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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (March 8, 1894)
I "T" 1T"T / ' mTiI" * T T" A -v 1 HE OMAHA ILYv ESTABLISHED JUNE 19 , 1871. OMAHA , THURSDAY MINING , MARCH 8 , 189-J. SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS , \ PENSION BILL PASSED After Five Days of Debate it Went Through the House Without Division. AMOUNT CARRIED BY THE APPROPRIATION Tutro Will Bo Pnid Out to the Old Soldiers the Sum of 3161,000.000. , LITTLE OBJECTIN : FRCM DEMOCRATS TIoy ) Made No Criticism of the Sum of Money that Has Been Appropriated. GENERAL HENDERSON'S ' ELOQUENT TALK Brilliant Defense of the Vct- JIo Miikrd n Their llni'inlm run * anil Arraigns GiUuKha < Jrow' Cordial ICe'cep- hy All the McmljorH. WASHINGTON , March 7. After flvo days of debate llio pension appropriation bill , car rying $151,000COO , passed this afternoon without division. Throughout the debate there had been no criticism of the amount carried by the bill , debate being confined on ono hand to an assault upon the manner In which the previous democratic commissioner of pensions had administered the ofllco and his aUcgcd unauthorized suspension of pen- Blons , and , on the other , to a defense of the attempt of the commissioner to purge the rolls of these who were not entitled to pen- bloim. Today tliero vvcro several very spir ited speeches. Those hy General Henderson of Iowa , Mr. O'Noll In closing the tlebate , and ex-Speaker Grow. All the amendments to the bill save one , that ot Mr. Plckler , to make the reports of the examining surgeons open to the Inspection of the applicant or his attorneys , vvcro defeated. They all fell under points of order that they were not germane. Tlio ono which attracted most attention was that of Mr. Enloo to repeal a portion of the 'provision Included In the net of last December to prevent the ) sus pension of any pension except on thirty days notice , so as to permit the suspension In case of plain prlma facto evidence that the pen sioner had procured his pension by forgery , or perjury or other similar frauds. This amendment was offered at the suggestion of Commissioner Lochren himself , who , under the opinion of the attorney general , declaied If the act of last December stood over $300,000 would have to bo paid out to suspended pensioners , who wore proven be yond all question not to be longer entitled to the pensions they had been drawing. Mr. Outhwalte , the chairman of the committee of the whole , however , ruled that the amend ment , on Mr. Martin's point of order , was not germane. In the house this morning the senate Joint resolution for a commission to repre-i sent the United States at the Antwerp In ternational exposition was agreed to Flynn of Qklahoma secured the passage of a bill grailtlng Oklahoma City , for educa tional purposes , an abandoned jnllltary reser vation In said city. Resolutions of Inquiry , ono asking the sec retary ot the treasury for Information as to the authority under which the Bureau of Engraving and Printing had submitted pro posals to the Postofllco department for the manufacture of adhesive stamps , and , an other asking the postmaster general for ' copies of proposals for the manufacture of these stamps , were adopted. The hauso wont Into the committee of the whole on the pension appropriation , OPENED THE DEBATE. Mr. Hudson , democrat , of Kansas , who opened the debate for the day , criticised the conduct of the pension ofllco , both under the Harrison nnd Cleveland administrations. Ho was drawn Into a lively altercation with BO mo of his republican colleagues from Kansas over the campaigning tours of Pen sion Agent Campbell ot that state. In Kansas , ho said , there were 40,000 pensioners receiving nn average of $1CO , while In Mas sachusetts tliero were 31,000 pensioners re ceiving an average of $180 per annum. "Do you think the Massachusetts toltllcr receives too much ? " Interjected Mr. Walker. "Let mo tell the gentleman that Massachu setts has paid her soldiers $23,000,000 In addition to all they had received from the general government. " Mr. Morse , republlc-m , of Massachusetts agreed with Mr. Sickles that the commis sioner of pensions was guilty not only of bad law , but of bad manners. Mr. Stockdalo , tlomoctat , of Mississippi supported the pension policy of Commissioner Lochron and the president. They were trjliifho snld , to ild the roll of the cinip followers and coffee coolers and deserters In order to make It an historic and honoiod roll of the nation's dofenders. Mr. Johnson , republican , of Indiana made n vigorous onslaught on the policy of Secre tary Smith and Commissioner Lochron. IIo rovlowed what ho called the wholesale sus pensions ! made. After a brief Bpeech by Mr. Thomas of Michigan , Mr. ] Springer of Illinois took the lloor In defense of the policy of tlio pension olllco. Ho wanted to know why Illlno's ' , having more population than Ohio , had but 68,000 pensioners , receiving $11,019- Thoiwhllc Ohio had 10.S1 ! ) pensioners , re- g $17,720.000. In Indiana $900,000 was utoil to each congressional district , In The tiscr i)0 ) ( ) ' ' " ' ' "o In Illinois but $300,000 . strllmted to the district. IIo nttrlb- uio nioujjij , Btn,0 , ot ftrrars | to the fact that superior union oftlce had been made n political iimchind by the republican party. Illinois was rvrtpln for the icpubllcan party , while Indiana and Ohio were doubtful , Tlio pension cases were settled In the doubtful Htalcs , while those from one solid state were pigeonholed. HAD MOVED FROM THE EAST. Mr Marsh of Illinois explained this dls- rrtnilnitlon by pointing out that In Kansas , which 8 ! > nt but fifteen regiments Into the Held , there were 42,000 pensioners. The old boldlcrs from Illinois hud moved west to Kaunas nnd other states. i Mr. O'Nell of Massachusetts , In charge nt I the hill , closed the debate. No amendments looking to an Increase of the appropriation had been presented , ho said The debate had been merely for political effect. The re publicans , ns they saw the limit of pensions v\as ( Teen to bo i cached , realized that their stock In trade would cease when they could > ! 2.lo K'ir RO before the country , crvlng out the ) linil ( insreaood the number of pensions. In concluding , Mr. O'Ne'll warned the re publicans that they woreMn n poor business when ( hey discredited General Black nnd rommlsslonet Lochrun In the eyes ot the old fcoldliirs Neither could they discredit tl'O president with tin American people. They had ' abholiito faith In tils , honesty , Ills pluck nn'tl his courage ( Applause. ) At 3 o clock fiencial debate closed under the nercnmcnt reached , and the bill was read for amendment and dvtnto under the live- minute rule. Mr , Blnglmm Pennsylvania and Mr , lloplii.s of Illinois offered amendments , which were declaied out ot order , and Mr. Union of Tennessee offcied his amendment to amand the act. approved Dccojnbor 21 , ISO' , so It should not bo construed lo pre vent the temporary withholding of payments to pensioners upcn clear ovhlenen tlmt their pensions were obtained by forgeiy , perjury cr other actual fraud upon tlio United States , with a proviso that MO pensions should ho Mispondod until the thirty days ngtlco pre scribed In said net has been given nnd that the cases of suspended pensioners should bo i ; i en priority upon request of the pensioner Mr , Martin ot Indiana made n point of order against the amendment tuat It was not germane , anil the point was sustained. Mr. Grosvenor of Ohio offered an amend ment to Increase the appropriation for pen sions carried by the bill to $105,000,000 , whlcli was defeated without division , GENERAL HENDERSON'S SPEECH. General Henderson of Iowa , who has beer III for some time , next got the floor. Sev eral weeks ago ho submitted to another amputation of his limb. Ho had been palnci ! beyond measure , ho said , to find that upor a theme vvhloh ought to Inspire every patri otic heart this house was divided as If It wa ; a war measure. General Black , who de served every generous word that had been epokcn concerning him , had stood here vvltli a bouquet of rhetoric for the soldier In one hand and a dagger to strike him to the Boul In the other. "Oh , my country , " salt ! General Hcnderwn to the democrats , "he who wore stars upon his shoulders In the cause of the union can do more harm tc Ills old comrades than all those who tough ! under the confederate flag. Mark the con trast presented by the other distinguished Boldlcr , General Sickles , who feared not the thunder of the executive or the refusal ol patronage , who stands for the soldiers vvltli whom ho fought. Stars are honorable , but they must not be used as a cloak from behind which to strike equally honorable men , This debate shall not close without my cryIng - Ing 'shamo , shame ! ' at the soldier who sought to discredit his comrades In arms. " Mr. Enloe replied to General Henderson , especially as to his remarks on General Black , who was absent , and then , after some further debate by Mr. Springer , Mr. Lacey and others , Mr. , Motion of Pennsylvania pre sented his amendment declaring a pension to bo a vested right. Mr. O'Nell made the point the nmemlmchl was not germane , changed the existing law and did not reduce expenditures. The point was sustained. Mr. Grout offered an amendment to pro. vent any fee from being pild to1 a menibei of nn examining board unless the bonnl should send to the pension bureau n ratine tor the degree of disability of the appllcint , i description of the applicant , nnd a descrip tion of the examination. The chair ruled II out of order and Mr. Grout appealed. The chair was sustained. Mr. Plckler of South Dakota offered an amendment to make the report of the ex amining physicians open to the applicants itnd their attorneys. Agreed to. Mr. Grow offpred the last amendment , pro- vldlng that no pension on account of dis ability In the servleo should be less than $1J per month. With this amendment as ti text , ho made a brief hpeech , his first since his return to the house since ho left It , thirty years ago , as speaker. Mr. Crow's rcmaik' bubbled over with.eloquence. The members listened with close attention and a burst ol applause fiom both sides greeted Us con clusion. The bill was reported to the house and passed without a dlvlslqn. The house then , at D:1C : , adjourned. or Tin : GUI : IT IAICIS. : Interesting Kxperlinonts HTmlo by the AW t lie r Km cull ICecentl } . WASHINGTON , March 7. Prof. Harring ton , chief of the weather bureau , has sub mitted to the secretary of agriculture the results of his Investigation of the currents of the great lakes. The Inquiry was sug gested by observation of the accumulation of v.recks and wreckage at certain points and along certain portions of the shores ol the lakes. Bottles containing Instructions fron the bureau and constructed so as to float In the water for an Indefinite period were sent to masters of vessels engaged In trafllc on the lakes , llghthoubo Keepers , etc , , wlth the request that they be thrown in the water after the paper in the bottle had been marked with the tlmo and place of floating and with the name of the poison that con signed It to the water. Within the bottle was alto placed a franked envelope ad dressed to the weather bureau , a request that the finder Indicate the time and place ot finding and send the blank filled out to the bureau. The Investigation covered the summer sea sons of 1892 and 1893. It was found Im possible to make any valuable deductions from bottles floating In the autumn nnd picked up In the spring. It was ascer tained that there wore four general cur rents to bo observed In all the lakes. The outfmw toward the outlet of the lakes. , a continuous current affecting the cntlTo masa of water and pioceedlng with a perceptible icactlonary flow , resulting In more or less of a circular cm rent around the lake ; a sur face current duo to prevailing winds and consisting of a ma&s of water driven before the wind and Including also a return or ro- actlonaiy current caused by the flow In the depths made vacant by the action of the winds ; return currents , and , finally , surl motion. The most Important current Is the surface flow caused by the winds. It has long been known along the lakes that the water will bo low In the direction In which the current was running from six to twelve hours before the wind begins. This fact Is fully ex plained by the result of observations taken. Much difllculty was encountered In at tempting to discover the velocity of the various lake cunents , but , In general , they are supposed to run at a rate of from four to twelve miles n day. There are certain currents which have at special seasons ol the jcnr been observed to run at a much greater velocity , but no general-laws concerning - corning this have jet been discovered. The number of blanks rotuined was only about 10 per cent ot the total number sent out. Those returned were as follows ; Lake Superior , 1S9J. 35 blanks ; 1893 , 35 ; Lake Michigan. 1892 , 163 ; 1893 , 35 ; Lake Huron , 1892. 112 ; 1S93 , 44 ; Lake Eilo. 1892 , C2 ; 1893 , 30 ; Lake Ontario , 1892 , 55 , 1893 , 1 Many of the blanks were returned with great care , Siomo fiom the shores ot Canada as well as from the states. All were promptly ac knowledged , with n view to Increasing by every means possible the pei cent of blanks returned to the bureau. riton HAWAII. Latest Corrcspondenco from the Si > nt In CongreHshy the I'n Hldent. WASHINGTON , March 7. The president today sent to congress the latest corroipond enco In relation to Hawaii , being three let ters with enclosures from Minister Willis , covering a period from February 10 to Feb ruary 15 , Inclusive. The Important feature ot tlio correspondence Is a statement tlmt steps have been taken to provide for a now constitution and a now form of government for Hawaii. Tlio first letter is merely an acknowledgement of the receipt of dis patches. The second , under date of Honolulu , Feb ruary II , describes the situation In Hawaii during the month as having been unusually quiet , Minister Willis mentions the changes In the executive council , which have already been noted , the report tnat Mr. Dole will prepare a now constitution , and sdys that a spirited contest Is novy In progress looking ( o the Introduction of "tlio representative system" In the council ot the provisional government. In this connection ho mentions n resolution pissed at a mass meeting Fcb- luiry 13 favoring the enactment ot a law Inci casing the membership of the advisory council from thirteen to twenty- four , the now members to "bo elected by the suffrages of loyal citizens In a manner to bo hereafter provided. " The reasons for thn demand arc tlmt the council Is not now representative ; that the legislative depart ment Is toq compact and small ; that It has been made objectionable by the action of re tiring members In practically scldctlng their own successors ; that the personnel has been changed , nnd In these changes the mass of the supporters ot the provisional govern ment have had no voice. The third a ml last letter Is dated Honolulu , February 15 , and Is as follows : "After the regular meeting this afternoon of the gov- eminent council Hon. It. F. Hatch read the report of the judiciary committee on ttio petition for the enlargement of the ad- vUory council , recommending , as reported In the newspapers , tlmt there bo chosen dele gates to (111 ( up the council and to prepare a constitution for a permanent form of gov ernment. The report was adopted and u comities appointed by the president to pre- ( Coutlnuca oil SqcquO. Pago. ) IT CAUGHT TIIEfl NAPPING Success for tbo Bland Bill Looked Almcsi Certain for a Time Yesterday. WAS PASSED TO ITS THIRD READING lt Opponents Tnlicii by Surprise and the Mcunuro Nearly I'nilieil Through the Sen ate Without Debute An InterestIng - Ing Sltuntlpii the llcsult. WASHINGTON , March 7. An exciting and Interesting debate was precipitated In the senate todny by Mr. Harris' motion for the second reading of the seigniorage bill. Thli was opposed by Mr. Sherman , who moved Its reference to the finance committee , and Iti the course of a strong speech in opposition to the bill , said Us object was to dlvcrl trust funds from their legitimate purpose c thing which In Ohio would be a penitential- } offense. His motion was defeated and the bill taken up as unfinished business , am ! almost before any ono was aware of vvlml had happened It passed Its third reading and was oft the point of passing. Then Its opponents recovered from their surprise am' endeavored to prevent Its passage , and on request of Senator Sherman It went ovcj until tomorrow. In the morning hour Mr. Morgan Intro duced a resolution calling on the prcsldcnl for Information as to the occupincy of Blue- fields , Nlcaiagua , by the Urltlsh. This wn : agreed to. Then the house bill approprlit- Ing $15,000 for saving the Kearsarge passed as did the bill permitting General O. 0 Hownid to accept-from the French govern ment the decoration of commander of UH Legion of Honor. The senate tills , morning , on motion of Mr , Gibson ot Maryland , passed the house bll appropriating $4fi,000 for the icsciio of tin armament and wreck of the United States steamship Kcarsarge. BRITISH OCCUPATION OP BLUEFinLDS A resolution was reported by Mr. Moigar of Alabama , fiom the committee on foreign relations , ns follows : Resolved , That the president be requested to Inform the senate , It It Is not Inconsis tent with the public Intercs whether the government of Great lirlt.iln has occupied Ulueflelds or any other , place on the Mos quito reservation In the state of Nlcaiaguti with a mllltaiy foice , and the chaiuctci and strength of fciich force and the claim ol authority of that government to occupy that country. Mr. Morgan , Jn explaining the resolution sa'd ' that the matter had been called to his personal attention by some % statement made In a reputable newspaper , and he supposed the Information as obtained was accurate , and ho wanted to know whether the pro visions of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty of 1S5C were being violated. He had no Incllnatlor to Interfere with the diplomatic officers ol the Unlte-d States by calling attention to the matter. Ho understood that , the Kearsarge , for the rescue ot whose wreck the senate had just provided , was on her v.ay to Blue- fields when she struck on Roncardo reef , The resolution was then agreed to. Senator Harris , democrat , of Tennessee then opened the fight for the day on the sil ver question by moving the second reading of the Bland seigniorage bill. Ho gave no tice that when the bill should have beer read the second time ho would rnovo to take- It up for consideration. His motive In ob jecting to Its consideration yesterday , he said , was to bridge over the gap until he could consult v.lth his democratic colleagues as to further action In regard to the bill. Mr. Sherman objected to the Immediate consideration of the seigniorage bill , and moved to refer It to the committee or finance , as ho thought no matter of sucli Importance should be reported to the senate without reference to the finance committee , The discussion was taken up by Senators Halo , Hoar , Cockrell and Aldrlch. Mr , Cockrell said he was astonished at the action of tlio senator from Ohio ( Sherman ) In mov ing the icferonco of the bill to the finance committee. Ho had supposed from the ac tion of the minority yesterday that they were desirous of passing the bill. When the senate undertook to fulfill Its pledges ; the senators from Ohio , Iowa and Rhode Island would not give their assistance. GAVE A PLAIN ANSWER. The senator from Rhode Island said he wanted to take up the bill. "Then vyhy did you want to take It up ? Inquired Mr. Cockrell. * * "So as to defeat It-promptly replied Mr. Aldrlch. , . The question was further discussed by Senators Hoar , Harris and Stewart and was then Interrupted by Mr. McPhcn.on of New Jersey who rose to a question of personal privilege , and proceeded to deny the state ment In a New York paper that he and Senators Brlce and Vest had Invested heav lly in Sugar stock In New York. Upon rotui n- Ing from a recent southern health trip , ho learned his New York brokers had bought for him 1,000 shares of Sugar stock , which ho had Immediately ordered sold at a loss , as It might lead to a contention. Ho did not own any stock sold In Wall street ex cept Atchlson stock. Mr. Wolcoy. suggested that In view of the action antagonistic to sliver which the senate might take ho would advlso the senator to tell his Atchlson stock. ( Laugh ter. ) Continuing , Mr. McPherson said that as a great deal of criticism as to the delay In reporting the tariff bill to the senate had boon made , ho would say the lesponslblllty was his and his alone. "I found the tariff bill made up by the subcommittee In lines altogether too low. I have not been In favor ot a gigantic slide downward from the McICinloy bill , but to a revenue bill , I have asked for higher rates of duty on some articles that were put In the bill. The entire - tire responsibility for the delay Is on my self , and I toke It off the shoulders of the other members of the committee. " Mr. Vest said ho bhould not have re ferred to the matter had It not be6n re ferred to by the senator from Now Jersey Ho asserted It was not his fault the tariff bill had not been reported to the senate two weeks ago. Ho did not know any ot the members of the firm mentioned nor had ho been In New York for some time. Ho characterized the story ns scandalous and the man who spread It as a liar. Mr. Canulen of West Virginia made a personal explanation In regard to the charges referred to by Senator Berry and others. Ho announced tliat ho stood with his colleague ( Faulkner ) and was In sjm- pathy with his views on the tariff. Mr. Palmer ot Illinois took up the discus sion of the sclgnlorago bill , but stated ho considered the tariff bill the question of chief Importance. WANTS A REVENUE TARlrT , A colloquy took place between Messrs. Palmer , Teller and Aldrlch , the latter Inquir ing what Mr. Palmer's views were on the tariff. "I am In favor of a revenue tariff , " as serted Mr. Palmer. "Has the senator any expectation ot a revenue bill being reported to the senate at this session ? " Inquired Mr. Teller. "Hope springs eternal In the human breast , " replied Mr. Palmer. "I belong to the class who hope. I hope wo shall approximate a revenue tariff , even It wo do not reach U. In my experience 1 have found things rarely turn out to be as bad as wo expect them to be. " "Does that refer to the tariff bill ? " asked Mr. Aldrlch. "Yes , " replied Mr. Palmer , "I think It will not bo as bad as It Is represented. " At the conclusion of Mr. Palmer'u remarks Mr. Harris moved to take up the seignior age bill and make It the bpeclal order. Agiccd to. But Mr. Sherman's motion to refer It to the finance committee had first to bo acted upon. Before consideration could bo entered upon Mr Dubols ot Idaho briefly opposed Ita ref erence and was followed by Mr. Voorheec , wjio thought the bill might as well be taken up In view ot the time that must necessarily pass before the tariff-till ! could bo brought before the senate for consideration. The mcssigo of the president transmitting the latest Hawaiian dlipatches and also the response of the secretary of state to the re o- lutlon of the senate asking for reciprocity corroipondenco with Columbia , Venezuela and Haytl was taken to the senate and oidcred printed with the accompanying doc uments. The vote was then taken on Mr. Slim man's motion , ill was defeated by a vote of 0 to 60. Who following voted In the affirmative : Messrs. Davis. Qalllnger , Merrill - rill , Palmer , Sherman and Vllas. The bill was then fairly bsforo the senate , but no ono appeared desirous of speaking on It. It was road f third time and before any one had time tb realize It , It was about to bo put on Its Una ] passage. Senator Morrlll arose and uttered n warn ing note. Senator Sherman also sought to check Its passage , being , as ho said , ns much surprised as any ono to see that the senate , which was the greatest deliberative body In the world , without consideration , had gene to an extreme beyond anything since 1 was organUid , In rushing a bill of this kind throughtpellmell , refusing to con sider It , refusing 16 refer It and now it Is proposed to inss the bill without debate. It was as Indefensible ) as an > thing which had ever been proposed. Holding a copy of the bill In his hand ho began to go * over It word by word , but BOOH asked that the question go over until tomonxxw BO ho could debate It. Mr. Harris expressed a willingness to have the bill Informally laid aside until tomorrow , IT WAS A SURPRISE. "Why , " sjald Mr. Sherman , In an aggrieved tone , "no ( due drcaihed the bill would pass today. " fj < - "No matter what any one may have dreamed , " replied M . Harris , "If the senator from Ohio wants time ho shall have It. " Mr. Allison , who was absent while all these events were occurring , learning that the bill had come near to pissing during his absence , moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill was ordered to bo rend tlio third tlmo and e'ngrossed , because ho wanted to offer some amendments Mr. Harris replied ho preferred to bo frank and hence hejihould object to the bill going to the amendment stage. An effort was made by the opponents to prevent action by moving nn adjournment , but the motion v.as voted down. Then , having everything In his own hands , Mr. Harris announced his willingness to have the bill go over until tomorrow If the senator from Ohio or any other senator desired It. The senate went Into executive session and at 3 ' 15 adjourned. Annum J'OK WAR vissr.LS. : oiinj ructs About the Amount Delivered anil to Ito Deliver * d. ' WASHINGTON , Jiareh 7. In connection with the disclosures as to defective armor plates furnished by tl/o / Carnegie company , Chairman Curamlngs.of the house naval committee has letters from the bureau of ordnance of the Navy department , showing where aimor plates liavo come from and on what war vessel they were used. The de partment had an unexpended balnnco of $10,000,000 In February , 1893 , which per mitted an extensive purchase of armor plate. This balance has since been reduced to $2,433,8Gt. The contracts with the Carneglo Steel company were for 8,978 tons , at the aggre gate cost of $5,145,923 , and with the Bethle hem Iron company for 10,527 tons , at the cost of $0,569,717. The total amount of steel plates thus far furnished Is 8.G&2 tons , at $1,502315. The amount still to be turnlshed Is 10,873 tons , at ? C,978C07. f The expense' thus fat * has been Increased about $300,000 by premiums , HarveylHng and the Introduction of nickel previous to BettleniBntj oLtho"'Vato.J lf s Of-tne " "armor " at to bo furnished the Carnegie Steel company will furnish 1,980 tons and the Bethlehem Iron company 5,975 tons. It is'estimated that the whole ot this will bo delivered by July 1 , 1895. The Carneglo company has ! already finished 407 tons 'and the Bethlehem Iron company 1,078 tons. This leaves 9,388 tons of armor for the next sixteen months , or 59C tons per month. s Thef bureau of ordnance reports that the new presses which are being erected at the armor works of the Carneglo Stcol company will bo In opcritlon In about three weeks , when theli monthly output will bo greatly Increased. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WOKKINGMIN WIKI : IMIUSCNT. / Yesterday's Proceedings Ilcforo the House Committee on l.ulior. WASHINGTON. March 7. Severn ! repre sentatives of labor organizations were pres ent at the meeting of the house commit tee on labor today when tlio bill introduced by Representative Doolltttlo 9t Washington to make an executlvtj department of the bureau was considered. Mr. Doollttlo filatejd the bill had been introduced nt the request of labor organizations on the Pacific coast. Ho believed the bureau of labor was un known to most of the people , and that its status should bo raised to that of an ex ecutive department so Its Importance might bo realized. Representative Phillips of Pennsylvania advocated a forum fpr the settleme'nt of labor troubles which could bo appealed to voluntarily , but denied such a tribunal could enforce Its Judgments by compelling men to work on terms unsatisfactory to themselves. Representative Ryan of Now York de clared such tribunals have proved merely ad\Isory. The question ot ( ho constitutional right to establish a court empowered to adjudicate difficulties between employes and employers w s raised. Paul T. Bowen of this city , who was In 1887 chairman ot the committee on legislation of the general assembly of the Knights of Labor and Is prominent In that order , has written Chairman McGann of the committee opposing the bill. Ho says tlio bill has boon thOoughly | discussed by the laboring people , but has few supporters , a majority considering It wiser to continue the department as an Independent bureau rather than to make a political ofnco of It. NOMINATED 11Y till : PltUSIUKM' . roatiuuatci * Appointed ; nnl Army and Navy OHIeeri AiUuneiil In liuiilc. WASHINGTON , March 7. The president today sent the following nominations to the senate : Postmasters : M sourl V. P. Hart , So- ilallaj Lowery Hay/ Charleston ; Aaron II. Conrow , Richmond. Nebraska Ira G. Fos ter , Nelson. i War Departmcnt-'lHeutenant Colonel Al fred T. Nelson. IJIgUth Infantry , to bo colonel ; Major George M. Randall , Fourth Infantry , to bo lieutenant colonel ; Captain Gilbert S. Carpenter , Fourth Infantry , major ; Second Lieutenant Grdrgo E. French , Fourth Infantry , first llcutennnt : Second Lieutenant Frank Owen , Eighth Infantry , first llouten- ant ; Captain Henry B. Kllbourne , assistant surgeon major and siirgeo'ii. Navy Departmon.tCaptaln Lester A. Beardslc , to bo commodore ; Commander Henry aianscaptain ; ; L'euteimnt Commander James II. Dayton , commander ; Lieutenant T. B. Mason , lieutenant commander ; Lieu tenant , junior grade , N , 8 , Knapp , lieutenant ; LJeutenant , Junior grade. William Rogers , lieutenant ; Paused Assistant Paymaster Charles M. Huy , paymaster ; Assistant Pay master Frank T. Arms , passed assistant paymaster. The senate | n executive weaslon jeiUr- day made the following confirmations , which were announced today : Postmtmten : MlE- Bourl J ; I. Jones at WaBliliUjtan , T. F. Priest at Mobcrly , Ed.vuid F. Wlrl"k at Clarksvlllc , Frank T. Merl\\othir at Louisi ana. Texas C. A. Wlrthlmor nt Vlctqrla , L. M. Logan at Varnnn. Metcornlogy In , Helm Ion to Soils. WASHINGTON , March 7. Secretary Mor ton hail added the division to the weather bureau devoted to the subject 'of me teorology In Ita relation to agricultural soils , The division is to study the climatic con ditions of heat and moisture under the sur face of the ground and the relation of these conditions to crop production. Prof , Milton Whitney of Maryland , late of the Johns Hop- Llns university , h& been appointed chief at the division. POR1UCDESE AND BRITISH Skirmish in Southeastern Africa Which May Lead to Serious Trouble , TROUBLE WAS OVER A TELEGRAPH LINE Kngllxh lUtio Jiiekfta Lnmlcil to Protect n I'lreil Upon liy the Portuguese mill tlio I'lro Returned ( unlioiit ! ) Hurried I'oruurd. PORT NATAL , S. 13. Afrjca , Mnrch 7. The Portuguese having obstructed the prog ress of the British parties engaged In con structing a telegraph line on the Zambesi , Lieutenant Commander Gcorgo S , Quarr ot the gunboat Mosquito landed a party ot blue jackets In orJcr to protect the men nt work upon the telegraph lino. The Portuguese fired upon the Brit ish landing party , and the flro was returned. The latest ad\lces from the sqeno of the encounter say that Governor Qullllnialno , the Portuguese official In charge In the district within the Portugtleso boun daries , has been summoned to the spot where the conflict took place , and he Is said to bo on his \\oy there with t\vo Portuguese tuguese gunboats and a number of troops. The British commander ) li.1a also asked for reinforcements and the latter arc said to have boon hurried forward Immediately upon receipt of the message announcing UiO con flict with the Portuguese. The government has received no news of the reported encounter between Portuguese and British forces In South Afrlci. It Is known to the government , however , there has been trouble concerning the construc tion of Commissioner Rhodes' telegraph lines across the strip of Portuguese territory at Tele. The Anglo-Portugueso treaty provided that either government shall have the right to lay telegraph lines across the torrltoiy.of the other. Five British gunboats are I } Ing In the Zambesi. imrrisii Titoors AT iiLUiriiii : > s. OI1kl.il Infonimtlcm nt Their Landing Ko- eclvetl tit vvisniiiitiin. ! WASHINGTON , March 7. The Depart ment of State , has received the first official Information of the operations of the British naval forces at Blueflelds , near the mouth of the Nicaragua canal. It came In the shape of a dispatch from United States Min ister Balvt r , at Managua. , . He says the United States consul at San Juan del Norto , Mr. Braid , telegraphs hlyi that the soldiers from the British war ahlp Cleopatra hava been landed at Blueflelds and strongly urges that a United States vessel be sent there nt once. There Is no explanation In the minister's dispatch for the reason of the landing of the British forces. The preceding report of Consul Baker shows that when the Nlcn- raguan government forces occupied Bltieflelds the reigning Mosquito chief appealed to the British consul at San Juan del Norte for protection and the question of Inteicst at this stage of affairs Is whether the British troops have been landed to afford pi election to the Mosqultos or whether the landing was made to protect British citizens only. ATTAOiviutfrui : NATIVE viij War Ships liomlmnllnp ; Gongor , the .Stronghold nt Chief rocllhlluh. - BALTHURST , March 7. The menof-vvar are bombarding Gongor , the stronghold of Chief jFodlsllah , today. Tiring can be heard In the direction of Fort nrekmnn , and from the clouds of smoke arising from the spot where the engagement Is supposed to have taken place It Is supposed that the stockade In the village has been captured and burned by the soldiers of the West Indian regi ment. It Is expected that the warships will land a strong force at Gongor tomorrow. After shelling Gonjas from daylight until 10 o'clock this morning a ship's boat approached preached and attempted to make a landing. The occupants of the boat were received with a hot fire from the enemy , who were posted behind a sand bank which was sur mounted by dense brush. The British boat was forced to retire and the bombardment of the stionghold was again begun , continuing until 10 o'clock. STUDENTS They IJo > "of Relish th Appointment of M. ISrtinctloro to the I'renth Academy. PARIS , Mnrch 7. The lecture of Mi Fer dinand Brunetleio nt the Soi benne today was listened to without disturbance , though In view of the riotous demonstrations Wednesday some trouble was expected. M , Brunetlere will bo remembered as the now member of the French academy who de feated M , Zolo recently In the contest for the seat made vacant by the death of John Kmllo Lemoullnne. Though the students behaved themselves during the lecture , after M. Brunetlere had closed his remniks the medical students made an attack upon the literary students and several sharp con- Illcts followed. Finally the medical stu dents made a manifestation In fiont of the rifjnro , nnil foi a time It looked ns though the students would tnnke an attack on tlio Figaro olllce , but a strong force of police were hurried there and the students were driven back to Latin Quarter , where this evening they arc causing a gicat deal of disturbance. ON GLADSTONE Ho Consider * Him thn Greatest rinnnUnl ( icnliiH of .Modern 'Union. BERLIN , March 7. Dr. Mlquel , Prussian minister of finance , has told a newspaper conesrpondent that he has no Intention of resigning , ns was alleged of him last week , lie feels strong- enough to cmry out his financial plans , In spite of the extent and strength of the opposition to them which had shown Itself , and declared that any statement to the control y might bo re garded ns wholly unfounded. Dr. Mlauel discussed the rctttemcnt of Mr. Gladstone nt gome length. IIu was highly eulogistic of the cx-picmler , whom ho characterized UH the gi cutest financial guilus of modern times Mi. Gladstone1 ! ! foi elfin policy , Mr Jllquel thought , was his vvenKe.st point , but ho was a trim mid repre sentative Englishman ami nt all Union ablate to advance England's commercial Intercuts. Argentine Itcpnlillu Keonomlrlng. BUENOS AYRES , March 7-Tho Argentine - tine Times announces that the cabinet lion agreed to economies amounting to $7,230,000 In the budget UH already voted , and In addi tion the cabinet has agreed to a Having of $10,000.000 for isni , plans being already laid to economise this last mentioned amount. Ilrlthth 1'ori'lgu 'Iindo Improving. LONDON , March 7. The Hoard of Tiado returns for Februniy show that the Im ports wore nearly 43,000,000. an Increase of 4.000,000 over the same time last jear. The exports were 17KX,000 ) , or an increase of 500,000 over the same period last > eur. Duteh unit Chlnou right. THE IIAGlin , Match 7.-Dispatches ) ) , ave been received icportlng that fighting hnn occurred between the Dutch nncj the Chinese- near Melaboch In the Inland of Su matra. The Dutch loss amounted to live killed and seventeen wounded. lt 'll Not Murrj u'iciutlr. OTTAWA , Out. , March 7. There , IH no truth In the icport that Lord Ava , son of Ilia marquis of Dufferln , Is to mairy u farmer's daughter of thlH province , con trary to the wishes of his friends , Intended the Ntutn of Hlegc. BUENOS AY iS , March 7.-A dispatch from KIo do Janeiro saym The state of slego In llrnzll has been extended until May. The vessels of the Insurgent squad ron are at present Inactive , Mmpcttcil Hunk Ofllelnli Acquitted. MELBOURNE , March 7. Sir Matthew Davies - vies , Into cashier of the Mercanlllo bank of Australia , Mr. Mlldege , late manager ot the bank , and Mr , Muntz , a director of the same Institution , whl % 'f > a been on trial charged with conspiracy * L 'Issuing n fatso balance sheet , were all ir * \ fed today. .i/A ' \ Vcviillir .Mlnforlti Mint Overtook 11 Trio of Nc\v\ \ j Mnldem. LOCKPORT , N. rtt March 7. ( Special Telegram to The Bete. ) The pretty llttlo village of Sanbarn , situated ten miles cast of Suspension bridge , Is In a great state of excitement today over the misfortunes which have befallen ono of the most respected families of the place. Joseph Schcnck , a wealthy farmer , who has throa daughters , Mary , Mnrla and Ellen , lived happily In n hnmlsomo homo of the village , the joung women being highly accomplished and devoted - voted daughters , wore admired by the people ple of the village and for miles around. Ot late these women have been attending spir itual seances , and It was noticed n change had como over them. However , nothing serious was thought ot the matter until Sat urday evening , when the villagers" were startled by seeing three women rushing through the roads , clad only In nightgowns. Investigation proved th.it the Schenck girls had run out ot their rooms and were Ilcolng , no one knew whore. The neighbors soon Went in search of them. When found the three women were raving maniacs. They were taken back to their rooms , where everything possible was done to quiet them , but It was no uso. It was finally found necessary to place them In jackets. The father Is prostrated nt the tcr- rlblo condition of his three daughters , and Is unable to account for their sudden nllllc- tlou. _ bKTTLKlt Jir m.OII .S. Jllvnl Theatrical Companies Decide the Merits of Their 1'iccei. JACKSONVILLE , III. , March 7. ( Special Telegram to The Bee , ) This morning the Wabash train which leaves Qulncy at an early hour was the scene of a riot which made , hair fly and women scream In the most approved fashion. On the train were two traveling theatrical troupes , "In Old Kentucky" and "Under the City Lamps. " The former was booked for this place this ovenlng and the latter for Danville , and there had been considerable rivalry stirred up between them , The war fln > t broke out between the ntago carpenters of the companies , each man being decidedly the worse for liquor. They began a llvcl } discussion In a somewhat friendly manner , but boon hot words flowed and blows came nott. The men clinched and women screamed and fainted , while members of the respective companies rushed to the aid of their champion and a free-for-all contest followed. The main combatants had haidly separated before all the women on the car had either fainted or been transferred to another coach. At this city a surgeon was summoned and dressed the wounds sus tained in the fight. / ; AisAxnoxr.it. Ho AVIll Not Start His Colony of 1'olcs In Antelope CoimtJ. CHICAGO , March 7. Count Lubienskl , who was going to plant a Polish colony of sugar beet farmers In Antelope county , Nebraska , has given up the enterprise. He said In an Interview with a reporter for a local paper that the unfriendly tone of the Wllf-on bill toward sugar made It Impossible for him to Interest capital In the beet sugar refineries , which vvcro Included In the coloni sation scheme , and until ho Knew just what the Wilson bill would do In the way of bounties and tariff , he and his associates would do nothing. ron 1'OKit.Asn- Itoston llu'shicRS Man Htlshliig ' ixiil to Huva Ilccn Seen Two A\eekH Kink. BOSTON , Maich 7 ; The stiango disap pearance of a wealthy Boston business man has just leaked out and brings to light a peculiar story. Last September , Alfied L. Oxnaid , manager of the collection and mer cantile agency nt 11 School street , anil re siding In Melrose , left Portland and Freeport - port , Me , to contest his father's will , which gave $30000 vvoith of property to his biothei John and left him nothing. HP never icached Portland ot Fieenort to the knowl edge of Boston paitlts. That ho evei wont that way IH not Known. The will was pro bated without rontest and the property turned over to the brother. Oxnaul made money in speculation here , and It Is claimed that his close attention to business at times affected him mentally. Ills buslnets was In good shape when he went away , and the only thing missing among his papers Is u deed to Homo land In Geoigla. His rel atives have but little to say about the mat ter and offer no explanation. Mrs. Oxnard In an Interview first s.ild seveinl times that It would bo strange If she did not know where hei husband wafl , but Inter Bhc ad mitted she did not know where he IB now. By some It Is expected that the man 111111- clered nt GcuiKctown tb O-viinid , and the mattci Is now being investigated. PORTLAND , Me. . Munh 7-Alfred Ox nard was seen In this city within two weeks and Is i eported to bo In this state nt the present time by parties claiming to know. * A I ) r.l. > C'7JJTA HA Tl'.f. MrcmntH ! of the 1'ac.lHc Count Agnln at .Mcicj of thn Puoillr Mull Conip my. SAN FRANCISCO , M.uch 7 The Pacific Mall company has evidently decided that Its war with the Noith Ameifcan Naviga tion company H at an end , as It has Issued a manlfe.sto to the nieichants that with the departure of the Acapulco dates thu death of low tariff schedules. The Colon Is the next vessel to leave foi Panama and way ports after the Acapulco , and ficlghtn shipped by hei will jo at the late of $ a ton The figure Is only nt ports at which the vessel touches To other pints fiom Acalpuko , north and south fiom Champer- leo and hj.iu Jose dc Ciiuitcniula up and down the coast , the rate has b"en Increased to $7CO This Is a big Jump fiom $2 a ton , and will make a dlffeience to shippers and consignees along the Mexican and Central Amoilcan coastt The only le.isnn for the sudden Increase which can he ascribed In a conviction In the inlndH of Mi Hnntlngton's dlrectois that the opposition , or Murchanl'u line. Is on Its last le-gn U se'ems to be ngieed heie now that the ofllcqrH of the Noith Ameilcan Navigation company who recently visited Now York failed to ienuw thcli contiact with the Panama Railroad company. The piebont conttuct expires May 1. _ - > i"- Movcmcntfi of Ocrmi Stomnci.s Murth 7. At New York Airlvcd idlnn , from Rot terdam ; Manitoba , fiom London , Tnuilu , fiom Llveipoolj Lcpant , from Antwoip ; Chester , fiom Southampton , At the LUard-I'nssed-Allor , Now Yorlc to Southampton and Ilicmcn , At Hnvie Sailed Rhaetlu , for New York. At Boulogne Arrived Obdam , from Rot terdam At Glasgow Arrived Peruvian , from Philadelphia. At Southampton Arrived Aller , from New York. At Philadelphia Arrived Assyrian , from Glasgow. ICil Illlimihon's I'uncr.il. CHICAGO , March 7. The funeral of 111 Williamson , the well known bane ball plajer , at Calvary llplpcopal chinch , drew together n largo number of hln old fi lends today. Fred Pfeffer came fiom Louisville to act as a pall bearer. William Sunday WIIH another , lliotlu'i I2lks made up the le- malndcr. On the cent lapel uvei thu breast of the corpse was a bunch of violate , pinned there by the widow In compliance with Williamson's only request when d > lni ; . for it I iiHt Trnnipiiilllo MUD. OTTAWA , Ont , March 7 , Mr lluddart of the Canadian-Australian line service Imu made u proposition to the government fO1 the establishment Qf a set vice by twenty- knot Hteumer.s upon the payment of a sub- fitly of 1750,000 a year for ten jears. Mi. Huddnit piopoBcs to CHtnbllsh n fast line from Great Britain tn Australia and New Zealand , using tlio Cnmullun Pacific I all- road for connection between the Atlantic and Patlllo oceans. Trlnl of the Imlhiim. BRHAKWATnil , Del. , March 7The battle ship Indiana , which left Cramp's shipyard In Philadelphia yesterday mornIng - Ing , dropped anchor oft the breakwater late thlB afternoon after u most Biicei'SHful pre liminary trial. Her speed exeee-ded con tract requirements and the Cramps are well with the showing. HIS END IS NEAR Mr , Gladstone Seems to Bo Almost at ffla Journey's Tonniimtiou , LYING IN LONDON NOW VERY ILL So Sick that His Friouds Tear the Worst tu the Outcome. INSISTS THAT HE IS IN NO DANGER Old Mnn Himself Saya that His Indisposi tion is of No Moment , WALK IN THE NIGHT AIR GAVE HIM A CHILL InslU on Keeping Him In Hril , IP Splto of lilt Own ItnmoiiHtntitieN , routIng - Ing that Some DniigenAiH Compli cation .Mnj bet In , LONDON , Mnrch 7. Mr. Gladstone la seri ously 111 as the result of a chill. According to the statements made In con nection of the sickness of the ex-promlor , the latter walked home fiom Brooks' club , CO St. James' street , > estcrday evening after dining thcio with his late nccrctailcs , and walked homo through at. James' pirk , though the night was a chilly ono for oven a young and robust man to venture out Into after dining nt a heated club. As a result , ho con tracted a chill , and upon reaching homo had to bo hurried off to bed In spite of Mr. Gladstone's remonstrances , claiming that his Indisposition was only a slight matter , n doc tor was summoned and Mr. Gladstone was put under treatment. This morning his condition was such that another phjslclan was summoned to attend him and'this afternoon ono of the physicians In attendance on the distinguished patient gave a statement to the newspapers which Indicates that Air Gladstone's Illness Is un doubtedly serious. The , physician said , however - over , that the abjcnco of a high fever Indi cated that there was no great danger at present. Mr. Gladstone Is suffering considerably from hoarseness and Is l.cpt In bed In splto of his remonstrances. Ho Insists that ho Is only suffering from a temporary Indisposi tion and that he will bo all right In a day or so. Ills physicians do not take this view ot the case , and whllo they say that the great English statesman Is In no danger nt present , they will not allow him to leave his bed un til a consldeiablo Improvement has taken place In his condition. Nattnally the leport of Mr. Gladstone's Ill ness has spread with remarkable rapidity , and from many quartern Inquiries are already coming In isklng for particulars concerning the distinguished sufferer's health and ex pressing the hope that he will soon bo on tlio high road to recovery. The report circulated In regard to Mr. Gladstone's health caused a number of promU ncut people to call at his lesldcnco during the day. Among these who called were Lord Rosebory and lit. Hon. Henry Asqulth , the secretary of state for homo affairs. Mrs. Gladstone has bent a letter excusing Kir. Gladstone from attendance at the dinner to bo given by the duke of York this even ing. Mrs. Gladstone , however , will bo pres ent at the dinner If the Improvement In Mr. Gladstone's health Is maintained. The following bulletin was Issued tonight : "Sir. Gladstone Is suffering from a cough duo to a catairhal Inflammation ot the throat. His temperature Is only slightly above nor mal and his btrcngth Is good. He remain * In bed. " Mr. Gladstone was cheoiful during the day and was able to dictate replies to many ot the letters received Inquiring as to his condi tion and expressing sympathy. Din xor wmcic : Tin : CIIY. London I'ollco Very JUtu.li beared by 1 Ind * hit ; nn Iiinoient Llttlo Tin llox. LONDON , March 7. The police of London are Buffering from another dynamite scarcu According to the story told by Superintend ent Richard W. Stoggles of the E division , A tin box was found labt night upon one of the windows In the historical Bow Street police station. The box is described as being two Inches deep , one Inch broad , and ! as havlnc a round hole in It from which protruded portions of a burned fuse , After , seeing It very carefully wateied the super * Intemlent of police , assisted by several In" specters and sergeants , plucked up couragej enough to open the box. They found within. It a cartridge containing only ordinary powder. The box was found to bo black ened with the emoko and fire from the burned fuse , and there Is still Bomo doubt as to whether an attempt ot n very weak nature was made to cause an explosion or whether Itwas merely a practical Joke. The pollco take the matter very seriously , nshiimo an all' of profound mj story antl Insist that Homebody made nn attempt to cause an explosion at the Bow Street polled station. The pollco ar. . emphatic In the opinion that the box contained dynamlto niul that It was Intended by these who placed It where It was found to destroy the Bow Street station. It will , however , take con- sldorablo strong evidence to convince the general public that the policemen of Bow street have not been the victims of a prac- The tin einlstor only contained u blank cartridge , covered with u quantity of sand , and having a fuse attached tn It. Change * hi the llrltlhli MlnlHtry. / LONDON , March 7. Mr , Heibert Glad stone , member * for South Leeds and parliamentary secretary of the Iloma ofllco , has accepted the position of first com missioner of public woikfl , made vacant by , the fact that lit. Hon Geoigo Slmw-Lofovro , member for Central Bradford , has been ap pointed president of the local gavcinmcnt board. Mr. Herbcnt Gladstone , however , will not hava u Beat In the cabinet , although hlH predecessor was a cabinet minister. It Is claimed there tire symptoms uf re volt among aomc of the leading faupporteru ot the McCarthy itcs In regard to thu atti tude uf Mr. Justin MeCai thy , the leader of the Irish nationalist party on the question ot the pn'inloishlp , Thn attitude .of Mr. Mc Carthy Is coimldcrod by BO inn of | IH ! frlimlii nu showing weakness and as a sellout ) error of judgment. 111 u 'liile of DUiister LONDON , March 7. Parts of lifeboats be longing to the British bark A ton Cofnl wer * picked up off the coast of Cornwall yester day. The Afon Cofnl , Captain Hughes , nailed from Swansea January ! > , bound fun San Francisco , Prior to Junu.it y SI , n llfo buoy and u pleco ot wood marked Afim Cofnl were picked up on the coast of one of the Scllly Islands. There can be llttlo doubt as to the fate of the unfortunate vessel I'rlniu ul Sea In ( iah * . MARSEILLES , March 7. The prince ot Wales' cutter Britannia , with the prince ot Wales on board , started for Cannes today In a gale of wind , and some anxiety Is ex pressed hero as to the outcome of thu trip. CANNES , March 7. The cutter Britannia , with the prince nt Wulcu on board , arrived hcio this ovcttlng. I.onU KiKHiilh' * Condition. TURIN , Maich 7. Loulu Kossuth , whos condition ot health lias recently caused Eonio anxiety tu his friends , passed a rent ier night Tills morning , however , Ilia dlstliiKUluhed patient Is calmer and his at tendants say that ho 1s regaining