Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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ESS ADJOURNS. A CHAOTIC ALL HIGHT SES SION PBB EDBD THIS END. Washington, March 4 -The fifty fifth congress came to aa end at o ooo, afier a chaotic ail night session. Wheo ay broke tired, haggard faces vere sean io both houses. Few members had bsd any sleep, at ten o'clock to-day the president weet to the capitol and saw (be last of the house's legislative session throngh. The preses* boase bas passed 1,635 bille and resole lions against 1,200 for the fifty-fourth, 951 for the fifty-third, and 892 for the fifty-second . ^Fifty-Fifth ^ Congress Out does Famous F fty- irst DEMOCRATIC VIEW OP THE EXTRAVAGANCE. Washington, March 5 -The offi dal statement of Representative John Q. Cannon, of Illinois, the -chairman of the boase appropriations committee, summing np the appro priations of .the Fifty fifth congress, shows a aggregate appropriation bj the entire congress of $1,566,890, 016, and, for the session jusi; closed, a total of $673,658,400, with author sty for contracts for future appropria t ons amounting to $70,000,000. Chairman Cannon's statement in foil follows : "The appropriations made at the session of congress jost closed, amount approximately to $673,658, ' 400, and shows an apparent reduc tion of $219.573,v J under the ap propriation? made at the preceding session This ja attributable to the large expenses occasioned by the war with Spain that were provided for daring the preceding session "The entire appropriations made by the Fifty-fifth congress aggregate $1,566,890,016 28. Of this sum, $482.562,083 47 is 'directly, chargea ble to oar late war with Spain or incident thereto. Redacting this charge from the whole amount of the appropriations the remainder,. $ 084, 327,632 81 represents the ordinary or norms! appropriations made by the Fifty fifth congress. "The appropriations made by tbe preceding congress, the Fifty fourth, amount to $1^044,580,273 87. A comparison shows an increase in ordinary appropriations made by this congress over those made by that congress, the Fifty foartb. of $39, 747,000 ; bot this apparent increase is more than accounted for by in creases under eight items alone, namely, for pensions $4,000,000 ; for the postal service $16,000.000 ; for rivers and harbors, including work auder contracts previously author ized, $3.600,000 ; for new ships for, tbe navy $6,000,000 ; for beginning the v: & of the twelfth censos $1, 000,000 : for the Paris exposition $1,200,000 for new public build ings, including the building for the department of justice, and for the sit and partis1 construction of tbe new government printing office, about $5,000,000 ; and for payment of judgments rendered against the government on account of French spoliations, and coder %he Bowman act, $3,100,000- These very natural and necessary increases in public expenditures, on account of tbe pension list, the growth of the postal service in response to tbe demands of commerce, the improvement of the great waterways of the country and for increases of the navy, the construction of needed buildings to accommodate the government service ia the cities of tbe country, taking of the censas, the participation of the nation in the great exposition to be held at Paris next year, and the pay ment of the French spoliation judg .meets and Bowman act cases, so long considered by and pressed upon congress, aggregating $39,900,000 more than dissipating tbe entire , apparent increase m the ordinary appropriations by (his congress over those by the Fifty fourth congress "In addition to the iirect appro priations made at this session, con , tracts were authorized, subject to future appropriations to be made by congress, amounting io about $70, 000 000. Of Ibis amount $44.000,- - 000 is for ships for the navy, $22, 500,000 is for work on rivers and aarbors, sd something over $3,000,- : 000 is for public buildings. The . Contract system is of necessity ap ( plied to the construction of new war ships, which require periods of years for construction In the case of river j and harbor improvements and the authorization of public buildings, ex perience baa shown that the author- j ization of contracts tends materially 'to expedite and cheapen the same." Mr Dockery of Missouri, the rank ing Democratic member of the house appropriations committee, made the following statement giving the Dem ocratic view : "This congress easily surpasses all its predecessors in the i stupendous aggregate of its appro ; pristi os It was thought that the ; 51st congress, comm ors iv known as the 'billion dollar congress/ had-in point of extravagance of appropria ] tiona-touched a limit which would I not be reached, or, at least, surpass- j ed, by soy of its successors. i ' This congress, however, bas far ) exceeded the appalling total of appro priations then made, and it will be remembered that the 'billion dollar congress' W88 followed by over whelming disaster to the Republican party at the ensuing election. "Confronted with a war with Spain requiring the imposition of additional taxation, it is obvious that rigid economy should have been applied in all other directions to the expenditure of public money. The people were willing to meet all the demands upon the national treasury made necessary by the Spanish war, but it is fair to presume that they expected their representatives, in view of the cheerful disposition manifested to meet these added burdens, to limit the ordinary appro priations to the necessities of a wise and economical administration. "These expectations have not been realized "The result ie an actual deficiency in current revenues amounting, on the first of this month, to $99,109. 554 50 This deficiency, as shown by a recent conservative estimate by Chairman Cannon of the appropria tion committee, will probably reach $150,000,000 OD the 3dtb of Juue, next "It is impossible to estimate with absolute accuracy the treasury deficiency for the coming fiscal year Tbe secretary of the treasury, in bis annual report, made in December, last, estimated it at about 31,000.000; but it is now apparent that it wiil not be less than $100,000,000. It is almost certain, therefore, that the government wilt be compelled during the calendar year 1900 to face an actual treasury, deficiency. This $462 000,000 of income arising from the sale of bonds under this adminis tration and that of President Cleve land will then have been exhausted, and the treasury will pass from the condition pf a borrowed surplus to an actual deficit. Such a condition must be met, either by increased taxation or by the issue of treasury certifi cates, or by au additional bond issue "Notwithstanding this deplorable treasury situation, wbich has been called over and over again to the attention of congress and the conn try, appropriations have been made whicb in many cases have not been warranted by the interests of the public service, or which, if proper m themselves, should have been postponed until the national income should be ample to meet all its liabilities without the necessity of bond issues. "The appropriations of the origina! 'billion dollar congress' amounted to $1,035,680,109 94 The appropria tions of the congress jost ended reach tbe mighty aggregate of $1.566,890,016 28. It is fair to deduct from this total $482,562, 084 47, made necessary to meet the liabilities of the Spanish war. So if we deduct from the grand total the liabilities on account of the war with Spain it appears that the appropria tions for the ordinary expenses of the government are $1,084.327"932 81 The appropriation^ of the congress just ended to meet the ordinary governmental expenses exceed those of the preceding Fifty fourth congress by $39,747, 658.84 Not only this. but the contract liabilities authorized by the congress jost expired for new ships and their armament, public buildings, rivers and harbors, and miscellaneous items amount to $70,602,524. If, therefore, to the ordinary appropriations is added the liabilities on account of these au thorized contracts, we ascertain that the appropriations and contract liabilities amount to the tremendous total of $1,154,930,456 81 "These increased appropriations have gone for French spoliation claims, public buildings, rivers, harbors. Bowman acts claims, aod hundreds of other projects, some meritorious, but many of them not entitled io recognition by the national government In nearly every branch of the civil service of the govern ment there bas been an increase of appropriations. The time has come to reform the scale of national expenditures The reckless improvidence of the outgoing congress will at least serve the good purpose of arousing the people nd of causing them to' send representa tives to the national capital who Will reduce the burden imposed by riotous appropriations/' MERRIAM APPOINTED. Washington, Maroh 4-Wm.' P. Merriam of Minnesota was to-day nominated by the president to be director of the censos Tbe nomioation reached the senate shortly before noon, and was immediate ly ooo firmed. William R. Merriam was formerly governor of Minnesota. He was first sleeted in 1888 and agaio in 1890. Previous to this be had been speaker of the Minnesota house of representatives. Be was for many years president of the Merchants Natiooal back at St. Paul. He wai a delegate to the oatiooal con vention io 1896, and as a member of dbe oommittee on r solutions was active ia having the gold plank placed in tbe pUtform If you have not already sown your plant bed, this is fine weather to prepare for tobacco. Plenty of time yet to prepare your beds, io fact, many expe rienced planters say that it ia best to plant from the 1st to the 15th of Maroh. Powder Magazine Explodes. Ail the Soldiers on Duty Killed-French Disaster. Toolon, March 5.-The naval powder magazine of La Goabrahao, between La Seyene and Toolon, io the depart ment of Var, 8onthern France, explod ed at half past 2 o'clock this morniog. AU of the magazine were killed, and a number of inhabitants of thc surround ing districts, the buildings in which were razed, also feli victims. Forty corpses have already been recovered. The cause of the explosion is not known. Fifty thousand kilogrammes of black powder exploded It looks as though a volcanic eruption had occurred, tbe country being swept almost bare within a radius of two miles, houses destroyed trees overturned and distorted, fields devastated aod covered with stones and impalable black dost. Some of tbe stones are enormous. Ooe weighing 50 kilogrammes fell in the suburb of Pose de Las. Signs of tbe explosion are evident in all tbe suburbs of Toulon and in the city itself. Even at Saint Jeao de Tar, five miles distant, windows were shatter ed and doors battered io. Later reports show that of the seven sentries four were killed outright and the others severely injured, the corporal being literally scalped aod the scalp overhang ing his face like a veil. A large number of soldiers are now employed in clearing away the debris, but the work is very difficult. it is impossible to ascertain accurately the number killed, but it is believed that no fewer than a hundred were in jured Although it was a clear night, the explosion was so terrific as to produce a slight rainfall. Fortunately the neighboricg maga zines escaped It is now believed that the explosion organized io chemical de composition in smokeless powder. There is no suggestion of foul play. To-day the whole city is io mourning, flags ace at half-mast, tbe theatres are draped and tbs casinos closed. Both the goveromeot and municipal authorities are forwarding relief funds. M. Lock roy, minister of maride, bas telegraphed 10,000 francs toward the maintenance of the families of the vic tims, sod a public subscription has been opened. Four of the iojored have succumbed to their injuries. It is believed that 15 are still buried io the debris. All the bodies found or recovered are terribly mangled Sixteen were found in the rocks near the shore, and it is feared that others were precipitated into the sea. A vebiole moviog along the road near the sea was lifted bodily into the water by the force of the explosion, two of its occupants being drowned. The scene at the tillage of La Goo bran was appalling The cries of the wounded were agonizing, aod the peo ple were almost frantic. Telegrams from Nice say the explos ion was distinctly felt there. The Clerk of Court recorded, oo Saturday last, a deed of Sam'! Hoot, Simon A Stern and John J. C Hier of the tracks, rollieg stock, etc., of the O. R. & C Railroad and its branches to the S. C aod Ga. Extension Rail road Co. The deed bad $650 worth of internai revenue stamps attached to it. -Lancaster Ledger. THE WIDE TIRE. There should be some effort made to improve the public roads in this State. The present system does not and never will amount to anything, and the legislature should make ao effort to improve it. Draft vehicles should be required by law to use wide tires This would in a measure prevent the roads from being cut up during the winter moDths when there is so much hauling done. The roads throughout Marion county are in a worse condition than they have been for years. This ie due to the large amount of rain that we have had and the hauling over them with narrow tires A wagon with narrow tires is a public nuisance, and there should be a law against the use of this kind of tire -Marion Star. A Present for Lieut. Blue. It is gratifying to be able to state that the sum of 100 has been raised by the citizens of Marion, for a testi monial to Lieut. Victor Blue. An ele gant design is being prepared by Messrs Tiffany & Co., of New York, and the testimonial will probably be in shape of a handsome loving cup, or a gold medal. Our citizens were invited to join with the members of tbe sooiety for Patriotic Award, io oontribotiog to wards a medal to be given by th** State ; but the sentiment of our people was un animously in favor of presenting Lieut. Blue with a separate expression of our admiration and esteem -Marion Star. Atlanta, Ga , March 6.-The city council of Atlanta to-night unanimous ly accepted tho offer of Andrew Carnegie to donate 100,000 for a free public library in this city and also agreed to appropriate $5.000 per annum for tbe maintenance of this library. A resolution was adopted expressing the thanks of the people of Atlanta to Mr. Carnegie for his munificence. ADMIRAL'S FLAG AT LAST AFLOAT. DEWEY HOISTS IT ON THE OLYMPIA AND IT IS SALUTED. Manila, March 4.-Admiral Georgs Dewey raised bis flag as an admiral on board the Olympia chis morning and wa9 saluted by the guns of the fort, for eign warships, the British oruiser Nar cissus and the German cruiser Kaiserin Augusta, and by the American ships in port. The United States cruisers Baltimore arrived here at 4 p. m , to day with two of the civil members of the Philippine commission, Prof J. G. Schumann president of Cornell university and Pref Dean C Worcester, of the University of of Michigan. The United States croisera Charleston has arrived here from Apparri. FIBED ON THE BENNINGTON. Manila, March 4, 6 :05 p. m.-The rebele in the village of San Jose fired on the United States gunboat Benning ton to-day and the warship shelled that place and other suburbs of Malaboa this afternoon. The United States transports Senator aod Ohio have arrived here with rein forcements of troops. ENEMY'S LOSS HEAVY. Manila, March 4, ll : 55 a. m.- At daylight Gen. Wheaton's outposts dis covered a large force of rebels attempt ing to cross the river for the purpose of reio forcing the enemy at Guada! ou po ! and ' the gunboat advanced under a heavy fire and poured sbot into the jun gle on both sides of the river and shell ed the enemy's position at Guadalonpe, effectually but temporarily scattering the rebels. The enemy's loss was heavy. Private John T. Oiz. of battery G, Third artillery, was killed. On board the gunboat Private Wm. Wheeler, company L, and Louis Bar rien, of company G, California regi ment, were wounded. SCHLEY IS AHEAD. He is Pat Two Numbers Ahead of Sampson. Washington, March 4.-The senate thia morning confirmed the naval nomi nations This puts Sob ley two numbers ahead of Sampson. The conferees reached an agreement on the remaining appropriation bill . In the naval appropriation the price of armor plate was fixed at three bun dred dollars per ton. Senator Tillman's amendment as to an armor plate was knocked out. THE GERMAN ADMIRAL, VON DEIDRICHS, RE MOVED. Berlin, March 6 -A high officia! of the German oavy has informed the correspondent here cf the Associated Press that the appointment of Prince Henry of Prussia, brother of Emperor William, to the command of the East Asiatio squadron has been considered for months past and was finally decided upon as being the most avajiable, the emperor desiring to show the American people that he is thoroughly friendly to them, knowing that Prioce Henry is popular io the United States. When the official referred to was asked whether the appointment was equivalent to the disgrace of Admiral von Diedrichs, he said : '/Not exactly. If Admiral von Diedrichs had shown more tact last summer before Manila it would undeniably have produced good results all round. Oar govern ment, unfortunately, was advised too late cf a number of occurrences before Manila, cone of which were really im portant ; but they showed grave want of tact upon Admira! von Diedrichs7 xi. The main trouble was that Admiral von Diedrichs was insufficiently informed regarding international naval usages in such a delicate situation. Consequently he continued navel movements, drill aod searchlight practice as if elsewhere than io a block aded port, thus arousing distrust on the part of the Americans." The above is important, as being the first German official admission that there bad been trouble between the Germans and Americans in Manila bay. . Tbe first regularly appointed German naval attache at Washington von Rebeor Pescbwitz, starts for New York to morrow on board the North German Lloyd steamer Labo, which Bails from Bremen. Taken to Santiago. Washington, March 6.-The navy department has been informed through the Merritt & Chapman Wrecking com pany, wbicb bas been working for several months on tho wreck of the Reina Mercedes, at the mooth cf San tiago harbor, that they have succeeded in raising the ship and have tskeu ber to Santiago She will be brought to Norfolk by the company as soon as she oan be made ready for the voyage. The "White" is the pride of home. If yon wael a good, honest sewing machine trade, see Randie. WASHINGTON LETTER. Washington, March 5.-The ex travagant appropriations-more than a billion and a half-made by the Fifty-fifth congress, now happily dead, would a few years ago have been sufficient to drive any political party from power. Only ten years ago a billion dollar congress drove the republicans out and put the dem ocrats in But it is easy to educate men into not only condoning public extravagance, but into commending it, especially if some of the money be spent in a way to give them some personal profit. The war is thc ex cuse for the large total of the appro priation, but it is not a valid one, and it should be the duty of every man opposed to public extravagance to appoint himself a committee of one, to see that no man with whom he comes in contact shall accept that excuse for lack of the actual facts. With every appropriation connected with the war deducted, the appropri ations made by the Fifty-fifth coo greets would still be largely io excess of those made by any congress in our history Keep this fact in your mind and in the minds of others, and a congress and a president may be elected next year to check the era of extravagance into which we have drifted. There bas been more or less talk in certain quarters about the anxiety of Secretary Long to get rid of the cares of office, but it should cease DOW. His acceptance of the hum iii atiou Hr. McKinley placed upon him when be compelled him to do justice to Schley by preparing-an entirely new list of naval promotions, which made Schiey a rear admiral, two numbers ahead of Sampson, instead of two numbers behind him, as the original nominations had been was proof enough that he will not will ingly reliquish the naval portfolio. Mr McKinley acted because he saw the administration was catching it in ali directions for its attempt to jump Sampson over Schley's bead, and that the senate had balked on the nominations The new nominations were confirmed \>y the senate, as eoon as received, just as was that of Dewey to be admiral In refusing to take up the r solu lion unanimously reported from the judiciary committee, declaring that the four members of the bouse who accepted army commissions, thereby forfeited their seats in congress, the house merely accepted an opportun! ty to pay Gen. Joesph Wheeler a a high compliment, by dodging a vote that must have been io favor of the resolution bad it been taken Representative Bailey, however, de dined to see it in that light and formally announced that as the demo crats had declined to follow his leadership to enforcing a plain clause of the Constitution, he would not be a candidate for that leadership ia the next congress. Senator Platt, of Connecticut, struck the bulls-eye of truth when be told the senate a few hours before final adjournment, that the session of congress just then closing would go on record as the most extravagant ever held, bot he started too late, if be really expected to stop any of the extravagance A careful considera tion of the appropriation bills will show that a concerted grab game was played from^start to finish In the wind up, when the bills were in conference, and some things had to be thrown overboard to reach an agreement, the appropriations of those having the weakest "pulF^ had to go Senators Warren, of Wyo ming; Wilson, of Washington; Car ter, of Montana, and several others who had been admitted to the game in its early stages, publicly protested when they found themselves bun coed by the conference report, but that didn't do them any good in the Senate, and wiil probably not do them any good at home. Senator Morgan's attack upon Czar Reed from the floor of the Sen ate was unprecedented, but many think it was deserved. He started by saying that the action of the ruler of the House in working through what has several times been referred to on the floor of* the house as the "Hog Combine''" for public building legislation was "a fraud and an out rage" and concluded by saying: "I want to protest against that sort of legislation I know where the incen tive of this performance comes from. I know the origin of that wrong I know the man who inspired it His will and pleasure was to make fair weatber for a particular set of men who are favorites of the particular ruler of the House." Alger and Algerism received a slap in the face when Senator For aker's amendment was added to the army bill, declaring that no property franchises should be grauted during our military occupancy of Cuba. Alger receutly created a Board, which it was officially announced, was created for the express purpose of passing upon applications for such franchises, and which it <vas publicly charged was really created to see that everything of value was given to Alger's frieuds. The large nam bev of republicans who voted for this amendment was another hint to Mr. McKinley that promiuent members of his party would like him to get rid of Alger, but there are DO 3igns that the hint will be taken. Hanna didn't vote for it, and lianna is still King, and is preparing to take Mr. McKin ley to Tbomasville, Ga, where be owns a house, for a rest. The Military Court of Inquiry is going West to take testimony at the big meat-packing establishments, although it would be difficult to say why. THE "HEATHEN CHINE E'r SENDS THAT MESSAGE TO ROME. Pekin, March 5.-The Tsung Li Yamen (Chinese foreign office) has returned io the Italian charge d'affaires. Marquis Salvage- Kaggi, his dispatch containing the demand of the italian Government for a lease of San Muu bay on the same conditions as those under which Germany holds Kiao Chou bay, accompanying it with a letter declaring that the Chinese Government is unabk to grant the request. SUGGESTIVE. Rome, March 5 -Littie attention is paid here to the refusal of the Chinese government to grant the requested lease of San Moo bay, to be used as naval base and coaling station. No .doubt is entertained that the concession will be made after further negotiations. Rear Admiral Greoet embarked to-day os the Itaiiao cruiser Stromboli, at Naples, to take command of the Italian squad roo in Chinese waters. MARINES LANDED. London, March 6 -The Rome correspondent of The Daily Mail says : "The Italian warships have landed marines at Sao Moo bay, thus virtually taking possession. "Italy will pay 80,000 for the concession The TsuBg Li Yamen wishes to reduce the lease to 50 years." ENGLISH AID. Loodoo, March 6 -Tbs Pekin correspondent of The Times oays : "It is asserted that since the Tsong Li Yamoa returned Italy's dispatoh, Sir Claude MacDonald, British minister to China, has presented a note supporting Italy's demand, and it is probable that Italy will now take possession of San Mun bay encountering practically on resist ance." William Rose Discharged. Unole William Rose, the old, familiar messenger in the governor's office, had his official head out off this morning, and a young negro, Sylvester Thompson, was giveo the job. Private Secretary Evans fays that the governor regretted the necessity of relieving the old man of bis duties, but sentiment could not be allowed to stand in the way of business. Unole William is beet with age and naturally cannot get about as lively as a youngster. Mr. Evans says it is often necessary to send the messenger out on important errands and that quickness was desirable. It could not be expected that Uncle William could fill toe bill and it became absolutely necessary to dispense with his services. Uncle William bas been messenger s'.Lce Governor Hampton's administra tion. He is widely known throughout the State amongst pubiio men. The old fellow naturally does not like this turn of affairs, but be has many friends among the white people who will aid bim in securing work or assist him otherwise.-Columbia Reoord, March 6. Won't be Responsible. Washington, March 6 -The Asso ciated Press ie authorized to state that udder no conditions will the govern ment of the United States consent to recogniz3 in any manner any financial obligation issued by the so-called assembly of the Cuban army, now in session near Habana. Should this body see fit to authorize the issue of any bonds for any purpose the government of the Uoited States will not be ed into guaranteeing them, and they must etand on their own resources in that matter. West Point, Miss., March 6 - Nearly $400,000 worth of property was destroyed by 6re here to day. The Mary Holmes college, an industrial eohool for colored girls, burned this morning, loss 65,000 ; insuranoe, $40,000. This afternoon the cotton c.impress shed, etc , together with a large amount of cotton was destroyed* Loss, $300,000. The press and cotton were insured R. C. McDaniel, a prominent cotton dealer, io attempting to obtain some papers from his office was burned to death. New York, March 6.-Josephine Kipling, the six year old daughter of Rudyard Kipling aod the oldest of hi three children, died shortly after 6 o'clock this morning from pneumonia. The child's death took plaoe at the home of Miss Julia DeForest in this city. Miss DeForest is a friend of the Kipling.-, and Josephine had been taken to her home so that she could be nursed apart from ber father The American mule is no back number. While horses have fallen in value to an average of 35, the mule stands at an average of $42. -- ?*> -< .- ^-nt Call, see, and buy embossed or floral Crepe Paper. H. G. Osteea & Co.