University of South Carolina Libraries
S?MTS? WATCHMAN, Established April, 1850* "Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's." THE T??IS SOUTHRON, Established jane. 12*9 Sew Series-Vol. XVII. So. .16 l>ar. <3k Os?een, SUMTER, S. C. ?aas : $ 1.50 per annum-ic advance. A D7 B RT I 3 I Mf XT : On* Square first insertion....?,._$1 00 Beery subsequent insertion_ 50 Con tracts for three months, or longer wil be made at reduced rates. All communications which stthserre private ?eterests will becbareed far as ad reniements. Obituaries and tributes of respecta witt be eb*rjied for. The Senate Does Not Ac? quiesce io McKinley's Policy. The Sentiment of the Amer? ican People Reflected in " Congress. Washington, March 29.-Interest in the Cuban situation-the interest m|gbt almost be termed excitement, 80 intense was it-reached a climax in tbe proceedings of the senate to? day As on previous days of dis? cussion of the Caban question, thou? sands of people Socked .to tbe capi? tol, only a few of whom, compara? tively, could gain admission to tbe galleries* Within five minutes after the sen? ate convened Mr. Allen of Nebraska introduced a resole tion recognizing toe independence of tbe Cuban re? public. This was followed by a res? olution proposed by Mr: Rawlins of Utah dec?an tig war against the king? dom of Spain. Mr. Foraker of Ohio thea introduced a resolution declar? ing preach intervention in the Cu? ban war aa would bring about the in? dependence of the Cubans Following this came a resolution by Mr. Frye of Marne demanding that Cuba be made free. Tbe resolutions followed one an? other BO rapidly as almost to stun the auditors, both senators and specta? tors This was the condition when the Vice President recognized Mr Ma eon of Illinois, for his announced upeech on the President's message, transmitting to congress the findings of the Main ercourt of inquiry Mr. Mason read his speech from manu? script, but it was delivered with all the vigor and fire of which be is capable. The intensity of the feel? ing of those in the galleries was elicited by his declaration that he was for war. Vice President Hobart had di?5 eclty in suppressing the demonstra? tion. After Mr. Mason's speecb"the sen? ate passed 74 private pension bills and followed this order with eulogies J ort the late Senator Earle of Sooth Carolina, one of the most remarkable of which was pronounced by Mr Till? man, a long time political opponent of General Earle Mr Morrill of Vermont, from the finance committee, reported* a joint resolution providing for the importa? tion, free of duty, of military sup? plies secured abroad into the United States and asked for its immediate consideration. It was passed The resolution of Mr. Rawlins is as follows : Whereas, the war waged by the kingdom of Spain against the people of Cuba bas destroyed the commerce* between them and toe peopie of the United States and its revival wi!) be impossible so long as such war may continue, and, Whereas, by the authority of that kingdom, in the course of such war much American property has been de? stroyed and many American citizens without jost cause, have been im prisoned and some assassinated in their prison cells ; and, Whereas, while our ship Maine was at anchor in the harbor of Habana, within the dominion and under con trol of the kingdom of Spain at a place designated by her authority ; that ship and most of the men on board, m the service of their coun? try, by the explosion of a submarine mine were wilfully, wickedly and treacherously mangled and destroyed; and, Whereas the kingdom of Spain has proven herself incompetent to tran quilize the island of Cuba either by tbe methods of peace or by means of civilized warfare ; sud, accordingly has proceeded to make desolate the homes of its peaceful inhabitants, driving men, women 8cd children into guarded camps, detaining them there without making provision to shelter, clothe or feed them, thus wilfully causing their extermination to the number of hundreds of thou? sands-by the slow and tortuous pro cees8 of starvation ; and Whereas, against these wrongs, against these revolting acts of inhu? manity this government has time and j again made peaceful protest to the kingdom of Spain, at the same time endeavoring by a helpful charity to relieve those whom she has brought to such dire distress, and our repeat? ed protests haviug been disregarded and ocr efforts of philanthropy hav ing proved unavailing and Whereas, firmly convinced that fur? ther peaceful protest will prove equal ly io vain and that the recognition of the independence of the republic of Cuba and armed interventions in its behalf by this government will alone be effective for the redress for the past and the prevention of future wrongs, and , Whereas,, while regretting the ne? cessity-now imperious-for such action, bot mindfnl of oar duty to a neighboring people and to humanity and with a consciousness as to the justness of our cause and that our ac tion will meet with the approving judgment of all civilized peoples, now, therefore, be it . Kesolved, By, the senate and the boose of representatives of the United States of America in congress assem? bled, that the independence of the republic of Coba be, and the same is hereby recognized, and that war against the kingdom of Spain be and the same is hereby declared, and the President is hereby authorized and directed to employ the land and naval forces of the United States of Amer i ca to wage such war to success Congress Will. Not be Con? trolled by McKinley and . Seed. If McKinley Doesn't Act Promptly the House Will Take the Heins in Its Hands. Washington, Marok 29.-Tile re? vel: io the hocr.e agaiost farther delay of action on the Coban issue culmi? nated to-day io a oonferenoe of Repub? lican members whose ideas are in ac? cordance with a positive early conree About 60 * representatives attended, representing ail sections. Representa? tive Hopsios of [Dinois, a member of the ways and means .committee, pre? med Representative Joy of Missouri was secretary. Tbe meeting was called to take bteps to secare immediate in? tervention in some form and tbe recog? nition of, Coban independence. It was the first definite steps following dis? cussions in the cloak rooms and lob? bies since the President's message was submitted yesterday, by many mem bera who favor immediate and aggres? ive action. Up to this afternoon the sentiment was half concealed, bat strong feeling* against voting money for Cuban relief coie?s accompanied by action to stop the war. The meet? ing to-day waa called wirb a view to accomplishing tba unqualified removal of the Spanisn troops from Cuba a?;d the prompt armed intervention ia the affairs of that island. Her Tale of Woe. The Queen of Spain Appeals to Several Sovereigns. London. March 31.-The Vienna correspondent of the Standard says : The Queen regent of Spaio, I learn, wrote personally laet week to Emperor Frankies Joseph and other sovereigns, including Emperor Nicholas, request? ing not precisely intervention, but the exercise of such influence at Washing? ton as might caucacc to a peaceful set? tlement, without injury to Spain's dig? nity and vital interests *'I am ia a" dif??eult position,/' she wrote, "having to act as the guardian of the dynasty, which ? mast not /x pose to any danger, nod at the same time as the defender cf the rights honor and'tnterests of Spain To sur? render Cuba in any form would unques? tionably injure the dynasty under which it occured ; whereas to fi'ht for it would keep those interests inti ct, to? gether with my country's honor. Bu? the disadvantages Spaiu would have to ??bi coder are obvious; and a pcaoeiul >o!ution woold best serve ever; pur? pose." ? Ml? ?<! -? I A special to the News and Courier fro'n Orangeburg, S. C., says : On !a&t Scnday night, on the place of Mr. S E. Owen, in Oraogcburg County, four negro children were burred to death. The houss was occupied by Quilla Evans, and it seem? that tfce chiidren wore left in the house a?oee. The children who were burned were three of them cf Quilla Evaoe and the other Lawrence Kennerly, a 13 year old son of Quilla's father. Secretary Bliss informed Gocgrese that-Msce 1890 the number of names on the pension rolls had nearly doubled, and that payments on account of pen? sions were likely to increase for pome time to ooma. The value of the roll is now approximately $132,000,000. Ultimatum of the United Slates to Spain. _ THIS WEEK WILL SHAPE THE POLICY OF THE * FUTURE, v Whether ft be One of Peace or One of War. Washington, March 30.-The vital point in the Coban situation-viz , independence-has shifted itself from Washington to Madrid, where the Spanish government is now giving grave arid earnest consideration to propositions presented by the gov? ernment of the United States On the answer to the propositions probably depends the future course of the rela? tion between Spain and this.country. It believed that it is now but a ques? tion of an exceedingly short time be fore the inevitable crisis most come. The Spanish ministry will hold a cab? inet council' tomorrow, after the propositions have been submitted to the queen regent, a )d as a result of that conference il is expected by the administration that a definite answer to its proposals will be re? ceived The propositions submitted by this country contemplate a complete and immediate cessation of hostilities in Cuba, the retain of ' he reconcentra? dos to their usual avocations, and the independence of Cuba, this last feature to be secured probably on au indemnity basis by which the island would pay & substantial sum for its freedom from Spanish rule. These propositions take a wide scope, and there are many details in the alternative propositions, the pur pose being to present every possible plan promising a solution of the Cu ban problem so long is an end of the Cuban war und Cnban independence were embodied in the ultimate result. It has been made perfectly clear to Spain that nothing less than the close of the war *nd the independence of the island will s office ss an adequate settlement. IT REMAINS WITH SPAIN It is now for Spain to accept or re? ject these tenders There is no dis position to urge one rather than an other, so long as the conclusion final ry reached brings the termination of the war and Cuban independence. Never before until now has the Span? ish government, even for a moment, entertained such propositions. Now, in the stress of the present emer? gency, with declarations of war in? troduced in the American Congress, Spain has reluctantly consented to consider them. This in itself has given lively hope of satisfactory re? sults But it iuvo?v?8 a grave crisis in Spain, and it cannot be foretold what the fir.al action at Madrid will be. Until to day i t was believed that Spain would indignantly reject a proposition involving the inde pendence of Cuba, or American in? tervention, dr the c ?sapp?arance of the Spaish flag from I he island, either through purchase by Cubans or other wise. SPAIN IN YIELDING MOOD There was the best of reason for the official belief that as between peace and war on these propositions Spain would choose war, but more hope apparently is entertained here of Spain being in a yielding mood as the American plans for solution are being carefully weighed with a view to a final decision As stated, that answer is believed to be only a ques? tion of perhaps two :>r three days. When it is received, the future course of this government will be determined, lt is the view of the administration that tbe present week will shape the policy of the future, whether it is to be one of peace or one of war. Many representative men of Con? gress, Senators and representatives, called at the white he use to day and conferred with the President. To the leaders in Congress he stated that definite results were expected from Madrid by Friday. This served to allay tho intense feeling which had been manifested in Congress and through the influence of the leaders further radical action by the Senate and House was for the time being de ferred. At the capitol excitement was una bated. After the vote on the Bailey resolution many Republicans went to the White House to confer with the President and to express to him their hope that something might be promised which would relieve the strained situation. The assurances j of the President was given to these members that by Friday night at the I latest something definite could be expected WAITING EXPECTANCY. The situation at the zapito! is ono of waiting expectancy Senators and Representatives are willing to give the President to opportuni ty to carry out bis plans, but there in impatience to have some information regarding those plans and some assurances r.hat they wili not delay action too long. It was ?tated to-d8y io a high diplo? matic quarter that the Spanish govern? ment within the last ten days bad ad? dressed a note to the great powers of Europe, folly setting forth tbe grave aspect of tbe controversy with the United States and at least inferentially suggesting that the time was now op? portune for European influences to be exerted. It is said that this note led to the utterances of Premier Hanotaox in the French chamber last Sunday, and has been tbs canse of activity at European capitals within tbe last few days in connection with Spanish American affairs. Up to the cresent time, however, no actual step toward coediatioD or ioterveotioo bas been taken by any of tire great powers, al? though there is little doubt that France stands ready to take the initiative if there is tbe slightest evideoce that the United States government will view snob a move with favor. LAST RESORT OF DIPLOMACY. A tender of good offices is one of the last resorts of diplomacy, when all oth? er means of averting war seem to be at an end. There is additional difficulty (rom the fact that when two nations are involved in a crisis any external influence may be resented as an intru? sion There is reason to believe that the French authorities aro folly con? scious of these delicate . and difficult phases, and that no step will be made unless it is dearly apparent tn advance that the United States desires the friendly offices of other nations. The Spanish government bas earnest-, ly hoped within the last week that some of the European powers, aod more likely Austria or Fraocc, would take the initiative, without waiting to consult the desires of this government. This hope has proved vain, however, and it is stated to-day on high authority that recent negotiations in Europe have diseased positively that while the sym? pathy of some cf the continental pow? ers wa3 toward Spain, no one of them stood ready to espouse ber oause, by mediation or by arms. The greatest secrecy prevails tn many of the bureaus of the war and navy departments in regard to the vari? ous projects of defense and naval movements now going on, aod the of? ficials in many cases positively refuse to make public steps that have been determined upon. The most notable instance of this kind probably ia in the navy depart? ment, where Captain Crowninshieid of thc bureau of navigation has issued an order forbidding subordinates to make pub'io any information except on per? mission from himself. - ? ? - Resolution Recognizing Cuban Independence Held Up in the House. Washington, March 30 -A wild and uproarious scene occurred in the House of Representatives to day when Mr. Bailey, the Democratic leader, attempted to force the hand of the Republicans upon a proposi? tion to overrule the Speaker and pass a resolution recognizing the inde? pendence of t^he Cuban Republic He was cheered on by tho crowded galleries, but the members of the ma? jority refused io support him They were rallied by two cf thc leading advocates of intervention, and the Speaker himself from the chair made an indirect appeal to his party as sociates to stand Arm, at the same time intimating that if their impa? tience was curbed a little longor they would have the opportunity they coveted. The scene throughout was n*ost dramatic, and the members and spectators in the galleries were wrought up to a high p?tch of ex citement. Mr. Bailey offered his resolution as a privileged question As soon as it was read, Mr. Boutelle made the point of order that it was not privileged, and upon that Mr. Bailey demanded to be heard. He called attention to the fact that in the Fifty-third Con? gress, when Mr. Crisp was Speaker, Mr. Boutelle, who now made the point of order that this resolution was not privileged, presented a resolution of a similar char? acter relating to Hawaii, which the Speaker held was privi? leged, but must go a committee. Against that latter ruling an appeal was taken, and the whole Republican side had voted against tabling the appeal When he said that at the head of the list of distinguished Re? publicans who voted on that question was the honorable Speaker of this House, the Democrats went into ; rapturous applause I Meantime the confusion was great. Th'j Republican leaders were evident , ly rallying their forces I Mr Hull, chairman of the commit- j tee on military affairs, who was one j of the prime movers in the movement for prompt and vigorous action on the Republican side, came forward with t a strong appeal to Republicans not c to be carried off their feet. At the 6 outset, he acknowledged that hie sympathies were with the resolution (which it transpired afterward he be? lieved at that time contained a decla? ration of war), but he argued that it did not present a question of higher privilege than tbe consideration of an appropriation bill. We could have war, said he, whenever we wanted it. A resolution declaring war was privileged, he admitted. Mr. Terry, Democrat of Arkansas, argued that a question involving a matter of privilege was in f_ct one for the House to decide. Amid profound silence the Speaker made his ruling. He spoke in delib crate, distinct and emphatic tones, and decided that the resolution was not privileged, giving at great length his reasons for so ruling. Mr. Bailey immediately appealed from the decision of the chair In putting the question on the ap? peal, Speaker Reed made the follow? ing significant and impressive state? ment : "As far as a question arising out of this matter is concerned, the chair has not the slightest doubt that the wisdom of the House, which has al? ways been able to arrive at import? ant questions in a suitable way, will get at them now." (Applause on the Republican side.) The division was eagerly awaited. The Republicans rose en ma6se when the speaker called for the yeas. The Democrats, who anxiously surveyed the solid phalanx for a sign of a break, were disappointed. The di? vision resulted : 179 yeas to 139 nays -i ??> ll ? a Feeling Prevalent That Peace is Assured. 9 Havana, via Key West, Msroh 30. -Sunday and Monday were days of decided anxiety in the political and business circles of Havana; bat yester? day and to-day chere bas been a much more quiet feeling. Without being able to give any good reason for their belief, many prominent men seem satis? fied that peace is sssured. The word "armistice" is repeated from lip to lip as if there were some magic within it to solve the whole problem of Cuban otrife. Those, however, who known General Maximo Gomez, General Calixto Gar? cia, Senor Bortolomeo Masso and the other insurgent leaders best, say that all reckon without their host who be? lieve these men will agree to an armis? tice, even if asked to do so by the United State?, unless it is plainly un? derstood that the truce is to be fol? lowed by a recognition of "Cuba Libre " It is argued that General Gomes, af? ter holding cat all through the dry sea? son, will decline to agree to a truce dur? ing the rainy mouths, io which the in? surgents would have the advantage. On ali sides it is regarded as almost certain that if war does come it will not come until all possible plan: f accom medaling difficulties fail. EXCUSE FOR A BACKDOWN. A Spaniard of high influence, while talking recently with Consol General Lee. said : "Thc Sagasta ministry wili not be compelled to fight to insure self-proteo tioc. Sagasta could quiet Spain by proclaiming: 'We have made Cuba an ash pile, a ?ese.'t. It is oo longer worth any outlay of blood or treasure. It is only fit for negroes and mixed bloods. Let it go ' " But very few take such a view of the situation, although ignorant Spaniards might be deceived by such a declara? tion. Meanwhile, it seems as if the Spanish military and naval powers are either convinced that there is no danger of active hostilitie'a or are utterly carders of tbe grave consequences that the fu? ture may hold. There are no visible preparations to provision Havana io case cf a blook- ; ade. cor ia there any notable increase in thc coal supply for naval uses. In the opii/iori of Americans, hero one of the gravest dangers lies in the fact that the ignorant ^classes of the city are not io any way advised as to che chances of war or oi^ge. They believe Havana impregnable and the fleet of Spain all conqaerin<r If rudely awakened to other views, they might become dan? gerous and foster internal disorders. GEN LEE SERENE. General Lee continues as cheerful as susiigh?. despite the fact that bo was warned last Sunday aod Monday of five distinct plots against his life. Of course he does not give credence to such etorien. and he is carefully guard? ed by the government; but continued warning* of this kind are not a pleasant menta! diet. The iast story was that be would ho poisoned by & bribed em? ploye of his hotel. To tbis General Lee replied by asking tho newspaper jorrcspoodents who sit near him at meal :ime, in case he is suddenly taken ill, ?ret to shoot hi? waiter aod then run 'or a stomach pump. We have bright, honorable mercbacts ia bis town, and they give the public w_at it lemaads They never offer as a eabstitote lometbiog "just as good." TRIBUTE TO SENATOR EARLE. Senators McLaurin and Till? man ProDonnce High Eu? logy on the Distinguish? ed Carolinian. Washington, March 29.- The Sen? ate paused tn day. io the midst of a whirlwind of war talk, to pay tribute to. the memory of the late Senator Earle, of South Carolina. Consider? ing his short term of service in the Senate he was greatly beloved by bis associates, and the eulogies passed upon him to-day by leading Senators were of an unusually high order. Senator McLaurin, the successor of Judge Earle, was appropriately chosen to open the debate. It is sel? dom that the Senate has listened te a more beautiful and fitting testimonial to a departed Senator than that which the junior Senator from South Caro lina paid Judge Earle. Senator Mc Laurin's personal and political friend? ship for the dead Senator enabled him to judge the deceased at short range, and in the opening speech he sounded the keynote for nearly all the remarks which followed. Senators Chandler of New Hamp? shire, Clay of Georgia, Spooner of Wisconsin, Chilton of Texas, Cannon of Utah, Kenney of Delaware and McEnery of Louisana addressed the Senate in the order named. Senator Tillmau closed the pro? ceedings with a plain, straightfor? ward story of the political career of Judge Earle. Senator Tillman de? parted somewhat from the nsnal eu? logistic course and directed his re? marks almost exclusively to the polit? ical history surrounding Judge Earle's life in the Palmetto State. Senator Tillman prepared his hearers for his rather extraordinary procedure by stating, in his opening sentences, that he was not personally friendly to the dead Senator, as they had been antagonists in State politics He then preceeded to review the politi? cal history of South Carolina, with a dash here and there of some of his characteristic tartness of expression, which jarred upon the solemnity of the ceremonies He said he would be censured for 6uch a radical depart? ure from the beaten track on such oc? casions, but he wanted to dc full jus? tice to the memory of Judge Earle, to demonstrate that he was a faithful and devoted public servant There was not a tinge of venom or disre? spect in Senator Tillman's remark? ably enlogy upon his dead colleague, and he impressed the Senate that he was earnest in his admiration of the manly, dignified and able qualities which finally enabled the subject of his eulogy to .?nd his life in the United States hecate -News and Courier. Another Warning. The "war scare'*'fhoald have more interest to the Southern farmers than to any other class of people in the United States If war comes, higher prices for oro, meal, flour, ba^on and all feed stuffs will come with it. The Southern farmer who doe-*, sot produce enough for himself, his family and his stock to eat will suffer. There's no dcubt about it. Our formers have been warned in time If they do net raise wheat, oats, corn, barley, vegetables, hogs, and cattle in abuudaoce luis vear they will bave only themselves to blame. ls it not rime for the disappearance of t,bat peculiar phase of constitutional ignorance-so frequently encountered in public places of la*e-which de riGUCoes not o ri ly ihe non-arrival of war, bat thc President because hs has not declared war. Those persons who do not koo^ fha* Congress alone is vested with power to declare war have no right to disccss thc Cuban question from any point cf view. They should pass their leisure moments in perusing the fundamental law of their country. -The New York Mail apd Express. Royal inches the food pure, w bc I esc LC s cad ?elic'fj'zs. WOVAt e<MCI?0 POWDER CO., MEW VQ3K.