourth judi
cial district in Utah was passed.
The consideration of the rules was then
resumed. Mr. Enloe, of Tennessee,
moved an amendment that .memorial ser
vices and eulogies take place on Sundays
so as not to take up the time of the regular
sessions There was considerable debate
on this point The amendment waa re
jected, 169 to 9L
Mr. O'Neill, democrat, of Missouri, of
fared an amendment making It eomptA,
»ory Inetead of optional on the homo (aa
provided In the nilaa) to oonelder PtlvaW
hill* on each Friday. Lost, III to 87. |
Mr. Heed offered a substitute for raw
21, providing for the order of business,**#
tending the morning hour Indefinitely.
The amendment was rejected by 104 to SU^
tin motion of Mr. Chlpman. of Michigan.
Friday evening of each week wo* Ml
ajiart for the coneideratlon of pernios
WunixoTON, Fcq. a-In the houe* 4
day Mr. Boatnor, of Louisiana, reported j
favorably from the comnnttoe on Judlolary' j
a bill to require judge*’of United State*
court* to give an opinion on questions of 1
.fact
Mr. Raynor, of Maryland, fromtbo com- ' fij/
mltteo on Inlcratate ami foreign commerce,
reported a bill to allow railroad cornpoa- ,
lea to give apeelul rate* to commercial \?
traveler*.
The bouse In committee of the wliolo /’
then proeoeiled to consider the Hendoraon
resolution of Inquiry regarding the ex
peudlture for tlio world'* fair, and the
substitute of the commlltao on appropri
ation*.
Mr. IfendcrHon, of Iowa, explained hi*
rcsRlutlon and *tated that tlio country
would nut Mitstnlit eongro** in making V1
further appropriation, mile.a it noted
with wladom and patriotism. Ho cited
the salaries paid the various
ofllelal of the United Status and said the
"alary paid to the director genoral wao
second only to that of tlio prosiden*. lf>
For one he did not propone to ntand
before the country willing to. make
Much npproprlnllnn*. He thought the
committee on appropriation* only had lur
Isdlutlon over the proceeding of the world'*
fair commission III* resolution did nob
seek to Investigate the local corpora
tion. Ills judgment was that
the appropriation committee should
Investigate. The world'* fair committee
should deal with locul corporations. The
debate assuming a wldo range, 14 wo* c‘
finally agreed that a vote on the resolu
tion of inquiry should be taken at 4
o'clock.
MANAGING A BABY.
The lied-Faced Old (Icntlfunan Mad* tk*
lllitiiln of 111* Life.
As the Michigan Control train waa ■
coming to Detroit one day last week,
sayH tho Free Press of that city, there
was a baby on board that cried for two
straight hours. It was not a cry* of
teething or colic, but just the whin
ing squall of an infant vixen that wasn’t
going to bo suited anyhow. The pas
sengers on tho car could neither sleep,
nor read, anil at last a red-faced old
gentleman turned to the mother and
said:
“Madame, If you would stop trotting
tho life out of that young’un It would
let up soroarning.” “I guess I know ;V
more about babies than you do,*
snapped the mother. v
"Well, all I’ve got to say is I’ve
raised eight and the whole caboodle of
them never made as much noise a* ...
that one,” lie retorted. "Perhaps you
would like to try your hand on tbi»
one. If you can stop him it’s mora
than I can do."
“Give him to mo, madamo, and la
ten minutes ho'U be as quiet as a lamb.
I’ve seen worse children many a time.*
Ho winked at the other passengers as
he reached out his hands for the baby.
“Tootsoy-wootsoy turn,” ho urged, and
tho infant opened ono eye* to look at
him, while it stiffened like a poker,and
roared louder than over.
“If yon will step Into the next car so
that it wont see von," said the obliging
traveler, “I can hush him sooner. Ho’U
bo all right, ma'am, don’t you worry.*
“I won't," said tho woman thankfully,
as she resigned the squaUer and disap
peared into the next car. “H-u-s-h-n,
now, little fellow; ride a cock horse to
Banbury cross, there was an old wo
man sb-sh-sh— let go of my hair, you
little wretch!” The baby had tangled
its fingers in tho chin-whiskers of its
new fricml, and was pulling them out
by the roots. “Stop that noise,” howl
ed the passengers in chorus, “or givo
that, kill back to its mother.”
He would have been very glad to
have acceded to cither of these re
quests, but tho mother was gone and
tlie baby was increasing Ids music ev
ery minute. “Walky-walky, pet?" he
asked in a voice like a calliope; “hush,
my dear, lie still and—murder! Won’t
somebody go aftpr its mother?" But
nobody would stir. They all wanted
to see him manage that baby. When
the conductor called “Detroit” and the
train slowed into the depot a wild-eyed
man, eoatlcss and disheveled, was tear
ing from one end of the train to the
other, while the baby screamed over
his shoulder. “I’ll take him now,*
said a mild voice, and as its mother
appeared that child stopped howling,
a cherub smile dimpled its face, and it
looked as if it bod never shed a tear in
its life. But its volunteer nurse was a if
complete wreck.
GREAT SAURIANS.
Borne Troths About the Risgeit Keptllaf
Which Grow In the United States.
“Did you ever see an alligator catch
flies?" asked a naturalist of a Washing*
ton Star writer. “I have watched the
performance by the hour. The saurian
lies on a muddy hank in the sun with
his mouth open. Winged insects, at
tracted by tho saliva of the boast,
gather in swarms upon its tongue just
as though it were a sheet of fly paper.
When a number has collected'it closes
its jaws suddenly, and with a gulp the
little _ torments have disappeared,
affording at once revenge and an agree
able flavor. You have often heard, X
dare say, of the little bird that enter*
the mouth of the crocodilo without
fear, in order to pluck therefrom cer
tain parasites which the reptiles could
not otherwise get rid of. Tluit is a
fact, although it failed to liB recog
nized as such by science for a lour
time.
“On many occasions I have had op
portunities of observing alligators in
pursuit of prey. They will eat moat in
I any shape, from water fowl to tishes.
Sometimes they moor themselves by
their tails to the shore, with mouths
agape, and silently absorb shoals of
mullet and other comparatively small
fry whicli pass along through the
| shallows. But a favorito way of theirs
I is to lie upon the surface of tho water
1 and quietly gobble any ducks or other
I animals that come within reach. Their
heads are so constructed that when
they are thus floating only their eyes
and the tip end of the nose are above
i the surface. Thus they are able to
• breathe and to see at the same time,
without exposing themselves to any
extent. A snap and all is over wit*
the victim.