v
FHE OMAHA DAILY BEE
TWENTY-SECOND YEAH. OMAHA , WEDNESDAY MOUBKTNG , DECEMBER 21 , 1892. NUMBER 18-1 ,
ANTI-OPTION BILL DISCUSSED
Senator Palmer of Illinois Makes an Argu
ment Against the Measure.
MR.BATE OFTENNESSEEONTHE FORCE BILL
Iln Trill ( lie Sriritn Why Ho Think * the
J'nlrrnl Klrrtlnn l.iuv Should < U ItR-
pritloilI'rorcrilliiRH of Ilin HoiiMt
nf ICi'prrsrnlntlvri.
OV. D. O. , Dec. 20. In the son
nto today the army appropriation bill from
the house was presented , and referred to the
committee on appropriations.
A largo number of petitions for niul againsi
thunntl-option bill \vero presented , and re
ferred to the roiinnittce on agriculture.
Mr. Sherman Introdnccd u hill to extend
to the North Pacific 01-01111 the provision o
the statutes for the protection of fur seal :
nnil other fiirboarlnjr animals. Referred U
the committee on foreign relations ) .
Mr. Teller , a republican from Colorado
introduced u concurrent resolution for th
assembling of the two houses In the hall o
the house of representatives on Wednesday
February S , ib'J.I , at 1 o'clock In the after
noon , pursuant to the requirements of the
constitution and laws relating to the eleotio :
of president and vice president of the Unllei
States. He said , In his own opinion , tha
the statute on the subject executed ilsoll
but he thought that the precedent of foil
years ago had better bu followed. The con
current resolution was referred to the con
mltteo on privileges and elections.
Mr. Faulkner , democrat , from West Vli
ginln , offered a resolution which was agree
to , calling on the attorney general for ir
formation as to the Indian dcprodatlo
claim.
AKIllllsl till' I'orOO HIM.
The bill Introduced by Mr. Hutu , deux
oriit , from Tennessee , on December li , "T
repeal all statutes relating to the supci
visors of elections , " was taken up and M
Bate proceeded to nmlco an argument In II
favor. These laws , he said , bad been I
operation for over twenty yours , and ha
not reconciled the people In their harsh h
tcrforenco with affairs belonging exclusive ]
tq the states. It was not surprising that tl :
late political revolutions in Ib'.X ) and 1S ! 1m
swept from power the party which enforce
the machinery for interfering with the ele
tions of the states. The force bill had bet
a potent factor in the late overwhelming d
feat of the republican party. The hn
which ho ( Mr. Bate ) proposed to Imvo r
pealed was the germ or protoplasm of th
force bill. It was that bacillus which hi :
poisoned elections and inoculated them wit
fraud. From the supervisor of eloctons , nil
and the imiicd deputy marshals , the stt
to the polls was but a nhort one. The di ;
had como to bring the federal govcrnmei
buck to those ditties for which it hud bee
provided. The late elections had broug ]
Into iwwor a party pledged to reform n
only llscal , but elcotlonal questions ; not on
the tariff , but all the federal machinery tin
interfered with state affairs , and to wipe o
absolutejwwer , which had no rightful pln <
in the American federal system. That sj
tern was u failure If the states cou
not keep pure the very clcetio
which maintained its organizatlo
The power of congress over eleetio
having been conferred only ( in the langua :
of Alexander Hamilton ) "To instruct tl
union with the care of its own existence
and there being no apprehension for tl
permanency of the union , thcso electii
laws had no constitutional warrant. Tin
were useless for any purpose. They servi
no good. They did much harm , and their i
nminingon the statue books was in direct d
rcgiml of the spirit and purpose of the lu
elections , and of the peace and quiet of t
country.
The bill went over without action.
On motion of Mr. Teller , republican frc
Colorado , the McGarrahnn bill went ov
until the morning hour tomorrow.
Mr. Illiivkhurii Ilownotl.
After a brief executive session , Mr. Blai
bum , democrat from Kentucky , moved
proceed to the consideration of the Huds
river bridge bill.
Mr. Washburn , republican , from Mini
sola , asked whether , If the motion p
vailed , the anti-option bill would not lose
place of privilege as unlinishcd business.
The presidingofficer , Mr. Harris , del
crat , from Tennessee , stated that it would
Mr. Blackburn 1 ask unanimous consi
to proceed to the consideration of 1
bridge bill.
Mr. Frye , republican , from Maine , 11
Joct.Mr.
Mr. Blackburn Then I renew the moti
Mr. Fr.ve I hope the senator will wi
draw that motion until after the holli
recess.
Mr. Blackburn On what ground Is tl
request based ?
Mr. Frye I have a telegram here , wh
I will read. ( Preparing to do so. )
Mr. Blackburn I object to any debate
less wo arc permitted to debate the bill
both sides.
Mr. Washburn 1 demand the yeas n
jiayn on the motion of the senator from 1C
tuclcy.
The vote was taken and Mr. Blaekbur
motion was rejected yeas , lit ; nays , -II ,
follows ; Yeas Messrs. Aldrich. Blackhu
Blodgotl , Brice , Gibson , Gray , Harris , II
ton , Mills , Sanders , Stewart , Vest , Vilas
Nays Messrs , Allen , Bate , Berry , C :
Casey , Chandler , Coke , Cullom , 'Da
Dawes , Dolph , Dubols , Fryo , Galling
George , Hale , Hansbrmigh. HIscoek. Ilu
.Tones ( Ark.McMillan , Manderson , Mitch
Morgan , Merrill , Pasco , Puffer , Perkl
Platt , Proolor , Pugh , Hansom , Sawj
Sherman , Sloohbridgu , Teller , Tur |
Vance , Washbnrn. Wilson and Walcott
The following pairs were announced ; Mess
Cocltrell and Allison ; Palmer , and ICj
Quay and Faulkner ; Wnlthnll and Dix
Cameron and Butler ; Hill and Irby ,
1'iilmoron tin ! Anti-Option Hill.
The anti-option hill was then taken upi
Mr. Palmer , democrat , from Illinois ,
dressed the senate , explaining and dofc
ing his objections to the hill. Ho said t
when he wes canvassing the state of Illli
IIH a candidate for the senate , ho hud b
frequently asked whether ho would vote
such u bill and ho had said "No. " 1
clauses against purchases of options
he said , loss satisfactory to his mind tl
the statute of Illinois on that subject. Di
ings In options were prohibited by the 1 ;
of Illinois , and were punished by ndrqu
lines and penalties. Ho hail , therefore , t
to those wIVi asked him , that llvero hoini
careful , well considered statute In forci
Illinois , nothing more could be done in t
line by more legiblallon. Ho arg
that the moaning and effect of
proposed bill was to give
the collectors of Internal rove
absolute authority over all contracts m
by any person for the sale and future
livery of property. It gave a most extern
and alarming jurisdiction to collectors of
tertml revenues. It gave them an authoi
to look Into the business of ovcrv and
man of the country , a i > ewer which had , b
heretofore only permitted under veryliml
and restricted circumstances , for mere i
enuo purposes. The bill was objections
on broader grounds. He had heard mud
the "right * of the states , " and he had i
Vosed that no party was prepared to say t
the federal government could Interfere
the exercise of police power in the sta
No senator ( lie apprehended ) would risk
reputation as a lawyer or legislator ,
claiming that congress ixissessiM the pete
to prohibit dealings in options , or futu
in the states. The attempt , howe
was bui thinly disguised In the
to trust the jurisdiction of the federal j
eminent Into states todcllno and pui
frimes. The bill resorted to the trick , or
iicdlent , or subterfuge , or clruumlocutloi
being in the form of u revenue law ; and I
wuy It wai sought to find power to proli
and to define nnd punish sales for future
delivery , The senator who called the bill a
revenue measure knew ttmt the bill was a
misnomer , and if It were nil action outside of
the senate , ( where proprieties were ob
served ) the statement would bo called
false , because there was no purpose to raise
revenue under the bill. The democratic
party , when it comes into ] > owcr. will not
tolerate a fraud of the chnractcr of the pending
ing bill. It will never attempt to imitate
the Parisian legislation , licensing a certain
class of houses In order to prohibit them.
Gambling in thn states will never bo pro-
hlblted by thcTcdo.rul notion : but the demo-
crntlo party will endeavor to suppress sucli
vices by state action.
After further argumpnt in the suno line ,
but without concluding his speech , Mr
Palmer yielded the lloor the anti-option lill !
going over without action and the senati
adjourned.
In Hiu 11 ninr.
There was a baker's dozen leaves of ah
sonce granted in the house this morning
some of them being on account of illness , bill
the majority being granted to members froti
distant states , who desired to leave In tlmi
to celebrate Christmas at their homes.
On motion of Mr. Llnd , republican froii
Minnesota , a resolution w.is adopted calllm
on the secretary of tne Interior for Informa
lion relative to the action taken by the stati
of Minnesota to annul the charter of tin
Hastings & Dakota Hnllroad company.
Under the special order the lloor was thei
accorded to the committee on public lands
which , through Its chairman , Mr. MoHao
called up the bill adjusting the claims o
Arkansas and ether states under the swam ]
land act.
No action wan taken on the bill , no quorun
being secured to vote upon It , and the hous
adjourned.
l . \NittS : Ol" A PANIC
Sreretury I'ostiT on 111" Itn I'liinnclii
I'lurry on Wall StriTt.
WVSIIINIITOX , D. C. , Uoi1. 20. Informatto !
was received at the Treasury dcpartmcn
today to the effect that the financial flurr ,
In New York is practically over for the proa
out , and that there Is no longer any prospcc
of a panic. Money Is reported easy and o >
change has fallen below the .shipping poinl
so Unit the heavy exportation * of gold ill1
not likely to continue.
Secretary Foster said this morning thn
: t)0i,00 ( ) ) ( ) in gold bad been taken out of th
treasury this week , and that about 81,500 ,
OJO would probably bo lost before the wee !
was ended. Ho is confident , however , h
said , that this gold will soon bo returned
with interest , through the regular channel
of trade. Ho said that there is really neil
Ing alarming in the situation , nnd that th
stocks , apparently nnsottled now , will readil
adjust themselves.
Mr. Hepbnrno. comptroller of the eu
rency , also said this morning that there w.i
really no occasion for alarm at the state c
affairs in Wall street , and that he would t
surprised if the apparent stringency wasnc
Intended solely for its effect on congrcs
Mr. Hepburno said that while there may I
some sentiment in the situation , he w.i
convinced that the interests of the countr
demanded the repeal of the Sherman silvi
bill.
bill."I think there is u popular misapprehei
slon in regard to the results , so far , of tl ]
intonuitioir.il monetary conference , " sai
Secretary Charles Foster to a reporter i
the Tjyasury department tills at'tcrnooi
"It is a grave task , " ho added , "to assun
that the conference will bo a. failure. Tl
taking of a recess until May was expecti
by the administration when the Americi
delegates left this country. There is ever
reason for expecting the conference to n
assemble at the dale llxcd.
"Tho fact that Mr. Rothschild made m
proposition for the increased use of silvo
coupled with his declaration that unle.
something was done to insure its better u
among the nations very serious consequent
would follow , is in itself a very hopeful hit :
cation that the prominent bankers of tl
world feel the necessity of reaching i
agreement of such a nature as will seen
approximate uniformity the world over
dealing with the question. So far as n
personal connection with the conference
concerned , all that I expected of the prelin
nary meeting has been accomplished. Tl
general feeling of the conference is ov <
more favorable than we anticipated. "
Secretary Foster makes no secret of li
purpose of repaying outputs within reason
bio bounds. To that end ho has renewed tl
policy so successfully employed by him
earlier periods of his .idministration , wh
the gold balance of the treasury was mi
need bv foreign influences. This policy ,
brief , is to disburse currency of any chnn
tor and denomination desired at any point
the United Stales when it may bo desired
exchange for gold deposited in any sublrot
ury except that at San Francisco. When it
necessary to shipmonoytomahopaymentt
dealer Is given the benefit of governmc
rates of transjiortation. The dealer des
ing money at Chicago , Now Orleans , or eli
where , deposits his gold at New York a
receives its equivalent , less transportati
chaigos at the subtvcasury nearest its poi
of use. It seldom happens that any lav
y amount of money is suddenly required
non-subtreasury points , it can readily
observed that actual transactions of t
money is rarely necessary.
It was learned at the Treasury departmc
this afternoon that several bankers ha
I- taken advantage of Secretary Foster's pi
In of domestic exchange and have nlrea
added $300,000 to the government gold b
d ance. In each case receiving an equal amor
i- of currency , and there Is an indication tl
this will speedily recoup the entire utnot
s of gold ordered by foreign dealers.
s
1 , SI.K1IIT I.MTltOVKMUNT.
I-
II. I. .liinu-4 ( ! . llliiliiit'KC'iiiulltluii Such IIH to ( il
1 , Ilin I'rlcmU Hope.
Sr WxiiiixiiTos , D. C. , Dec. 20. 'According
r ,
the report that came out of the Blalno mi
Is slon tills morning , the ex-secretary's con
s , tion showed signs of a slight , but still not !
r , able improvement. Dr. Johnson , after
° . ' early morning call , hardly went as far
' this. He told reiwrters thut Mr. Blalno v
no win-so than ho was yesterday ,
Mr. Blaine passed a fairly comfortn' '
night and managed to get a oonsldera'
amount of sleep , Today ho felt u Ir
stronger for his rest and seemed to bo qn
id bright and cheerful. I ator in Iho day wl
il- Iho sun came out from behind the clouds ,
ilil - spirits revived accordingly ; for ho hut
ilit room facing toward the south , and cnji
is thesunlight of whicli there has been
isu lltilo the past few days.
> r WASIIIXUTOX , Dee. 20. Mr. Blaine Is sic
10 Ing and Is no worse nt midnight. The doc
10o says there Is up danger of his dying tonlg
in Will Wutrli thn Doulitliil Stutpx.
li
lira WASiuxorox , 1) . C. , Dec. 20. The repul
to cans In the senate have a "steering" conm
id tee that will cross swords witli the slml
ida
a commllloo on the democratic side in an
in
tempi to foil their endeavors to secure I
: it
. d election of United States senators in
10 doubtful weslern slates , 11 is rcmembei
to Unit al Iho meeting of republicans lasl wi
ilO Mr. .Sherman , chairman of iho caucus , A
lo aulhorlicd toappointa committee toconsl
lite what , if anylhing , should bo done by
te republicans relative to the elections. ' \
11- senators are : Mr. llo.ir , chairman , i
Messrs. McMillan , Chandler , Teller i
Mitchell , Tills committee 1ms hold twi
three meetings and lius como lo the com
slon that while It cannot olTer the state :
Iho northwest material aid , it will keep
bhupo to protect the Intercsls of Ihe pee
of when tlio matter comes buforo llio senate
1 > - action.
at A member of iho committee slid t
ins. afternoon that it was llio intention of
s. eoinmltteo to keep track of iho aituatioi
s.is Iho iiucsllonublo stales and bo informed
bier lo llio details of Iho cases , ns some of U
er will no doubt como before the senate , i
they will bo fully equipped for llio conies
" '
"I'l
y' ' Will Sontencn a Hanker Tmluy.
' la. Deo. .JO.
BU Duufqi'E , , .JO.Judge Woolson
ix. day overruled the motion for a new trial
ix.of H. E. Graves' case. Sentence will bo
ut nounciHl tomorrow. The case against Casl
Jit Harris wus continued uutil April.
CLAY COUNTY'S ' CONTEST OFF
Prayer of the Republicans Denied by tbo
Supreme Court.
DUTIES OF CLERKS CLEARLY DEFINED
Xnnip oT Cntulliltitrs Muy l.pgnlly Apprnr
.Morn limit Oner mi the Ticket * ,
Ormiprd with the Partlrx
Itrprrsvntrd.
LINCOLN , Neb. , Dec. 20. [ Special to Tin :
Br.K. ] At H O'clock this afternoon the supreme
premo court handed down its opinion in the
case of the state of Nebraska ex rel Christy
against Herman K. Stein , county clerk of
Clay county , to compel the county clerk to
issue to him a certillcato of election. The
suit was brought on the ground that the
name of I * L. Johnson , the nominee of the
democratic and Independent parlies , had
been printed twice on each ballot. Similar
suits wore brought upon relation of Messrs.
Palmer ami Turner , the republican candi
dates for the legislature , against Elder and
MoVey , the democratic-independent candi
dates. All asked for n writ of man
damus requiring the county clerk to cancel
certlllcalcs already given to th ? democratic-
independent candidates and issue them to
the republican nominees.
When the supreme court convened Chief
Justice Maxwell announced that In all of the
cases the writ was dented and the cases dis
missed. The syllibus of the opinion is as
follows :
I II nder tlio provision * of section 20 ,
chapter \\vl. , compiled statute , it is the
duty of judges and clerks of election to retiu n
n trno INlet the-persons vollm ; at that elec
tion and certify the same. It N also the duty
of tlieclerks and Judges to certify the aggre
gate number of votes cast for each person
voted for , but It Is no part of their duly tti
eevtlfyitlmt certain persons received a spco.lllocl
number of votes us a democrat and u certain
number us people's Independent or otherwise ,
and such cerillloato has no force or effect.
J lly section of the above It Is tlio dutj
of tlio county clerk upon thu receipt ol
the returns from each election precinct , ward ,
etc. , and within six days after the closing u (
the polls , together with two disinterested elec
tors chosen liy himself , to open the poll books
and make abstracts of the votes cast for mem
bers of tbo legislature by districts comprising
moro than OMO county on another sheet ; and
by section the clerk Is required to make out
a certificate of election to the person having
thu highest number of vote * . Held : That II
was tlio duty of thu clerk to Issue a certificate
to the person having the. highest number ol
votes and that he had no authority to clusslfy
the votes cast for a candidate as people's In
dependentdemocratic or otherwise.
AVIll Servo us u I'rrcotlent.
The opinion , which was written by duel
Justice. Maxwell , forms the clearest tint
most complete analysis of the Nebraskr
ballot law Unit has yet been attempted urn
as stated by Justice Post from the bcncl
this afternoon tlio opinion is designed tc
servo as a precedent for any and all eases
that may arise under the law in tlio future
In discussing the question as to the printing
of a candidate's name on tlio ballot more
than once when the candidate is nominate *
by moro than one party , Chief Justice Max
well says :
"Tho object of the law is to promote UK
independence of voters nt public elections
This Is effected by placing all Uj.e nominee !
of all the parties and those nominated by petition
tition before the voter ou one ticket and re
quire him to designate the person for whorr
ho votes by a cross opposite such nunio. Nc
name printed on the ballot is to bo countec
unless a cross is placed opposite to it. If i
person receive a nomination from moro Unit
one party It would scorn proper to place hi :
name with the nominees of each party
This would not entitle u voter to vote mori
than once for a particular person. "
Itnyil Coimty'H Coiilrst.
The contest election case from Boyd count ;
came up before the supremoeourt atI o'cloel
this afternoon. In this case Chester Nortoi
asks the supreme court to issue a writ o
mandamus compelling the county clerk o
Knox county to issue to him a certificate o
election from the representative distric
which ho alleges is composed of Knox ant
Boyd counties. The cortiticate is held b ;
Kruso of Knox county , who was elected b ;
the democrats and independents of Kno :
county upon the theory that that count ;
comprised a legislative district of itself.
Norton was nominated by the republican
of ICnox county and by applying to Judg
Kinkald ho compelled the county clerk o
Boyd county to write his inline on the Boyc
county tickets. Counting tlio votes of Kno :
and Boyd counties together Norton wa
elected. The case hinges on the point as t
whether Boyd county is attached to Kno :
county for legislative purposes. Ageo o
Aurora appeared for Norton while Krus
was represented by N. J. Sawyer of thi
city A number of witnesses wore e >
amined , the plaintiff endeavoring to ostnl
lisli the fact that two years ago tlio res
dents of the territory which now comprise
Boyd county were permitted to vote in ICno
county. Kruso took tlio stand in his ow
behalf and testified that the Boy
comity people hud never voted i
ICnox county. Ho admitted however thn
ho had lived twenty-live miles awa
from the precinct in Knox count
in which the Boyd county men voted an
that no was not at the place on election da ;
The court gave the plaintiff until Dcccmbi
! U ) to lllo an amended petition , with leave t
offer in support of his case tlio certificate ) (
liis nomination by the republicans of Kno
and Boyd counties.
KSII..IXH'H VOHVK OX Till : r..lKiS.
Si'rrctiiry Poxtpr of the SUte Depiirtinci
Talks About It.
WASHIXOTOX , D. C. , Dec. 20. The coi
structlon of revenue cutters on the grei
lakes by the Canadian authorities has r
ceived renewed consideration by the ofilcla
of the Treasury department within the la
few days , since the receipt of a report mat
by one of the lieutenants in the service
Captain Shepard of the revenue marii
service. In the report the lieutenant wrlti
at considerable length of the now vessc
which have boon built by Canada within tl :
past year or so and which are now all rcuO
for service. There arc three of them , tl
Constance , the Curlew and the Petrel , D
signs of the ships show that In all essentl
features the boats are naval vessels and cube
bo lilted for war at short notice. Tl
designs were furnished from the Britb
admiralty , the construction was super !
tended by olllcers from the admiralty in
the olllcors of iho vessels , il is understoo
will como from the British navy.
The report states that ICnglish at
Canadian officers and citizens explained th :
these vessels worn built with a view to pr
tcctlng tlio Wcllnml canal from dcstructU
in case of attacks. And in this coimcctl <
tlio statement was made that there are Jifi
vessels in the British navy that can bo inn
in ducod into tlio great hikes , via the St. I-i'
inn rcneo and canal roule.
le Tlio report does not oxelto any apnrcho
il slon or alarm at the Treasury dopartmer
ills Assistant Secretary Spauldlng siys : ho h
lso no fear Unit Kngland will , at any time , e
o deavor to rush a lleot of ilfty vessels throuf
in the St. I.iwrence ( o the lakes. , nor that tl
IS British vessels nowon tlio lakes will cv
ISm seriously menaeo either tluu-ommcrco of U
d Inland seas or the great cities that lie on tl
borders thereof.
Owing to tlio absence from the city
Captain Shepard tlio rt ! ) > ort bus not yet be
officially communicated to the oftlciahrof t'
oIn Treasury department , and hence its conten
In have not been transmitted to tlio State d
ti partment.
tier Secretary Foster was asked this quest !
today : "Is It the policy of the United Slut
to meet an Increase of > 'forco on the lakes by
Canada by similar 'Increase of our arma
ments V
"Si > oaklng only for thc'State department , "
was the reply , "I 'should say the Unite. !
States would lint build ifliy revenue cutters
on the hikes unless It needs them , That Is a
question for thCjTreasitry department to de
termine. Whetl additional ships are needed
In the current business of the country they
will be constructed nnd not before. The
treaty of 1817. ns construed by both the
United States nnd Great Britain , places no
restriction ui > on the force of revenue vessels
that may be mnlnlaincd on the lakes by
either p-irty. But the document should be
amended In some particulars to make it con
form to modern conditions. In Its present
shape it is out of date and some of its re
quirements are Ignored by mutual consent. "
CLAIMS AU.tt.NST Ulllt.l ,
Mintry to HnlUry Tliom I'ulil Into thn Nr
York Wnslilniton Nnti >
Siilitreusur.v ; i
WASIIIXOTON , 1) . C. , Dec. 20. The ? " ) ,0X ( )
paid by the Chilian government in settle
ment in full of all claims arising out of the
Baltimore affair nt Valparaiso , wcro covered
into tlio subtroasury at Now York today.
The draft for the sum wan brought to this
country by Minister ISjrau lu October last.
The necessary preliminaries having been
performed and tlio money now being in the
actual possession of the government , ar
rangements will be made as soon as possible
for its equitable distribution to the people ,
for whom it is intended.
Mr. Crain of Texas , from the committee
n interstate nnd foreign commerce , reported
to the house today with tlio recommendation
that it pass tlio bill amending the act of
February , 18111 , to the construction of a deep
water harbor on the coast of Texas so as to
extend the time of the commencement of the
work live years from February 1 ! , 18' ) : ! .
Senator Collum today introduced into the
senate two bills that are intended to
trengthen weak points in tlio interstate
'ommerce ' act. The first compels the test- !
lony of witnesses before the Interstate
Commerce > commission. Tlioo oilier bill
elides this word "lino'1 as usotl
11 the interstate commerce law.
nil construes It to moan a physical line ,
vhethcrono rallroiid or two , or moro con-
iccllng railroads , or pan of raallroads ami
tart walcr. when both arc under a common
ontrol. The words "any common carrier"
TO construed to mean ono or moro than 0110
uch carrier , and each common carrier tc
, ny contract shall bo held individually re-
ponsiule for r.ucs over such lines in whicli
I is interested.
General Kosecrans , register of the Irons
.try , will leave hero tomorrow afternoon foi
Los Angeles , Cal. , in the hope of vecoveriii ) .
'iis health. ,
I lay I lln : C
WASIIIXOTON , D. C./Dcc. 20. Hon. JolmF
Durham , minister to' ' Iliiyll , now in this
: ountry oil leave Of , absence , lm boon in
itructcd to return without delay to Port at
'rlneo and Investigate tlio facts nttcnditif
ho arrest and imprisonment of Frederic !
doves , a respectable , American merchant o :
hat city. If the circumstances arc as re
; > orted the minister will bo expected to briuj
ho subject to the immediate attention o
Haytian government , with a view to i
'till indemnillcation for the wrong dono. The
secrolary of the navy has placed the Atlanti
at Iho disposal of thoStalo | department t (
' .ako Minister Dtirhapi to his post and hi
ivill sail from Norfolkwithin a few days.
(
K sovriT.
iVnrm Wrlroiuu Granted the Vice Tresl
ilc-ntliil r.irtjiiit'Aiiiilston , Alii.
BiUMiNdiiAM , Ala. , Dec. .2Q. General A. E
Stevenson and party reached here at li
o'clock today. The party was met at thi
depot hero by Governor Jones and a committci
'rnm Annlston. They entered the privati
far , which , in a few minuets , was attached
to a special engine and loft for Annlston
which was reached at noon. There were m
demonstrations bore , except that a largi
crowd was present at tlio station to sec thi
vice president-elect , who held an imprompti
reception , shaking hands with all who couli
reach him.
AXNISTOX , Ala. , Dec. 20. Vice President
elect Stevenson and party arrived at Annis
ton at noon on a special and will remain ii
the city until 8 o'clock tomorrow mornini
when they will leave for Atlanta. The cit ;
was gaily decorated. Excursion train
brought in largo crowds. When the trail
entered thn city limits cannon were Jireil
bells rung , oV'um whistles blown and th
noisy welcome was continued until the unio
; lcpot was readied.
A number of military companies undo
command of Colonel Ed Caldwell formed n
escort to the vice president-elect's partj
which was taken in carriages over the prii
cipal parts of the city before going to th
hotel.
KntUnslnstie cheering greeted the visitor
from tlio time they left the car until the
reached the hotel , and broke out ufrcs
every time Mr. Stevenson was seen.
After luncheon an informal reception wa
hold at the opera house , which was crowdc
to its fullest capacity , hundreds being tunic
away for lack of room.
Colonel McElroy introduced Goner :
Stevenson , who made a brief addrcs :
thanking the people of Annlston un
Alabama for their cordial welcome. II
was followed by Governor Jones an
Congressman-elect William Demnan tin
Gaston A. Itobblns. Following this was th
handshaking. The party was then drive
over the city and shown the principal place
of interest. The ladies of tlio clt
tendered the ladies of the party a. big
tea at 0 o'clock , which was followed by
public reception In tlio parlors of the in
from 7 to 0. Tlio' banquet began at
o'clock , and was an affair of great brl
lianoy. Mr. Stevenson responded to tl
toast : "The Incoming Administration. "
ar.oitr.
l'imt Atlantli ! T.lncm that Will Sail Uncl.-r 11
Stir : unil NlrlprH.
PiiiLAimu'iiiA , Pa , , Dec. 20. When tl
Inman line steamship City of Now Yoi
leaves Now York on February 25 her bo
will point toward Southampton , Iho nc
European terminal of the International Na
igation company. '
At the same timont. is expected that si
will initially lly the a1 tars and stripes and 1 :
como nn American yease ! in reality as wi
as In name. On this ( late her sislcr shl
the City of Paris , 'Will leave Soutlmmpto
thus formally opening the terminal , in
upon the lattor'sdoiarliiro ] from this sii
Iho American llag will probably also gra
her. This will be the culmination of pla :
which tlio Intornntional Navigation coi
pany lias boon" perfecting formally montli
JiXI'Htfr .IJV 'JtXa.lllK.VKXT ,
Troop * CloHii on thu llrrU of the Me lc ;
Hl > V < llltllllUlH | { ,
GAI.VUSTON , Tex ; , Dee , 20. A special fro
San Antonio , Tex. , t6Hho News says : Moj
can Consul Qrnals of this city hns Inform
tion from tlio City 'of Mexico denying tl
rumor that Gonzalcs Uocha Is with tl
lllibustercrs on the ! frontier.
The report that the Mexican soldiers wi
escaped from the Son Ignnclo light we
hold as prisoners by tlio Texas iiuthorltl
has been ascertained to bo unfounded.
News at the military headquarters hereto
to tlio effect that troops are on the trail
the bandits and an engagement Is hourly c
pcctod. _ Il is , however , doubtful If they ov
have moro ( ban a chase , since iho band !
arc boiler frontiersmen and Imvo cual
eluded the troops heretofore.
Miivtiiiinjitii of Ocean StiMinori ,
At Now York Arrived Stato'of Ca
fornia , from Glasgow ; Suevia , from Hui
burg.
At Lizard Passed Minnesota , from Pli
udolpliiu for Jxmdon ,
At llilladelptilii Arrived I/j'd Cllv
from
At Glasgow Arrived Norwegian , fr <
! > ew York.
At Hamburg Arrived Scandla , fit
.New York.
FARMERS ALLIANCE MEETING
Enthusiastic Attendance at the Annual Ses
sion of the Nebraska Body.
PRESIDENT POWERS' RECOMMENDATIONS
Ho Mnltr * Siiino Suggestions ! " < > , the future
( liililiim-onr HID Order State lliinkorx
A * orlntlmi Open * nn Intorrgt-
Ing Session lit Lincoln , -
GHAND ISLAND , Neb. , Dec. 20. [ Special
Telegram to Tin : line. ] The twelfth annual
session of the Nebraska Farmers alliance
was opened this morning at 10 o'clock and
called to order by President Powers , who
.spolto a few words on the Importance of the
meeting. Chaplain C. S. Brady led In prayer.
A committee on credentials was npiKiintod
which reported after dinner. A largo amount
of preliminary business was disposed of.
This morning's trains brought in a large
number of additional delegates and Secretary
Thompson said : "I believe wo will have a
largo and an important meeting. "
General Van U'yck , who is a member ol
the executive committee , cavorted through
the hotel corridors this morning , having
como In on nn early morning freight. Tin
executive eoinmltteo had just a quorum last
night and mot , but what was done , if any
thing was not divulged.
President Powers' annual address was the
most interesting part of the day's doings. It
was listened to with very close attention.
President Powers reviewed the past year in
the history of the alliance , the national
meeting of the St. Ixmis Industrial confer
ence and its result , tlio Omaha convention
and platform , and the "in some degree" dis
appointing result of tlio election.
Yt'hiit tlio I'ri'sldi'iit HeeiimiiicMiils.
Ho then stated the object of the alliance
to bo educational. The recent elections had
the oiToot to Interfere with and break up the
regular meetings of the alliance , and in
some instances has produced a condition ol
almost hopeless lethargy. "The excuse is
nuulo that wo can now depend upon oui
political chilis , but their purpose is not ours ,
and being made up at all branches of busi
ness and professions are not adapted to
the mutual improvements of farmers. We
need an alliance manual or text book ,
to give technical information , systematic ,
thought and systematic discussion whicl :
would tend lo prolltulilo and uniform knowledge
lodge on the desired subjects. The member ?
should bo exhorted to attend meetings regtt
larly.
"Our financial coiulllion is suflleicnt an
swer to tlioso who in some localities are clam
oring for n reduction of foes and duos. " The
strictest economy was therefore recom
mended.
"Tho question of the consolidation
of our state alliance with tin
Farmcrsi Alliance and Industrial unioi
is , I think , worthy of your earnest consider
ation , and 1 trust that if it is found expedi
ent steps may bo promptly taken - by whicl
it may bo successfully accomplished. Ol
course objections will arise and real ob
staclcs may exist , but I think every sucl :
objection would probably apply with cqua'
force to retaining thosouth _ in the fedora
union , which cost tlio mightiest civil war ol
modern history to maintain , nnd which is
now insisted on by all our people. "
In regard to legislation , state and national
the president urged the reduclion of railroai
freight rates , the amendment of Ihe Aus
tralian ballot system , some relief , if-pos
slBle , from the present usury abuses , a gov
eminent postal telegraph system , and thai
whicli ho considered of the greatest import
unco at the present time , a grand trunli
railroad owned nnd operated by the govern
nient running from the Dakotas to iho Gulf
in order to stop the east enriching itself 01
the west. After encouraging mutual insur
unco he closoj , saying :
"Duty has brough us thus far. The voici
of the people cries onward. Justice point :
upward to our onward , and liberty holds ou
toward us a glorious crown. Let us revive
our courage and renew our strength , for ii
the end our success is sure. "
Hail H Publie Meeting.
Tonight a public meeting was hold. Musi
was furnished by tlio Pacilio band. Prcsi
dent Powers presided. Mayor Boyden wa
introduced and extended the freedom of tin
city to the visitors. His address was fol
lowed by words of welcome from Governo
O. A , Abbott , J. M. Edward , Judge Harrl
son and Hon. W. H , Thompson. Presidon
Powers responded in a humorous vein , aftc
which President H. N , I-oucksof the Farm
crs Alliance and Industrial union was intrt
duccd. Ho spoke of the objects of the organ !
zatlon , its accomplishments ami its prospect
for the future. The mooting was very en
thuslaslic. /
1IAN1CUKS IX 1'O.VVKXTION.
NuliritHku Kiiiunclrrs Meet In l.inciilii t
DiHCIIM HllHlllOHS.
L.INCOLX , Neb. , Dee. 20. [ Special Teh
gram lo Tun BKI : . ] The State Bunkers a ;
sociation met at the Lansing theater at
o'clock this afternoon with ! < ; ) delegates i
attendance , A. L. Clark of the First Ni
tional bank of Hastings presided. Aftc
Ucv. John Hewitt , rector of Trinity clinrc
of this city , invoked divine blessings upo
tlio deliberations of the convention , Mny <
Weir welcomed the bankers to the hosplla
lllcs of Iho city. President Clark n
spomlcd in a brief and appropriate addrcs :
Chancellor Canlleld of the Nebraska Stal
university was presented to Iho nssoelatioi
Among other things , ho said : "Money !
closest , strange to say , when it is fartlic !
away or hard to get. "
He said that banking is made of n grc ;
many small amounts which , when consol
dated in the hands of the banker , wore cup ;
bio of being used advantageously. "Tl :
banker , " said ho , "is simply a dealer I
credit. What is credit r It is susplolc
asleep , and when suspicion awakes you a
know what the cause is and no mistake. "
In strong language the chancellor urgi
ujwn his hearers iho necessity of educutic
for the men who would adopt banking as
business. A banker , said ho , must kno
men and crops and industries. He must 1
ablo'to foresee iho result of certain cond
tions and events and shape his course a
cordlngly , The chancellor kept the Idea <
nn educational training lo Iho front of h
address. His remarks clearly made a marlu
impression U | > on all present.
( 'liiilriiiiin Yiit < ; n' Itopnrt.
Henry W , Vales , chairman of Iho oxeci
live council , read the annual report of tin
body , rovlowimr the work of tlio ussociutic
since its organization two years ago. Allu
ing to tlio fact that no convention was lie
lwoypar.s ago , Mr. Yates said that at tin
time tttero was a bitter fooling again :
hankcra , and under the circumstances Itv ;
deemed best not to antagonize that feelh
by holding a public convention. Instead
bureau was opened in Lincoln and placed
charge of H. C. Merrill , then ofSlromsburi
The object of Iho bureau was lo looknfti
the Interests of Iho bankers without attrat
liig public attention unnecessarily.
William Wallace , cashier of the Omul
National bank and treasurer of thu , assoc !
tion , read his report for the pasl two ycai
showing that ho had collected the sum
i , YJ and expended as per vouchers pi
sen ted .740.2:1 : , leaving a cash balance <
hand of $111.70. He had collected as du
for the ensuing year $1)0 ) , leaving a lot
balance of $207,77. Both of the above
IKttts were accepted.
On motion of N , S. Harwood of the Fh
National of Lincoln u vote of UiuiiKs wus e
tended lo ClumccllorCanilcld , , - * '
On motion of Mr , Yalcs a cominlUoo
ono from each congressional dtslrict was u
| Xinled on nominations : The following gr
II tlcmcn were designated as members of ll
IIU committee ; A. U. Wyman of Omaha ,
U largo ; W , L. Wilson , Nebraska Cilyj F.
Davis , Omaha ; L. M. Keene , Fremont ;
\V. Post , York ; O.V. . Burton , Orleans ! F.
M. Hubleo , Broken Bow.
Ah < ill MiiK tiny * of ( Irnrr.
Hon. A , U. Wyman brought up the matter
of the abolition of the days of grace. At his
equcst the secretary read from the advance
eportof the proeeedlujjs of the American
tankers association a rosalution urging that
ill days of grace bo abolished by legislative
'imetment. In order to secure uniformity of
ictlon in the several states the American
issoctatlon prepared nnd submitted a form
of n bill to bo introduced in the legislatures
at which ttie following is the principal
i-lauso : "Section I. All notes , drafts ,
hecks , acceptances , hills of exchange , bonds
ir other evidences of Indebtedness , whereby
ic , Ihoy or U shall promise to pay to any
iccson , corporation , or order or the bearer
my sum of money as therein mentioned and
n which there is no expressed stipulation to
lie contrary , no grace according to iho ens-
om of merchants , shall bo allowed , but the
same shall bo duo and payable us therein
expressed , ou the day ami date named with
out graco. "
Mr. Wyman argued in favor ol the resolu-
lon. C , F. Hcirlley , President of the First
Vullomil of Grand Island , thought that duo
lates of paper maturing on Sundays and
lolldays should also bo definitely settled.
iVhoro the last day of grace fell on Sundays
ind holidays tlio Nebraska supreme court
lad decided thai such paper should bo pre
sented Iho day after. Many prominent
awyers believed this decision wrong and
ikcly to bo contradicled by ether supreme
- ourts.
Ou account of the protest huvs It is im-
wrtunt to know beyond a question whether
the paper should bo protested the day before
or the day a tier. On motion of J. H. Mickey
i committee of seven was ap | < ointed to con
sider and report upon the two questions
vilsed by tlio discussion. The committee
was constituted as follows : J. H. Mickey ,
Dsceola , chairman ; II. W. Yntos. C. F. Bent-
ey , Grand Island : Thomas Wolf , David
Jit.v ; N. S. Harwood , Lincoln ; C . A. Link-
larl , Tlldeii : S. C. Smith , Beatrice. On melon -
: lon of Mr. Mickey the association took a re
cess until U o'clock tomorrow morning.
3IUXT.IX.I'S HI.KCTIOX NT.tTi : .
the SnprtMiio Court of Ilin Stutii
Itociircllli ; , ' Hie Itov Khlcr Kcturns.
Hr.uiXA , Mont. , Dec. 20. In the supreme
court today a reply was filed to the answer
of the Chouteau county canvassing board ,
Icnying all its allegations. The court made
: lie following ruling :
The board of canvassers of Chouteau
county in receiving and canvassing the re
turns of Iho late oleslion- hold at Box Elder
precinct , No. 18 of Cohuteau county , Mont. ,
on the 8th day of November IS'.U ' , could only
examine and consider such documents
.is arc by law made returns of said election ;
"Therefore. In passing upon the issues
involved in tills mandamus proceeding con
cerning said returns and the duty of said
canvassing board as to the canvass thereof ,
this court will consider only such
looumcnts as said canvassing board could
awfully examine and consider in canvassing
said vote and. therefore , -every document
> y law which is a part of such re
turns shall be brought before this
court by the proper custodians
Lhurcof , and the subpamus therefore shall
lie broad enough to include all documentary
evidence , alleged by the pleadings as perti
nent to such roturns. "
'The court directs that tlioso documents
lo brought into court Friday at II ) o'clock
m. "
G.ll.T..ltlllKll UXniiK AKHKST.
ritUburK Olllrrrs Otpturr : th Much Wanted
Ilmnrsteail Cook.
PiTTsnruo , Pa. , Dee. 20. Patrick Gnlla-
jhor , the missing cook , implicated hi the
llomestead poisoning case , was arrested this
morning and committed to jail.
District Attorney Burlelgh has matters sn
arranged that ho will bo able to submit the
cases growing out of flic alleged poisoning to
the grand jury for ils action tomorrow.
Coroner McDowell was today notified ol
the case of Camus Ycnsky , who died at
South Side hospital August 15 last. It ma.v
bo that he is another victim of the alleged
plot to poison tlio nonunion men at Homo-
stead.
The hospital authorities state that the
man , who was a Hungarian , was brought tc
the hospital from the Twenty-eighth ward
police station on August 22. Ho was suffering
from chronic odiarrhiia. and died the ncxl
day. The man worked at Homestead and lofl
on account of illness.
Another CIIHO of poisoning has also devel
oped. Word has been received at the mil
that Frank Tull , a coal and iron policeman
who was taken sick with bowel complaint
and sent to his home In North Carolina , liac
died , and the physicians say ho Miowc (
symptoms of poisoning.
.iH.i ixtiT THI : Tr//i.s7f r THVST ,
Important Decision Itcinlrri'il ARiilnat tin
-Monopoly. .
CHICAGO , 111. , Dec. 20. William Newburgc
this afternoon obtained judgment agains
the Distillers and Cattlofeo'lors company
commonly known as Iho whisky Irnst , fo
? 10'J and Inlcrost. If Ibis is sustained , thi
precedent , it is said , will deprive the trus
of some $15,000,000 of consumers' money. Tin
whisky trust lias a regulation by which it
goods are sold in advance of 5 cents nbovi
the actual market. Vouchers are issued fo
the excess , and those are paid , providing th <
holder for the previous six months has bough
all his goods from Iho trust.
Nowburgor belonged to a firm which hai
not bought nil its goods from the whisk )
trust. The Irust , therefore refused ti
honor tlio rebate vouchers. As a re
suit of today's decision other suit !
will begin in the higher courts for amount
varying from $5 to $1K)0 ( ) ( ) , The effort is no
only being made for tlio purpose of obtninin
Iho money , but is also intended to brln :
about an open market , it being suppose !
that other distillers opposed to thi ) trus
will start up in opposition , and that lowe
prices will jirovail.
Order of Solon He
PiTTHiinio , Pa. , Dec. 20. It is staled tha
the court will tomorrow appoint a receive
for the Order of golon , whoso affairs hav
been so much ventilated lately. It ha
assets of nearly half a million and and i
expected to pay dollar for dollar In the CIH
There are nearly 8,000 members ,
Thn Death Hull.
HAVANA , Doc. 20. The marquis do Sai
doval.president of the Union club , is dead ,
Dujiuqri : , la. , Dec20 , Nichols Gonnoi
editor of llio Iowa and Luxemburg tiazotti
died today. Ho was the father of Cit
Treasurer Gonner and prominent in nation :
German Catholic affairs ,
'l--l TllKIt MHttttl.tSTti.
Light SHOWN anilnrllieaHl WiniU Wl
Pie vail In Xohntxlm Today.
WAHIIIXUTON. D. C. , Dec. 20. Forecast f <
Wednesday : For Nebraska and Iowa-
Light local snows ; variable , mostly nortl
east winds ; slightly warmer in nortliei
Missouri and Kansas.
For Iho Dakolas Generally fair ; varlab
winds ; mostly north ; slighlly colder.
Local lli-ciiril.
OFFICE OP TIIF. WKATIIIJII BIIIIIAU : , OMAII ,
Dec , 20. Omaha record of temperature an
rainfall compared witli corresponding day t
past four years :
1802. JBfll. 180(1. ( IHfl
Maximum temperature. | ho 400 r > ic 37
Minimumtompuiatiuu , i3 ! Uio 300 ao
Avcnu-'o toinpvrutnru. , ll ( = HH3 430 34
I'recliiltution , .01 ,00 .OU ,0'J
'
Stalemenl hhowing the condlllon o'f ion
I poratureund precliiltallon nt Omaha for 111
day and since 'March 1 , 1MU , us compare
r with general average :
Normal temperature , zti
deficiency for Ilin day. , . , , , Id
Dollclt'iicy hlncu March 1 , , . , 1M&
Normal precipitation 03 Inch
Hxcenafor Iliuilay , . , . . . . .01 Inch
UcHclenoy ulnco March 1 . . . . . . . . . 3.00 Inch
GuonQt H. HUNT , Local Forecast Ofllclul.
IT HAS REACHED THE CLIMAX
Excitement in Franco Over the Panama
Question Attains Revolutionary Pitch.
SENATORS AND DEPUTIES ARRESTED
Mo t rrnmlnrnt roUllolinn of the ItrpulillQ
Ordrrcil l'rn < prntril by Vutn of the
Chiinibcr Driuimtlo Srrnr * Iln-
lore thn Tribune.
U'opvifu'ifril ' ISM by Jamt * ( . 'onion lltniKtt. ]
PAIII * . Doe. 20. [ Now York Ucr.ild Cabla
Special to'I'm : Ur.i : . ] Wo Imvo had during
the last fortnight n good many exciting
events to record , but none of them con bo
compared to that of today. Five deputies
nnd five senators to bo prosecuted.
That is , Indeed , too much to contemplate ,
but when we consider that among tlio per
sons who are under tlio charge * live of them
have held prominent'positions , wo are ai >
palled at the spectacle of morality presented
to the country by its politicians , Hero they
are : M. Kouvier , M. Itoche , M. Doves. M.
Thovenet and M. Provost , all formerly min
isters.
Thereis M. Albert divvy , brother of a
former president , and who was governor gen
eral of Algeria ; M. Leon Henault , who was
prefect of police and M. Her.il , who was Inspector
specter general of mines.
The Immediate conscquenco of today' *
events will be most serious , for grave ro
proaehcs can bo made against Iho present
ministry. MM. Kocho and Konvier wcro
both ministers on the 1 llh. It looks Impossi
ble that their colleagues should have becu ,
ignorant of tlio accusation against their * ,
then , and having taken them Inuftho ncvt ?
ministry , they are at least guilty of great
laxity.
Morally CiilllollniMl.
What the Herald has been sayiu ; ; would
happen bus como to pass. Writs and accusa
tions replace the guillotine , but the result la
the same death , cither moral or physical
death , but still-death. The end Is not yet.
Mine. Cottu , the wife of the Panama canal
director , has come back to surrender herselj
a prisoner. She says to her friends :
'Wo will bo persecuted , but everything
will turn out well for'us. Should the Irlul
take place M. Carnet will not bo president
longer than two months. "
On the other hand , the accusation against
M. Floquot as at first made still holds good.
I can but repeat what I have said so often
that wo are in a frightful muddle ; that wo
are in the slough of revolution , and no ono
can sec how it is possible for us to got out
of it.
it.Tlio
Tlio danger of a tragedy is neb
in the fact that not ten leg
islators out of 700 are convicted of
corruption , but in tlio fact that the people
arc saying "They are all robbers , " and when
these cries resound throughout Franco Uiea
he accused men are lost.
It AVnH Traifoily.
The prosecutions were voted unanimously.
The Chamber is in a fever of excitement. .
The session at which the prosecutions were
irdcrcd was worthy of the great sessions of
he convention.
M. Houvior defended himself awkwardly ,
lo said he could not toll all ho knew , nnd
ivhcn ho descended from the tribune there.
t\as no applause , not a hand extended to him.
M. Emmanuel Arctic , the writer , defended
ilmself. Ho wept when he said that ho had
never prostituted his pen. He made a great
mpresslon upon the Chamber , which nover-
.hcless hoard him in silence and' voted to
irosccnto him.
Toward the close of the service an exciting
ncident occurred. M. Dermlcdo accused M.
Clemonccau of having decorated Dr. Cor-
iclius Hetv. and of having sold Franco to a
foreigner.
( Save thn Lin Direct.
M. Clemcncean defended himself very ably ,
nnd at the conclusion of his speech he said :
'M. Dermlcdc , you have lied about it. "
In the midst of the general uproar that
followed M. Millovoyo , Boulanslst deputy ,
cried :
"Prove your words , M. Dcriulede. "
M. Clcmenceau made u return thrust I
You also have lied , "
There are , therefore , two duels for tomor
row to add to tlio general excitement.
The Senate will take a vote tomorrow on
the question of tlio approval of the prosecu
tions. Other deputies are to bo prosecuted
because of their relation willi journalism.
The government wants proof and will not ro-
cell before the responsibility.
- JACQIJKS ST. Cr.nn.
AVI LI ) WITH UXCITIIMHNT.
StlrrliiK SCCIICH In thn l-'rniirli Clinmbir <
DnolM In I'roH | > i > cl.
PAUIO , Dec. 20. In the Sena to today M.
Loroycr , the president , staled Unit lie had
received a demand for the prosecution ol
Senators Renault , Albert Grovy , Bora ] ,
Tliovenot and Doves for the part they hud
taken in the affairs of tlio canal company.
The matter was referred , as In the lower
Chamber , to the standing committees.
In the Senate ami lower Chamber special
committees were appointed lo consider the
applications of Uio procurour general , and
both wcro understood to favor the presec-u-
lion of ox-Minlslcr Houvlcr.
' M , Houvlcr appeared before the standing
eoinmltteo , of whicli ho Is a member , In ilia
own defense. He was glad , ho said , of un
opportunity to explain his position. There
was nothing in Iho documents seized lo
provo Unit ho hud over received u check
from anybody in Uio interest of tlio Panama
Canal company. Ho had served the state lu
high olllco for several years , and lie had
always deemed It his duty to preserve
silence as regards certain facts. The ac
cusations made against his honor and In
tegrity had relieved him of such obligation ,
and ho would now speak out in the Chamber
without reserve.
Before theC huinher resumed business ,
Ibis statement had go no abroad ami caused
Intense excitement in Ihe lobbies. M.
Kouvior was expected to refute in detail M.
Clcmenceau's charges as to the call at Baron
do Hoimich'H house on the evening before
the hitters death , and the slalcmi'iit of .Lo-
Llbro Parole , Unit his Initials were on the
slub of ono of Uio Thlerro checks. Tlio
galleries were packed , Deputies who had
intended to absent themselves from the sil
ling , hurried bade to the Chamber , Not a
dozen scats in Ihe whole auditorium wcro
vacant.
M , Itoillli'ln'
As M. Houvlcr ascended the speaker's
tribune everybody leaned forward In an atti
tude of close attention , mid the llr t words
of his defense wore delivered amid oppres
sive stillness. After reminding the chamber
of his long public Horvlce , his hitherto uncx
ccptlonablo record and the obligations to
ofuciul secrecy , -which ho had previously
closed his mouth , lie made a palhello
general denial thai ho had accepted checks
from Iho Panama Canal company or
had h-J : > ' .iiy dlscredllaljlo connection
of any itort\llh thu company's eulornrisu ,
The present circumstances had relieved his
tongue of Uio gag Imposed upon it by minis
terial duly and ho wus ready lo tell the whole
truth , when ho cauio into power | )9 ) (9 (