Newspapers / The Gazette [1891-1898] (Raleigh, … / Dec. 18, 1897, edition 1 / Page 1
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1 1. .1 il 5 'i ::Js A ! :! t WEEKLY NEWSPATM -PtTBLISniD JAMES H. rOUNO, Editor and Prop. A. J. ROOERS and J. D. PAIR Otntral Trailing Agonts. vn jatx, oa month 1 One square, two months...,..,, B n square, tar montxj ..... ne square, aiz mo&tbj 06 aauare. on raar fi C3"Llboral contracts mad for Uri Mrertiaameata. B THE WEEKLY GAZETTE. I I Rniririri Br pj II l II 11 till Ft VI i VI t f II .vi 1 .11 l 1 I l VI I I VI M i Aiivcnumr. ri H r f M ' I 7 f J ' f 1 J 1 , m f DO 00 ft . j I TT AA i i U-q . fi H J- Lt - J 1 H J VI t II I 1 I A II I I 5 V f M 11 6 00 M ft M 3 VOL, IX. huh i u. i rrm 1 WtQO&Ci the message; President HcKinley's Anneal Communication to Congress. CURRENCY REFORM IS URGED. Advises Against tho Recognition of Cuba as a Belligerent. The Financial Question Discussed at Great Length-Thinks tho Secretary c.f the Treasury SlionM lie Kmpowcred to Issue Bonds at a Locr Interest, and That Treasury Notes Redeemed In Gold Should Eo Ilelssued Only on Payment of Gold-Says Spain Should Ilavc More Time n Which to Taclfy Cuba -Arguments For Hawaiian Annexa tlon Japan's Fears Allayed Tho Bl metallic Mission Abroad The Mes unge Also Ienls With tho Union Ta clHc Sale, the Nicaragua Canal, lie ..r. jii.isi uoltl Hunters., tho 'iniiuii vjucsuon, Arbitration and Civil Service Reform Economy Urged Washisotus, D. C. (Special). Tho mes r.i3 ui iTO,uent MclUnley wa3 received mo Tucy-imii uongrc33 shortly after tno first regular session oponed at noon Monday. 7f 1 c- Ann 0 11 1 " 1J u' " 'oncost messages sent to Congress, nnd deals at length with the currency problem, our relations to Spain A nA XI. . . uu uu.-t; iae annexation or Hawaii and many other topics of government and pol icy. Tr n.. ii . . ... wouy, u. points out tue crying necessity Ul currency riior.n, indorses Secretary isoa pmn, maintains ttiat United States notes reJ33m3d in gold should not bo paid vut ujjiua o.Tcept ror gold, and that the ireasury-reserve danger should be stopped intervention in Cuba is tho stand taken by tha Trosident until Spain has had n chance to try Sagasta's policv. TTflTtTll; elmnl.l I , onuiii u-j nuaeioa ns soon as possible, and Congress should study ou details of administration of the islands. rv - . . ... wur relations wltli Japan are friendlv and bimetallij negotiations with European L't.i . tn.ni.i-a uro progressing. Tl. n xuo joernment may become a railroad owner by bidding in tho Kansas racifle. The message is, in part, as follows: WT i 1 r-. ao tue wena-.o and House of Itepresenta- n.rir,tMr, extencl meeting Tl i nw-mm uuress, assembled in xcKuur session at tlie seat of Government Tvith many of whoso Senators and Itepre Bcujiiive.i i nave ooon associated in tho legislative service. Their meeting occurs Ul,u ifueKous conditions, justifying sin l Jugratuiations aud calling for our Kieuii aeKnowieugement to a beneficent Providence, which has so signally blessed and prospered us ns a nation. IVace and good will with nil the nations Ul t l lartn continue unbroken. A matter of genuine satisfaction Is the Kruwiuif leeun.'? or fraternal regard and uumcauoa or ail sections of our coun ii j, mo mcompiecencss ot wiiiea has too "B ueiayo i realization of tho highest blessings of tho Union. Tho ppirit of pa- la univLTsru ana 13 ever increasin" In fervor. Tho public questions which now uiosi engross us aro lirtod far abovo either pjrusansuip, prejiullco or former sectional ditrerences. They effect every part of our vu.uuicju country aiiKo nnd permit of no division on ancient lines. Questiony of loreign poncy, or revenue, the soundness or tho currency, the inviolability of national obligations, tho improvement of tho public service, nppeai to tho individual con science of every earnest citizen, to what ever party no belongs or In whatever sec- nun oi me country he may reside. Tho oxtra session of this Congress, which closed during July last, enacted important legislation, and while its full effect has not yet been realized, what it has already ac complished assures us of its timeliness and wisdom. To test its permanent value fur ther time will bo required, and the peoplo f-atisled with its operation and results thus far, aro in no mind to withhold from it a fair trial. Currency Itevision. Tariff legislation having been settled by the extra session of Congress, tho question next pressing for consideration is that of tho currency. Tho work of putting our finances upon a sound basis, difficult as it may seem, will appear easier whoa wo re call tho financial operations of the Govern ment since 1966. With tho great resources of the Govern ment and with tho honorable example of the past before us, we ought not to hesitato to enter upon a currency revision which will make our demand obligations less onerous to the Government and relieve our financial laws from ambiguity and doubt. There aro many plaus proposed as a rem edy for tho evil. Before we can find the true remedy we must nppreciato the real evil. The evil of tho present system Is found In the great cost to the Government of maintaining the parity of our different forms of money; that is, keeping all of them at par with gold. Wo surely cannot be loDger heedless of tho burden this im poses upon tho people, even under fairly prosperous conditions, while the past four years have demonstrated that it is not only an expensive charge upon the Government, but a dangerous menace to the national It is manifest that wo must devise some an to protect tho Government against Nnd issues for repeated redemptions. We must cither curtail the opportunity for speculation, made easy by tho multiplied redemptions of our demand obligations, or increase the gold reserve for their redemp tion. Wo liavo $900,000,000 of currency wBViSsw Government by solemn enact ment has undertaken to keep at par with gold. Nobody is obliged to redeem In gold but the Government. Tho banks are not required to redeem in gold. The Government is obliged to keep equal with gold all its outstanding currency and coin obligations, while Its re ceipts are not required to be paid in gold.' They are paid in every kind of money but gold, and the only means by which the Government can with certainty get gold is by borrowing. It can get it in no other waj.when it most needs It. Tho Govern iiv;nt, without any fixed gold revenue, is pledged to maintain gold redemptlon.which it has steadily and faithfully done, and which, nndr the authority now given, It will continue to do. Tho Bond Iscuei. Tho law wliioh requires the Government, after having redeemed its United States Jiott s to pay them out again as current funds, demands a constant replenishment or the gold reserve. This is especially so in times of business panic and when the revenues aro insufficient to meet the ex- ply it3 no other way to bud through th in-..? ? aWon but 'i (.j mi. ii ii n n v r A- 1 " f Jit nnd e incrot idminis .1 . . au Ul ira nnil fi AH HnK 02,315,400 of 4W With bur r;BZ " . " ae government. 1Mb below . .wS'V Sl.HjiffI.0,hcr PlmM8 under v r .' Tho serlnna m.cWA. n . .. , - M'iiuu men ig. snail we reaches tho"nnV3' eu tho Sold reserve reacnes tno point of danger issuo mnm wenpdrovotPhPly the edldrgold-orS ?ae.K e,oter means to prevent these lecurring drains upon tho gold reserve? If SfKegi9l?tion 13 htt and the po icy nl1""? .b,ad.9 3 . t0 . V continued, thai Tron ' '""'a give tho Secretary of tho Jw9"?r,a,ith?rltJr.toso bonds at long or oV ii 'CVUU3' earS a less rate of inter, est than Is now authorized by law. The Endless Chain. . ily commend, as soon ns the ' i l3Ul i:e government aro quito sum "CIU l" l';,.v. nu ino expenses of the Gov ernment that when any of the United Mates notes aro presented for redemption in gold, and are redeemed in jrold. such suau do kept and set apart, ,.uu out in exenange for gold This is nn obvious duty xi me noiuer or the United States noto prefers the gold, nnd gets it from tho uuteiumeni, no should not receive back rromtho Governmont a United States note wuuoui paying gold In exchange for it in my view it is of tho utmost importanco that the Government should be relieved irom tue Durden of providing all tho gold required ior exchanges and export. This responsibility is alone borne by the Gov urmneni wituout any of tho usual and necessary ranking powers to heln itself .the banks do not feel tho strain of gold redemption. Tho whole strain rests upon the Government, and the size of the gold resarvo in tho Treasury has come to be, with or without reason, tho signal of dan ger or of Beeurity. This ought to po scoppeu. Tho Secretary of tl Ift Trp.TQnrw Tina mit lined a plan in great detail for the purposo of removing tho threatened recurrence of a ciepietea gold reserve. Regarding Cuba. lho most Important problem with which una uoyernment is now called upon to deal pertalninc to its foreicn rnlatirma mirnu its duty toward Spain and the Cuban insur rection, i ne story or Cuba for many years has been one of unrest. For no enduring periou since the enfranchisement of the continental possessions of Spain in the western continent has tho condition of cuDa ortno policy of Spain toward Cuba not caused concern to tho United States ine prospect from time to time that the weakness or Spain's hold upon the island and tho political vicissitudes and cmbar- lnssments or the home Government mieht ma iransier ot uuua to n CJontinen tai power caned lorth, between 1823 nnd low, various emphatic declarations of the policy of the United States to permit no nisturDanco or Cuba s connection with spam, unless In the direction of indepen- ufuuu ur ucquisiiion ny U3 through pur ciinse; nor nas thero been any cnange of this declared policy sinco upon tho piirt of mo uuvnumcui, Tho present insurrection broke out in February, 1895. It is not my purposo at this time to recall its remarkable increase or to characterize its tenacious resistance against tho enormous forces mned against it by Spain. The revolt and tho efforts to subdue it carried destruction to every quarter of tho island, developing wldo proportions, nnd defying the ef forts of Spain for its suppression. The civilized codo of war ha3 been disregarded, no less so by the Span iards than by the Cubans. The existing conditions cannot but fill this Government nnd the American people with the greatest apprehension. Thero is no desire on the part of our people to proiit by tho misfor tunes of Spain. Wo have onlv tho deslro tn soe tho Cubans prosperous and contented enjoying that measure of self-control which is the inalienable right of man. Good Offices Kefused. The offer made bv mv nredscpsaor in April, 1SDG, tendering the friendly offices of this Government, failed. Anv medi.-iUmi on our part was not accented. In brief tho answer read: There is no effectual way to pacify Cuba unless it begins with the actu al submission of the rebels to tho mother country. Tho cruel policv of concentration was initiated February 16, 18i)6. The pro ductivo districts controlled by tho Spanish armies were depopulated. Tho agricultur al inhabitants wero herded in nnd ahrmt tho garrison towns, their lands laid waste and their dwellings destroyed. This policy the late Cabinet of Spain justified as a necessary measui-3 of war, and as a means of cutting off supplies from tho insurgents. It has utterly failed as a war measure. It was not civilized warfaro. It was extermin ation. Against this abuse of the rights of war I have felt constrained on repeated occasions to enter tho iirm and earnest protest of this Government. Ihe instructions given to our new Min ister to Spain before his departure for bis post directed him to impress upon that Governmont the sincere wish of the United States to lend Its aid toward tho ending of tho war in Cuba by reaching a peaceful and lasting result, just and honorable alike to Spain and the Cuban people. It was urged that as a neighboring nation, with largo interests in Cuba, wo could bo required to wait only a reasonable time for the mother country to establish its authority and restore peace and order within tho borders of the island; that we could not contemplate an indefinite period for the accomplishment of this result. Spain's lteply. The reply to our note was received on the 23d day of October. It is in tho direction of a better understanding. It appreciates tho friendly purposes ot this Government. It admits that our country is deeply affect ed by tho war in Cuba, and that its desire for peace is just. It declares that the present Spanish Government is bound by every consideration to a change of policy that should satisfy tho United States and pacify Cuba within a reasonable time. To this end Spain has decided to put into effect the political reforms heretofore ad vocated by the present Premier, without halting for any consideration In tho path which in its judgment leads to peace. In tho absence of a declaration of the measures that this Government proposes to take in carrying out its proffer of good offices, it suggests that Spain bo left free o conduct military operations and grant political reforms, while the United States, for its part, shall enforce its neutral obli gations and cut off the assistance which, it is asserted.the insurgents receive from this country. Inscusslon or the question or tue inter national duties and responsibilities of tho United States, as Spain understands them, is presented, with the apparent disposition to olytrjfl us with failure in thia regard. This charge is without any basfs in fact. It could not have been made if Spain had been cognizant of the constant efforts this Government has made, at the cost of mil lions and by the employment of the admin istrative machinery or tue nation at com mand, to perform its full duty. Cuban Belligerency. Of the untried measures, there remain only recognition of the insurgents as bel ligerents, recognition of the independence of Cuba, neutral Intervention to end tue war by imposing n rational compromise between the contestants and intervention in favor of ona or the other party. I speak not of forcible annexation, for that cannot bo thought of. That, by our codo of mor ality, would bo criminal aggression. Rec ognition of the belligerency of tho Cuban insurgents has often been canvassed as a possible if not inevitable step. I am not unmindful that the two houses of Congress - "fhus ui ioao expressed the opinion Cr. iMumuuj, mai n condition Yl puuuo war existed, requiring or justify --o ovuSuiuuu ui a state or peiiiger PrilW In 11 Vm f Tri fYt a rwaaATAA . a n . , jxaciiuo ui mese sigmncant ex cwionsoi tne sentiment of. tho lecisla v , uu' 1C oenooves the Executive to Tk uy ,OIlsmer tno conditions under wnicb. so important a measure must needs rest for justification. It is to be'seriously -au wueiuer tue uupnn insurrection ytwses Deyond dispute tho attributes of otaiHuooa, which alone can demand the recognition or belllgorency in its favor. Kesnlts of Recognition. rr j-urning to the practical aspects of a recognition of belligerency and viewing its inconveniences and positive dangers, still periinent considerations appear, j.ne act or recognition usually takes the lorni or a solemn proclamation of neutral ny. which recites tho do facto condition of belligerency as its motive. It announces a domestic law of neutrality in the declaring omiu. xt assumes tne international obli Riniuiia oi a neutrat in the presenco oi puouc state cr war, It warns all citizens nnd others with in tue jurisdiction: of tho , proclaimant that iney violate these rigorous obligations at tneir own peril and cannot expect to be snieided from the consequences. The'right of visit and search on tho seas and seizure of vessels and cargoes as contraband of war ana good prizes under Admiralty law must, urnier international jaw be admitted as legitimato consequence of a proclamation of belligerency. The enforcement of this enlarged and on erous code of neutrality would only be in liuentlal within our own jurisdiction by land and sea, and applicable by our own instrumentalities. It could impart to the uniteu states no jurisdiction between Spain and the insurgents. It would give the United States no right of intervention to enforce the conduct of the strife within tho paramount authority of Spain, accord ing to tne international code of war. Recognition Unwise. For these reasons, I rearard the recogni tion of the belligerency of tho Cuban insur gents as now unwise and therefore inad missible. Should that step hereafter bo deemed wise as a measure of right and duty, the Executive will take it. Intervention upon humanitarian grounds nas peen irequently suggested and ha3 not railed to receive my most anxious and earn est consideration. Hut should such a step be now taken, when it is apparent that a hopeful change has supervened in tho pol icy of Spain toward Cuba? Under tho new military commander a hroai clemency is proffered. Measures have already been set on foot to relievo the horrors or htarvation. The power of the Spanish armies, it is asserted, is to bo used, not to spread ruin nnd desolation, but to protect the resumption of peaceful agrleu! tural pursuits and productive industries. Spain to Have More Time. it is nonestiy auo to Spain nnd to our friendly relations with Spain that she should be given a reasonable chance to real ize her expectations. She has recalled the commander whoso brutal orders inflamed tho American mind and shocked the civilized world. She has modified tho horrible order of conccntration,and has undertaken to care for the helpless and permit those who de sire to resume tho cultivation of their fields to do so, and assures them of the protection of tho Spanisli Government in their law ful occupations. She has just released the competitor prisoners, heretofore sentenced to death, and who have bean tho subject of repeated diplomatic correspondence during both this nnd the preceding Ad ministrations. Not a single American cit izen is now in arrest or confinement in Cuba of whom this Government has anv knowledge. Tho near futurowill demonstrate whether tho indispensable condition of a righteous peace, just alike to tho Cubans and to Spain as well, equitable to nli our Interests so intimately involved in tho welfare of Cuba, is likely to bo attained. If not. the exigency of further and other action by the United States will remain to bo taken. When that time comes that action will be determined in the line of indisputable ricrht and duty. It will be faced, without misgiv ing or hesitancy, in tho light of tho obliga tion thi3 Government owes to itself, to the people who have confided to it tho protec tion of their interests and honor, and to humanity. Hawaiian Annexation. By a special message dated the 16th dav of June last I laid before the Senate a treaty signed that day by tho plenipotenti aries of tho United States and of tho Re public of Hawaii, having for its purpose tho incorporation of tho Hawaiian Islunds as an integral part of the United States and under its sovereignty. Tho Senate having removed the injunction of secrecy, altho'.fgh the treaty is still pending bofore that body, the subject may be properly referred to in this message, because tho necessary action of tho Congress is required to determine by legislation many details of the eventual union, should the fact of annexation be ac complished, as I believe it should. hue constantly disavowing from a very early period any aggressive policy of ab sorption in regard to tho Hawaiian group.a long series of declarations through three quarters of a century has proclaimed the vital interest of tho United States in tho in dependent life of the islands and their in tercommercial dependence upon this coun try. At the same time it has been repeated ly assorted that in no event could tho en tity of Hawaiian Statehood cease by tho passage of the islands under tho domina tion or influence of another power than the United States. Under these circumstances thologloof events required that annexa tion, heretofore offered but declined, should in tho ripeness of time come about as tho natural result of the strengthening ties that bind us to those islands, and be realized by tho rreo will of the Hawaiian State. That treaty was unanimously rati fied, without amendment, by tho Senate and President of the Republic of Hawaii on the 10th of September last, and only awaits the favorable action of the American Sonate to effect the complete absorption of tho islands into tho domain of the United States. Japan and Hawaii. The questions which have arisen between Japan and Hawaii by reason of the treat ment ot Japanese laborers emigrating to tho islands under tho Hawaiian-Japanese, convention aro in .1 satisfactory stage of settlement by negotiation. Nicaragua Canal. A subject of largo importance to our country and increasing appreciation on the part of the people is tho completion of tho great highway of trado between the Atlantic and Pacific, known as the Nicar agua Canal. Its utility and value to American commerce is universally ad mitted. The commission appointed under date of July 24 last "to continue the surveys and examinations authorized by the act approved March 2, 1393," in regard to "the proper route, feasibility and cost of construction of the Nicaragua' Canal, with a view of making complete plans for the entire work of construction or such canal," is now employed in the undertak ing. Bimetallic Unvoys. Under the provisions of the act of Con gress, approved March 3," 1837, for tho pro motion of an international agreement re specting bimetallism, I appointed on the 14th day of April, 1397, tho Hon. Edward O. Wolcott, of Colorado, tho Hon. Adlai E. Stevenson, of Illinois, and the Hon. Charles J. Paine, of Massachusetts, as special en voys to represent the United States. They have been diligent in their efforts to secure the concurrence and cc-operation of Euro pean countries in the international settle ment of the question, but up to this time have not been ablo to secure an agreement contemplated by their mission. OuT special envoys have not made their final report, as further negotiations be tween tho representatives of this Govern ment and the Governments of other coun RALEIGH,- N. C, SATURDAY, tries are pending and In contemplation. They believe that the doubts which have been raised in certain quarters respecting tbe possibility of maintaining the stability of the parity between the metals and kin dred questions may yet bo solved by farther negotiations. For Reciprocity. In order to executo as oarly a3 possible tho provisions of the third and fourth sec tions of the Revenue act, approved July 24, 1897, 1 appointed the Hon. John A. Kasson, of Iowa, a Special Commissioner Plenipo tentiary to undertake the requisite negotia tions with foreign countries desiring to avail themselves of these provisions. The negotiations are now proceeding with sev eral Governments, both European and American. About the Seals. The efforts which had been made durinor tho two previous years by my predecessor to secure better protection to the fur seals in the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea were renewed at an early date by this ad ministration, nnd have been pursued with earnestness. Upon my invitation the Gov ornmonts of Japan and Russia tent dele gates to Washington, and an international conference was held. The Government of Great Britain did not see proper to be represented at this confer-: once, but subsequently sent to Washington as delegates the expert Commissioners of Great Britain and Canada, who had during tho past two years visited .the Pribylov Isl ands, and who met ;in conference similar Commissioners on the part of tho United States. The result of this conference was nn ngreement on important facts connected with tho condition of tho seal herd, hereto fore in dispute, which should place beyond controversy the duty of the Governments concerned to adopt i measures without de lay for the preservation and restoration of the herd. For Arbitration. International nrbitration cannot bo omitted from tho list of subjects claiming our consideration. Events have only served to strengthen the general views on this question expressed in my inaugural address. The best sentiment of ths civil ized world is moving toward the settle ment of differences between nations with out resorting to the horrors of war. Needs of the Navy. The great increase of tho navy, which has taken placo in recent years, was justi fied by the requirements for national de fense, and has received public approbation. The time has now arrived, however, when this increase, to which tho country is committed, should, for a time, take tho form of increased facilities commensu rate with tho increase of our naval ves sels. It is an unfoutunate fact that there Is only ono dock on the Pacific const capable of docking our j largest ships, and only one on tho Atlantic 1 const, nnd that tho latter has for the last 1 six or seven months been under repair aud, j therefore, incapable of uso. Immediate ; steps should bo taken to provide throo or J four docks of this capacity on the Atlantic I coast, at least one for tho racifle coast and ! a floating dock in the Giilf. As there aro now on tho stocks five battle-! shipsof tho largest class which cannot bo! completed for a year or two, I concur with tho recommendation of tho Secretary of; iiiu.Liaij' xui jjj&ui.i.biwii iiui ujl ieiu the construction of one battleship for tho Pacific coast: and also that several tor pedo boats bo authorized la connection with our general system of coast defence. Alaskan Government. Tho Territory of Alaska requires the prompt and early attention of Congress. Tuo conditions now existing demand mate rial changes In tho laws regarding the Ter ritory, The great influx of population in tho spring will not permit us to longer neg lect tho extension ot civil authority within the Ter.'itorj Dr pr -net.hoesluLli3h-nont of a more thorou'i vernment. Tho startling, thou -h possibly cxagger-. ated, reports from tho Yukon River coun-j try of the probable shortage of food for tho', large number of peoplo who are wintering I thero without tho means or leaving tho country aro confirmed in such measure as to justify bringing the matter to the atten tion of Congress. Should these reports of the suffering of our follow citizens be fur ther verified, every effort at auy cost should be made to carry them reuer. The Dawes Commission. By soction 16 of tbe act of March 3, 1893, tho President was authorized to appoint threo commissioner to enter into negotia tions with the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chicka saw, Muscogee (or Creek) nud Sominobj nations, commonly known us tho fiva civil ized tribes in this Indian Territory. The provision In tno Indian appropria tion act, approved Juno 10, 189G, makos it tho duty of tho commission to investigate and determine tho rigat3 or applicants tor citizenship in tho five civilized tribes, and to make complete census rolls of tho citi zens or said trihes. Tho commission 13 at present engaged In this work. Yellow Fever Scourge. The recent prevalence of yellow fever In number of cities and towns throughout tho South has resulted in much disturb ance of commerce and demonstrated tho necessity of such amendments to our quarantine laws as will make the regula tions of tho national quarantine authorities paramount. union l'acinc sale. The Union Pacific Railway, main line.was sold under the docreo of tho United State3 Court for the District of Nebraska on No vember 1 and 2 of this year. Tho amount due tho Governmont consisted of the prin cipal of the subsidy bonds, $27,233,512, and tho accrued interest thereon, $ 31,211,711.75, making tho total indebtedness 553,448,- 233.75. Tho bid at tho sale covered the ilr3t mortgago lien and tho entire mortgage claim of tho Government, principal and Interest. The sale of the subsidized portion of the Kansas Pacific line, upon which the Gov ernment holds a second mortgage lien, has been postponed at the instance of the Gov ernment to December 16, 1897. By tho de cree of tho court tho upset prioo ou tho sale of the Kansas Pacific will yield to tho Government tho sum of 2,500,000 over all prior liens, costs and charges. in so important a matter as tne Crovern- ment becoming the possible owner of rail road property, I feel constrained to lay be fore Congress these facts for its considera tion before the consummation of the sale. It is clear to my mind that the Government should not permit the property to be sold at a price which will yield less than one hair of tho principal of its debt, or less than one-fifth of its entire debt, principal and interest. But whether tho Government, rather than accept less than its claim, should become a bidder, and thereby the owner of the property, I submit to tho Con gress for action. citji service. During tho past fow months the Civil Service has been placed upon a still firmer basis of business methods nnd personal merit. While the right of our veteran sol diers to reinstatement in deserving cases has been asserted, dismissals for merely political reasons have been carefully guarded against, tho examination for ad mittance to the servico enlarged, and at the same time rendered less technical and more practical; and distinct advance has been made by giving a hearing beforo dis missal upon all cases where incompetency is charged or demand made for tho removal of officials in any of the departments. Economy Urged. The estimates of the expenses of the Government by the several departments will, I am sure, have your careful scru tiny. While the Congress may not find it an easy task to reduce tne expenses or the Government, it should not encourage their increase. Theso expenses will, in my judg ment, admit of a decrease in many branches of the Governmont without Injury to the public service. It is a commanding duty to keep the appropriations wituin tne receipts of the Government, and thus avoid a de ficit. WILLIAM McKINLEY. Executive Mansion, D ecember 6, 1SV7. I DECEMBER 18,1697. NE6R0E8 fliO THEIR RIGHTS "The Old Time Religion, It is Good Enough for Me." MORE WORK; LESS POLITICS. A Noble Move Among the Kace--Ncver Speak Evil of Another Other Kace Sayings and Doings. In some parts of the South the Ne groes certainly appear to have their rights. In Halifax county, N. C, five of the largest towns have Negro post masters. One of the three county com missioners is a Negro. The only Negro Congressman is furnished by that coun ty. The solicitor and prosecuting at torney of the judicial district of the dozen or more counties, is a Negro, and the court crier is a Negro. In a num ber of counties in that part of tho State, Negroes hold tbe offices of register of deeds, Superior Court clerks, and all county offices except sheriff: So far there has been no Negro sheriff in that State. It is also 6tated that the pros pects are that a Negro port collector at Newborn, N. C, as well as at Wilming ton, will scon be appointed by the President. It would be interesting to learn from some reliable correspondent how they do their work. The Chris tian Advocate. A noble movement among the colored race is the founding of the American Negro Academy. This Academy is au organization of authors, scholars, grad uates and writers, men of African de scent, for the promotion of letters, art, literature and science; for tho creation of a form of literary taste; to encour age and assist scholarship; to stimulate inventive and artistic power and to aid in the publication of works of merit and genius. Among those interested in it are Dr. F. J. Grinkle, a graduate of Princeton; Dr. Alexander Crummell, a graduate of Oxford, Eng. , and an au thor of fine attainments; Prof. Kelly Miller, of Howard University, and a mathematician of note; Prof. DuBois, a graduate of Harvard and the foremost sociologist of the Negro race; Paul Law rence Dunbar, the poet; Prof. Scar borough, of Wi!berforc3, quite eminent as a Crreek scholar and author: Prof. Hoffman, of Orangeburg: S. C. : Drs. Bowen and Crogmao. of Atlanta Uni versity, noted for their scholarship, and Bishop Tanner, of Philadelphia. A 11 of these men nre scholars and easilv meas ure up to the higher standards. The Freeman. "We are anxious to see the day when the male population will crowd ou Sundays to the churches as they did twenty years ago when they would 6ing "Tho old time religion, it is good 'jno'igb. for me. " There are thousands of good men that have strayed away from the church because of ministerial efforts to check evil with the ballot. Of laie the rule is that the ministers are lodking after the interest of tha church and is leaving politics alone. Southern Age. We would walk five miles rather than ride in a street car in which we nre compelled to take a back seat. We would never see a show or play, never mind how meritorious, if we are com pelled to occupy a seat in tho peanut gallery, in fact, we would not go to any placo where wo are not wanted. If our people would adopt this rule it would not be long before wo would bo invited to visit many places which now know us not. llecorder. Wherever a Negro lives, if he lives at all, it has to bo among Negroes, and when he dies we are sure Negroes have to bury him. When you ask him to support n Negro enterprise he begins finding fault with Negroes; they are the ones that aro always thinking hard about the white folks, insulting them. Why? Because they haven't energy enough about them to be their own and their children's employers. The Chattanooga Blade. The man who continually speaks evil of another hurts himself more than the one whom he aims to injure. One's in fluence should be used for good and when it is not the people will soon see what it is that gives rise to unholy pur poses and will immediately turn a deaf ear to the calumniator and habitual faulfinder. The Christian Index. There are in round numbers in Amer ica about 10,000,000 Negroes and of these about 8,000,000 reside in the South, where they and their fore-parents have constituted nine-tenths of the labor to make it what it is the garden spot of the world to all races save tho black race. Southern Age. The white man who closes every avenue of improvement against the Negro and then abuses him for not im proving, is as unreasonable as the tyrant who punished the Jews for not making hay out of Ftraw, and without the straw. The Standard. What the Negro needs is more work and less politics. Give the Negro work, and he can clothe himself and family. Give him politics, and he is fed princi pally on promises.--Springfield (111.) Capital. A clean record can stand inspection and it becomes a tower of strength to any people. The wise course for us is to have such a record and thus fortify ourselves against an evil day. Virginia Baptist. i ' If Negroes -would stop fighting each ojber arid fight the devil more and harder, other races of the world, would have more respect for them. Baptist Safeguard, The Negroes are gradually getting into the factories of the South. The time is not far distant when they will be in large numbers. The New South. A man that works all week and gets his pay on Saturday night and goes to the saloons and spends it. for beer and rum, hasn't good sense. TJIK FIFTY-FIFTH CU.NCilCr.5S. Proceedings of Both tho Senate and House Day Dy Day. THE SENATE. First Dat. At noon, ontheGth, the first regular session of the Fifty-fifth Congress was launched upon an un known sea of legislation. In the Sen ate little business, beyond the proceed ings of the President's message, was transacted. The representative mem bers were particularly well remembered with floral presents. Mr. Butler, of North Carolina, received a horse-shoe of roses. The message was ordered printed for the use of the members. Seventy-seven Senators answered to the roll call. Second Day. Senator Money, of Mississippi, was sworn in. One hun dred and eight bills, many of which were private pension measures, were introduced in addition to sevcial joint resolutions and some Scnie resolu tions. Mr. Tillman presented a reso lution which was adopted, fixing Tues day, January 18, at 2 p. m., as a time for memorial services for the late Joseph S. Farl, a Senator from South Carolina. TniRD Dat. Senator Allen.ropulist, of Nebraska, introduced a resolution recognizing the independence of Cuba. In a speech advocating his resolution he says it reflects American sentiment, and bitterly altacks McKinley for sell ing the interest of humauity to the own ers of Spanish bonds. Allen's resolu tion has been referred to the committeo for foreign relations where it will die. The Hawaiian annexation treaty was discussed in an informal manner by the Senate foreign relations committee but no action was taken. FovitTH Dat. In the Senate Senator Gallinger, chairman of the committee on pensions, called attention to tho in creasing demand for. private pension legislation aud requestedSenators tobe careful in the futuro to seo that their bills for privato pensions were merito rious before they wero introduced. Forty-five were passed, though. Sen ator Hoar presented a petition signed by 21,200 natives of Hawaii, protesting against the annexation of those islamfe to the United States. A bill was passed to pay the Richmond Locomotive Works its claim for damages in losses incurred in the construction of the battleship Texas. There was considerable other business transacted, but of very little importance. The Senate adjourned un til Monday. THE HOUSE. FinsT Day. Sneaksr Iteed called the House to order at noon. No unusual incident marko.l the'oiening of tho House. The gavel with which the Speaker called tho House to order was presented to him by J. S. Grouer, sheriff of Knox county. Tcnn. . who sent it in the name of tbe "stalwart Repub licans of East Tennessee." The gavel is made of applo tree wood, which grew beside the log house in which Farragut was born. This house stood at Lowe's ferry, on the Tennessee river, six miles below Knoxville. The roll call showed the presence of 301 members. James Norto.:. (Dem ,) of tho Seventh South Carolina district, who succeeded John L. McLaurin, was sworn in. Secoxp Day. The session of the House, ihougL it lasted but two hours, witnessed a very lively skirmish over the question of distributing the Presi dent's message to the various commit tees clothed with jurisdiction over the subjects dealt with. The conflict of au thority came between the wavs and means committee and the banking and currency committee. Mr. Bland, Dem ocrat, of Missouri, averred that it was well understood that nothing would be done with the currency problem, and Mr. Bodine, Democrat, of Mis souri, alleged that the civil scr vice law was a humbug which the est and South opposed. During the progress of tho debate ir Xf II 1 TT m jiessrs. vtaiicerana .lonnron una con sulted with Mr. Dingley, andamodifi cation of tho resolution of distribution was agreed upon. It struck out the words "tho national finances, the pub lic debt, the preservation of the gov ernment credit," and gave the ways and means committee jurisdiction over all matters in the message relating to the revenue, tho bonded debt of the United States and to the treaties of tho United States affecting tho revenue." When this amendment was presented the opposition withdrew and theresolu tion was adopted without division. ThirdDay The session of tho House lasted only 13 minutes. Mr. W. A. Stone, Republican, of Pennsylva nia, reported the pension appropria tion bill, tho first of the appropriation bills, and gave notice that ho would call it up immediately after the reading of the journal. The committee on elec tions and tho committee on banking and currency wero given leave to sit during the session of the House. Fourth Day. The House entered upon the consideration of the pension appropriation bills and stirred up a debate that promises to continue for several days. Several of the Southern Democrats offered criticisms of arious classes of pensioners and Private John Allen, of Mississippi, who led the as sault in a speech replete with his char acteristic humor, offered a series of amendments, as he said, to correct some of the most glaring evils. The Northern Democrats, however, vied with the Republican's in their professions of friendship for the soldiers and one of them, Mr. Norton, of Ohio, declared that the Republicans could not make the bill too large for him. Fifth DATThe House passed the pen sion appropriation bill without amend ment, and adjourned until Monday. The amendments offered by the Demo crats to correct alleged existing alu were all ruled out on the point of order that they were new legislation. As passed the bill carried $141,2G3,8S0. The debate on this bill brought out an interesting statement from Mr. Dingley about the estimated receipts of his new tarm, on which he figures out a surplus of $10,000,000 for next year. A Soldier's Heine to De Sold. The Confederate Soldiers' Home, ct Atlanta, Ga., to the construction of which that city and its people contrib uted many thousands of dollars, is to be sold at public auction. It was offered to the State on certain conditions, which the Legislature declined to ac cept. Since then tbe property, although very Valuable and in good condition, has been allowed to lie vacant, until now the trustees aro forced to put it to the block. These commissioners have all given np hope of ever accomplishing anything in preparing the homa for old vereransr NO. 41. FIFTY HUB n i 111. Dealers In Commercial Fertilizers Must Pay the "Purchase Tax' C0WLES TO BE BANK EXAMINER The Kc-Intcrnicnt of tho Itcmninsof Gen..CUngman Strange Story Front Davle- Other N. C. Iluppcnings. The Charlotte Observer says: "Un doubtedly the greatest day that Char lotte oyer saw, not excepting tho day of the centennial celebration in 187. will be the 20th of May, lS'JS, when lho monument to the signers of tho J'fxk lenburg Declaration of Independence will be unveiled. Of courso tho very best possiMo programuio of exercises will be provided aud of courfo this programme must includo an origi nal poem prepared for the occasion. For the best poem forsuch occasion tho Observer will give tho sum of $j0. Wo have the consent of tho management to do this aud the assurance that a place will be made on the programuio for this poem. Tho competition is entirely open; thero are no renlrictions ns to State or other lines. All tbe poems ro ceived will be placed in tho hands of n competent committee, to bo announced hcrenfter, aud its decision will bo linn!. The poem must not exceed ton stanzas in length aud it is preferred that tho stanzaa should bo of four linen each, though this is not arbitrary; thev may havo six lines but not more.' Tho manuscript rejected will bo returned to their authors. The committeo will not know whoso work they aro judging hence, the name of tho w riter must not appear on the manuscript of any of tho poems." Dealers in commercial fertilizers must pay what is known as the "mer chants' purchase tax" thereon. Ho tho Attorney General decides. John F. I room. a dealer, at Magnolia, wroto the Agricultural Department that tho commissioners of Duplin wero attempt ing to make him pay tax on his pur chases, etc., of fertilizers. Ho con tends that this is illegal; that tho ton nage tax is in lieu of all other taxoa. The Commissioner of Agriculture did cot give an opinion, but referred the whole matter to Treasurer Worth, but sent the latter section 220 of Tho Code, which says that whenever any man ufacturer of fertilizers or fertilizer ma terials shall have paid the tonnage tax on fertilizers his goods shall not bo liable to taxes by auy city, town or county. Tho Attorney Glaci al decides that under section 22 of th icvenno not of 1307 dealers in fertilizers nro liablo to tho purchase tax, just as other mer chants are. The Stato Treasurer doo.i not take this view. No doubt Crooin will make up a test case for tho Su preme Com t to pass upon. It in quite nn interesting matter, as tho enlcs this year aro over 1,000,000. The Salisbury correspondent of tho Charlotte Observer says: "A ntraugo but true story is told of a certain Davie county postmaster. Recently a lady was expecting a letter informing her of the condition of a relative who w as very 111. Aiier waning several weeks for the letter, ho weiit to tho postoilico aud asked the official to go over his mail carefully for her. Ho did so, but found nb letter. The lady then took matters into her own hands, as she knew the lostmastcr was ignorantand incllicient, and searched tho olfico. Sho finally found the letter put away in an out-of-the-way corner. Jt had a black border and announced tho death of the rela tive. The postmaster'r. exemo was: That thing came a month ago, but I was goiu to send it to tho dead letter office because it was black and I thought there was something wrong with it" A Washington special to tho Char lotte Observer says: "As anticipated, Senator Pritchard recommends tho ap pointment of E. C. Duncan for collector in the Eastern District. AU attempts to placate Cobb failed, and he left here in an ugly humor. Mr. White, chair mau of the Populist district committee, said that Duncan's appointment under all the circumstances was a fatal nnd indefensible mistake and made further co-operation between tho Populists ami Republicans in the First district almost impossible. Col. Skinner, he Kaid, is now out of tho race for Congress next year. The bank examinership ofiered to Cobb will bo given to W. D. Cowles, of Charlotte. At Ashoville last week tho reinter ment of the remains of Gen. Thomas L. Clingman took place. In the largo pro cession was a regiment of ('oufederato veterans, two compauics of tho Stato ftsard, a company of sons of veterans, the Bingham school cadets, State, county and city official, Colonel A. T. Davidson spoke of hb firiend, Gen. Clingman, of whom ho was a contem porary; Colonel Luek on behalf of the bar and Colonel W. H. S. Burgwyn for the military. The interment was iu Riverside cemetery. Members ct Gtn: oral Clingman's old brigade acted as a special escort to the remains. Tho news Jbat John C. Davis, the Wilmington embezzler, is to be dis charged from the insane asylum at Ral eigh is interesting. There are people who do not believe and never havo be lieved that Davis was insane. Wil mington Messenger. The Elkin Journal pays thero have been more than thirty murders in Sur ry county since tbe war and not one legal execution. Thero has been one lynching. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction is urging ell the county supervisors to attend the convention in Raleigh, December 130th. Ho is as signing topics to several ot theic Tho principal topic is what may be done by combining the smaller and weaker school districts with larger and stronger ones in tho townships. The rewards for Ohborne Lambert, the assassin of Engineer Bumgardncr, of the Southern Railway, now aggro gate no lets than $1,100. .i : , 1 .. a 1. .'i s V 1 It i i, V 1 i ' 1i 1 ! V
The Gazette [1891-1898] (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 18, 1897, edition 1
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