of the greater part of the whites employed, the lack of vitality in the blacks from the Island of Jamaica, who constituted more than half of the laborers, and various other things, it may be said, that during the four years mentioned, the average of deaths was not more than 5 per cent. of those employed. In the solitudes of Darien, as Commander Selfridge, of the United States Navy, declares, after experience with a great number of white men, the climate is nearly everywhere as good as that of any tropical country whatever. Notwithstanding execessive fatigue, irregular nourishment, the constant dampness of clothing, the lack of shelter during the night, the sleeplessness produced by the hordes of insects which infest virgin forests, several of the members of the International Commissions, at the head of which I had the honor to be placed, found themselves in better condition than they would have been under analogous conditions in temperate zones. The relative value of the different routes selected to connect the Atlantic with the Pacific can be calculated by an attentive examination of the conditions attending each of them. Nevertheless, as the question was very complex and most of the men, eminent in various ways, appointed to resolve the problem, were but slightly informed as to the work already undertaken in the American Isthmus, and were not acquainted with the localities or the objections or advantages of various kinds belonging to them, it became my duty to explain clearly elements of appreciation which escaped their notice. I have been devoted to the study of the subject for more than seventeen years. I was but a young Ensign when I explored the Isthmus for the first time. I am acquainted with the matter in its whole extent and from every point of view, and while efforts have been made with the clearest bad faith, and with an object which I will not designate, to conceal, from the European public especially, this special competence of mine, by organizing in regard to my name a conspiracy of silence, I believe, that no one in the world can claim a more thorough knowledge, the result of personal experience, of all the details of the mighty enterprise. I venture to add that, in order to prepare myself to act in the matter, I visited and studied closely all the important undertakings of a similar kind, either already completed or in course of construction, on the surface of the globe. Among those I visited are the Suez Canal, the one from Amsterdam to the North Sea, the Canals of Caledonia, of Gotha, of Hungary, of Cronstadt, from Ghent to Terneusen, of Corinth; the artificial ports of Yumiden, of Scheur, of Port Said, and of Fiume; the tunnels of Mont Cenis, of St. Gothard, and the one constructed by Mr. Sutro for the mines of Virginia City, Nevada; the improvement of the mouths of the Danube, the rectification of the Escaut and the Meuse, the very remarkable deepening of the South Pass of the Mississippi by Captain Eads, and many other works, either considerable or novel under some aspects. Finally, I have consulted and studied everything which has been published in Europe and America on the question of the inter-oceanic canal. I was then in a more competent position than any other person to make a fruitful comparison between the different projects, and to give precise and numerous indications to the members of the Congress of Paris of 1879. It has been claimed that the Panama Canal was foredoomed to failure because there was adopted for if the plan of a surface canal, and because it is impossible to construct there a canal without locks. I maintained, and still maintain, that it is altogether possible to construct a surface canal through the Isthmus of Panama, and a surface canal is the only kind which can be profitably and properly made. Africa from the East Coast (Mombasa), penetrated to Kilimanjara, thence south through the German Territory to Zanzibar, returning to Mombasa by steamer, with her own health shattered by accidents and disease, but with the loss to her retinue of only one dead (killed by lions), and one thief left behind. On reaching Mombasa the Captain's boat which delivered the mail brought to our fair author a letter from Mr. G. S. Mackenzie, the English representative of the Imperial British East African Company, which, so far from expressing sympathy with her novel adventure, suggested insurmountable obstacles. The representative's envoy was soon on board, and allowed her to see that her proposed undertaking was regarded as an act of insanity. Mrs. French-Sheldon was not to be easily deterred, and demanded calmly: What do the officers of the I. B. E. A. Co. suppose I want of them, that I am not prepared to get without their assistance? I require no financial aid, and I have already obtained permission from those in authority in England to pass through the English territory. Mr. Mackenzie, while admitting that he thought very unfavorably of the project, was the more strengthened in his position by the fact there was not then a single available porter in Mombasa, but he intimated that, if the author could form a caravan in Zanzibar, he would oppose no obstacle. To Zanzibar accordingly she proceeded, used her diplomatic passport, and obtained an audience of the Sultan, who rendered all the assistance in his power. The impossible was achieved, and the author returned to Mombasa with an organized force of 103 armed porters. These were still less than the number of loads, but a telegram to Zanzibar arranged for another party of 35, making 138 in all. All went smoothly until the porters caught sight of a party of armed Masais, which threw them into a panic. The author, however, halted them, and taking two soldiers, an interpreter, and a flag of truce, went to meet them. They were quite peaceably disposed when they saw that no hostility was intended, the terror displayed by the Zanzibaris at first glimpse of them, impressed our author strongly with the sense that everything depended on herself. And as her men were very prompt in producing their knives under irritation, she sat down on the habit promptly by introducing a system of flogging. The result was that I soon obtained complete control over every man. I do not think I could have succeeded in this if I had not most unwillingly changed my lifelong ideas about whipping. An appeal to physical force has always seemed to me to be brutal, and degrading alike to victim and administrator. However, circumstances alter cases. A caravan on Safari (en route) as a traveling community must have order and laws of its own for the safety of the whole. The only thing when a man has committed an offense, and his punishment has been agreed upon by having his fault submitted to a jury of five or six of his comrades, is to have the headman execute it promptly. The author endeavored to make a study of her followers and appears to have arrived at a very shrewd comprehension of their characters, and to have recognized some very admirable traits in them which were brought out in the incidents of travel. She tells with pleasure a story of Kara, her strong man, who, when she was heedlessly about to set her foot on an ant's nest, dropped his load, seized her around the waist, bore her to a place of safety, and prostrated himself before her, explaining the cause of his action. On the plains of Taro, the porters revolted and threw down their loads, saying that Bébé (lady) did not know the road, the ringleaders inciting the others to follow their example, but the intrepid woman was equal to the occasion: Then or never I realized that I must demonstrate to these mutinous but savage men that I would be obeyed, and that discipline should be enforced at any cost. Only for one instant in perplexity I paused, a vulture flew overhead, I drew my pistols and sent a bullet whizzing after it and brought it surely down at my feet. to the astonishment of the revolting men. With both pistols cocked, suddenly I became eloquent in the smattering of Swathale which I know; without interpreter, inspired with fearlessness and strength, I started through the centre of the rebellious throng, pointing first one, then the other pistol in quick succession at the heads of the men, threatening, and fully prepared, determined, and justified to shoot the first dissenter. The two ringleaders were flogged, order restored, and the march resumed through Arcadian Tareta, where was an English post, through to Lake Chala and the Chaga Land, or land of vulcans or smiths. In primitive Kimaugelia, the author's nerves were subjected to a still severer test: Aroused in the night by a consciousness of danger she seized knife and pistol and called out, Who is there?" An askari entered with a lantern and revealed a huge python, coiled round the top of her palanquin. The author's headman was Hamidi, a man obedient to her slightest wish and displaying great tact in his management of Zanzibaris, but on the Frontiers of the Masai country he declined to go further, urging that the danger was too great. Then, Hamidi, do you mean to say that you disobey my orders? He turned round and faced me, looking square into my eyes without hesitation, and replied, "Bébé Bwana" (Lady chief), I swore to the Sultan of Zanzibar, and to Chief Mackenzie, to protect you as far as I could from all dangers, and to give you my life rather than harm should come to you. Bébé Bwana, take these pistols, and he drew his revolvers from his belt; kill me, but I will not go. I took the pistols, and, misinterpreting the action, he bared his breast. Hamidi, go, or I shall be tempted to do something rash. Let me think it over, and, whether you go or not, I go into Masai land. You and the rest of your goats may stay behind; go into Masai land at sunrise to-morrow morning. But Hamidi, seeing that his mistress was resolved, repented and went with her. No great dangers were encountered, but on the return home the palanquin porters in crossing a primitive bridge slipped and fell with the author into the river. A number of porters jumped in to the rescue, but in their efforts to carry her up the steep, rugged bank they slipped and dropped her with serious injury to her spine. In this state she hurried home as fast as possible, rejecting all overtures from the Germans to nurse her back to health. The author criticises the military rule of the Germans, and presents it in unfavorable contrast to the English rule. The Press. POLITICAL. THE SILVER PURCHASE LAW. THE QUESTION OF ITS REPEAL. THE POPULAR AND ELECTORAL VOTES. The table below is taken from the New York Times for Jan. 10. Upon some of the peculiar aspects of the popular vote, the Times says: "In the States of Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Nevada, North Dakota, and Wyoming the Democrats generally voted for the People's party ticket, and in the table these votes are included in the Weaver column. In Louisiana the opposition Electoral ticket was equally divided between the Republicans and the People's party, four Electors being given to each, and in the table the aggregate vote for that ticket is divided between Harrison and Weaver. If it were possible to ascertain, even approximately, the Democratic votes which were given to the People's party ticket in the six States above mentioned, the aggregate vote for the Democratic ticket would, of course, be largely increased. ELECTORAL Great pressure is being exerted to secure the repeal of the Silver Purchase Act, or so-called Sherman Law, of 1890. Since the failure of the International Monetary Conference to “There will always be differences in published tables of the popular vote for Presidential adopt or recommend any measures for the Electors, as at present made up unofficially, because of differences in the mode of obtaining the solution of the silver question, there has been results. Some tables give the vote as cast for the heads of the several tickets, some the highest increasing activity among the opponents of the vote for any Elector in each ticket voted, and some the average vote for the Electors of each present silver policy of the United States Gov- State. The votes for Presidential Electors in a State usually vary through defective ballots, the prejudices or whims of voters, etc. This is illustrated by the vote of this State at the ernment. These opponents, for the most part, November election, when the highest vote for an Elector on the Democratic ticket was 654,908, are the foes of silver legislation in general—and the lowest 654,835. The vote for the Republican Electors varied from 609,459 for the the men who fought the Free Coinage Bill highest to 609,252 for the lowest." presented during the last session of Congress, and who are radically against the entire bimetallist doctrine. But as the act of 1890 was passed, and has always been regarded, as a compromise scheme, and does not embody in any distinctive way the real ideas of the bimetallists, there is not much effort apparent to make a strong issue against repeal. Consequently the discussion is carried on mostly by anti-silver men and newspapers. The silver Indiana..... advocates have little to say except to deprecate Kansas.. and resist the incidental arguments against pro-Iouisiana Kentucky.. silver legislation. Maine Whereas, The continued issue of $4,000,000 of legal-tender Treasury notes to pay for 4,500,000 ounces of silver will make it more and more difficult for the Government to redeem its obligations in gold the longer it is continued; Whereas, Confidence in the stability of our currency is weakened as these issues increase ; "Whereas, Investors in our securities are be States. Alabama... Florida.. Idaho. Iowa Minnesota. :: POPULAR VOTE, NOV. 8, 1892. Cleveland Harrison Weaver Bidwell VOTE, JAN. 9, 1893. Scat- Cleve- Har- Weatering. land. rison. ver. 85,181 239 603 87,834 46.974 118,174 118,027 25.311 8,096 8 38,620 53,584 1,687 .809 18.581 30,143 4,843 129,386 The New York Voice (Jan. 12) prints a table of the popular vote made up, like the Times's coming restless under an apprehension that table, from official returns. The variations in the totals illustrate the remarks by the Times, they may be compelled to accept payment in a depreciated currency; be it "RESOLVED, That we ask our Representatives in Congress to urge the prompt repeal of the Sherman Act of 1890, or any other law by which the Secretary of the Treasury is compelled to buy silver. "RESOLVED, That we earnestly call on every chamber of commerce and all other commercial bodies throughout the United States to unite with us on this appeal. "RESOLVED, That copies of these resolutions be sent to every member of Congress, of the Senate, and to all commercial associations in the United States.' " CONGRESSMAN COCKRAN'S VIEWS. quoted above, about the difficulty of showing with accuracy the aggregate Presidential vote. repeal of the Sherman Act. I would put this vantage. If we, through political timidity "This looks like a paradox, but it is a perfectly plain proposition when you examine it. Commerce is not the creature of law, but of custom. All that law does is to crystallize and solidify and consecrate custom, to give it sanctions wich will insure its permanence. In A notable interview on this subject with simple terms, it takes care that the people who Congressman W. Bourke Cockran appeared in do business according to custom shall not the New York Evening Post on Jan. 6. Con- cheat each other by violation of custom. We gressman Cockran took the novel position of in this country cannot, therefore, legislate the advocating repeal as a step towards bimetal-silver if the commerce of the world does not commerce of the world into the acceptance of lism. He said: "I am in favor of the absolute and unconditional repeal of the Sherman Act. I regard it as the most pernicious piece of legislation on our statute-book. I would go further, and carry with this repeal the repeal also of the Bland Act, which might be revived by a simple want silver. To attempt this is absurd. The Now, suppose we placed ourselves where the leading nations of Europe stand to day, on a single gold standard. The whole commercial world would then be compelled to conduct its transactions in gold, and we bimetallists believe that there is not enough gold above the surface of the earth to make this practicable. What would follow? The whole world-not a single nation acting by itself, as now-the silver into its coinage to help out the volume whole world, I say, would be obliged to call of money needed. Instead of being at a disadvantage in our trade with other nations, as we are to-day, we should be on an equality with all the others." PROFESSOR PERRY ON THE SHERMAN LAW. Congressman Harter of Ohio has made pub that no lic a vigorous letter favoring repeal from Prof. | out of power-to leave the silver question St. Louis Republic (Silver Dem.), Jan. 6.— A. L. Perry, the well-known political econo- open for the Cleveland Administration to take The Government ought to cease buying silver up and carry to some sort of a settlement. bullion as a matter of common sense and commist. Professor Perry writes: We do not so understand Mr. Allison. Even mon justice. It ought to open its mints and if that were his view of the policy and coin all the bullion that is presented for coinduty of Republicans, we should consider it age. That will neither "bull" silver nor bad politics as well as bad policy. The motive bear" it, but will restore to it the coinage would be perfectly apparent; and being ap-value taken out of it when its coinage was parent would defeat the purpose. It would discontinued. If, after the silver or gold bulonly mean that Republican Senators and mem- lion has been coined, the owner wishes to bers of Congress were willing to see financial deposit it and take certificates of deposit on it, conditions continue which disturb business and the only objection to the issue of such certifi threaten public credit when a remedy is within cates is that the presence of the deposits in their reach, in order, in the slang of current the Treasury confuses many and leads to the politics, to put their opponents "in a hole.' demand that coin against which paper is alThe Tribune, let us say once for all, is not in ready outstanding shall nevertheless be put favor of that kind of "smart politics. into circulation. When silver is freely coined The question which now presents itself is there will be no more trouble about getting it really the old one of currency inflation in a to circulate than there is now. The business new form. Contrary to the hope and, per- of the world is very rapidly increasing with haps, the expectation of its supporters, the the increase of population and with the progSherman Act is leading us away from bimetal-ress of invention. We need more money, and lism. The purchase of silver and issue of there is not gold enough in the world to supply silver certificates is neither more nor less than this legitimate demand. the old greenback heresy in a new form. It is a universal law of political economy two commodities having different costs of production and varying intensities of demand can ever be kept in a steady ratio of purchasing power one to the other. Legislation has proved itself powerless a hundred times to override this economic law. The present national law relating to silver bullion is only the last link in the long chain of such demonstrations. The only rational thing to do with the so-called Sherman Law is instantly to repeal it. Every day's delay is a danger. By holding on to it so long against reason and common sense the country has already lost the confidence of the financial world. The unwonted export of gold at this season is caused by nothing else than the throwing back upon the American market of foreign-held American securities, which must, of course, be paid for, and gold is the only commodity equally available as such pay. Why are foreigners to this extent unloading securities upon us, which are otherwise acceptable to them? Because they fear, and have reason to fear, that if they delay, the securities will be paid, interest and principal, in silver money, made legal tender for all debts, public and private. The only possible way for the United States as a nation to regain for themselves a decent confidence in the monetary centres of the world is to erase from our statute-books-leaving not a vestige -the suicidal and every way abominable law compelling purchases of silver bullion." JAY COOKE DEFENDS SILVER. The Philadelphia Manufacturer (Dec. 31) prints a letter from Jay Cooke, the prominent banker, strongly opposing the arguments against unlimited use of silver, and declaring that the agitation for stopping silver purchases is unnecessary and nnreasonable. The following is an extract: "The demonetization of silver in 1873, although a measure enacted ignorantly, confessed by Congress, was a great crime to civilization and progress, and, further, the vast majority of the people who are not capitalists have been reduced in resources and in debtpaying capacity to the full extent of the withdrawal of the legal-tender silver money. "It is almost laughable, were it not so serious, to read the editorials in the daily press of the conntry, which are in a great majority averse to the upholding of silver and restoring it to the basis of 16 to 1, and to its former position as a legal-tender, debt-paying metal. Boston Post (Dem.), Jan. 7.—The order has House last year. It is the position taken by the New York Times (Ind.-Dem.), Jan. 9.-The Chicago Tribune (Rep.), Jan. 7.-The true friends of sound money should unite to press for the adoption of the McPherson resolution, and after that is achieved they can then bend their energies to the task of convincing their wayward brethren that the best interests of the country demand an abandonment of the effort to hold up silver to more than 50 per cent. above its adınitted commercial value. "In my experience, I have seen silver sell at a large premium above gold, and during the California gold days I have made purchases of gold at a discount for checks on our Philadelphia banks. It would have been just as easy at that time to have demonetized gold, and to have produced precisely the same conditions as to gold as now prevail in regard to silver, that is, if the coinage of gold had been refused at the mints of the United States and other countries, and it had been made an article of trade and commerce merely. Atlanta Constitution (Silver Dem.), Jan. 8. "The newspapers seem to be doing all theyIt makes no difference whether the New can to create a panic by declaring that the further buying of silver will expel the gold from the United States Treasury, and from this country, which is a silly prognostication. It has no foundation whatever in fact, or in the experience of those who have watched the course of events in the past." SPECIMEN PRESS OPINIONS. New York Tribune (Rep.), Jan. 7.—The construction put upon recent interviews with Senator Allison on the results of the Monetary Conference, to the effect that he favors nonaction on the repeal of the Sherman Act as the proper policy for Republicans to pursue in the present Congress, seems to us hardly warranted by his published utterances. It is said to be his idea-the Republicans being about to go York editors are ignorant or "hypnotized," or Denver News (Silver organ), Jan. 5.-Senator Sherman is becoming prosy and tiresome. His assertion that silver has depreciated because too much of it has been produced is silly An ounce of silver will purchase and childish. now as much of 200 commodities as it would The immense silver protwenty years ago. duction of the Comstock and Leadville did not depreciate the price of silver. It is the enhancement of the price of gold by Wall street and European shylocks which depresses silver. The American people will get their work in on the goldbugs by-and-by. The crash will come. Toronto World, Jan. 7.-The silver question threatens to end in a financial crisis. It will certainly prevent any great reduction of the tariff for years. We make bold to say that a money crisis can only be avoided by the expenditure of immense sums out of the national Treasury in order to catch up the error made in the notorious silver legislation of the United States. And that if that is so Congress must find a revenue, and it finds its best revenue in We ask business men and the a high tariff. public to watch the development of this currency crisis across the border. Fortunately we are out of it. THE GOLD RESERVE AND THE CURRENCY. Providence Journal, Jan. 9.—The gold reserve on Saturday was $121,057,032, the gold notes in circulation $454,444,814, and the total circulating paper of the Government $784.881,944, making the ratios 26 per cent. and 15 per cent. respectively. AS TO COMPROMISES. Boston Transcript (Ind.-Rep.), Jan. 6. —Varito take the place of the Silver Purchase Act, ous compromises are talked of in Washington should it be repealed, which will not be the the sheer force of public opinion. These comcase unless Congress is compelled to act by promises, so-called, are, some of them, worse than the Sherman Bill, being based on the idea that silver fanatics must be satisfied at all events. The silver men, it is said, will not consent to any other substitute than one which directs the coinage of "not less than $2,000,000 nor more than $4,000,000 monthly." but insist that the monthly coinage of Bland silver shall not go below dollars $4,000,000 monthly in any event. One proposition is to coin the silver bullion in Government possession—to purchase which Treasury notes have already been issued-at the rate of two and a half millions per month, and so get a double inflation out of the silver bullion stacked in Federal vaults. These suggestions are misnamed compromises. They serve to show that there is no really half-way ground between a silver and a gold basis, under the present international attitude of European Governments on the subject. If Congressmen are considering earnestly the practice of coining more 65-cent dollars, their constituents have the legislative caucus of the Democrats at | ment of a candidate against whose election the not enlightened them much during the holidays. Albany last Tuesday evening. This choice President-elect had publicly protested. was the culmination of a systematic and active New York Times (Ind.-Dem.), Jan. 10.SPEAKER CRISP AND THE FREE COINAGE MEN. utilization of the organized Democratic forces Why should Murphy have instigated the farce? throughout the State in behalf of Mr. Murphy's The man is going to be elected Senator. NoCincinnati Volksblatt (Rep.), Jan. 7.-Views candidacy. County, city, and local commit-body disputes that. Why does he not take differ widely as to the possibility of accomhis office and be quiet instead of pretending plishing the repeal of the Sherman Act relating tees were called together to endorse Mr. Mur- that the people or that the masses of his own to monthly purchases of silver. The Demo- phy as the one candidate of the party. There party are in favor of him? Does he not know cratic adversaries of free coinage assert that has been nothing to indicate that Mr. Cleves that if the office were elective nobody would they will be able to bring about the repeal of land's protest has had any restraining influence think of nominating him to it, and that, if by the Sherman Act without making concessions any chance he should be nominated, any Indeed, the of any kind to the free coinage people; but upon the party organization. decent Republican could beat him in the electhe latter declare that repeal cannot be effected party endorsements of Mr. Murphy have been tion? Of course he does, but it seems he unless their demands are granted. Their con- much more numerous and earnest since Mr. would like to make people believe that some fident declaration rests upon faith in their Cleveland's interview appeared than they were decent persons really think him fit to be a ability to avert unconditional repeal of the Senator, whereas all decent persons consider Sherman Law by means of parliamentary that his election will simply create a vacancy man who has it in The most striking action of this kind was for six years in the representation of New the adoption by the Cleveland and Stevenson York in the Senate. He cannot disabuse Electors last Monday of resolutions praising people of this impression by getting "endorseand recommending Mr. Murphy. The intro-head, or from any of its creatures, and these duction of the resolution's elicited vigorous are all the endorsements he has to show. protest from two of the Electors, who declared that it was a violation of propriety to ask the Electoral College to express itself on the Senatorial question. manœuvres. The his power to make such hopes vain is Speaker Crisp, and the interview that Mr. Crisp had recently with President-elect Cleveland turned upon the question whether the Speaker would be willing to oppose the free coinage men by applying measures to cut off debate. According to, present reports, Speaker Crisp refused to comply with Mr. Cleveland's wish. He argued that since he had favored the anti-free coinage men by refraining from enforcing gag rule, and thus had enabled them to defeat the Free Silver Bill, he could not consistently use arbitrary tactics against the friends of free coinage. On the other hand, it is asserted that if Crisp is chosen Speaker of the next House, he will adapt his administration to the desires of the Cleveland element. SILVER IN THE MARKET. Bradstreet's (New York), Jan. 7.-It is undeniable that the failure to accomplish anything at Brussels has increased the sentiment favorable to a repeal or modification of the Silver Purchase Law of 1890. There is, however, no lively expectation on this side of the Atlantic that the present Congress will adopt such a course. A contrary impression, however, seems to prevail abroad, and the manifestations which at present are displayed in the London silver market seem to be predicated upon the idea that the Sherman Bill will not remain long upon the statute-book of the United States. At the same time a decided influence is exercised upon the position of silver by the alleged uncertainty which exists in relation to the monetary policy of British India. The influence of these two factors is responsible for the weakness of silver in the last weeks of the year. On Dec. 27, 1892, the New York quotation for bar silver touched 82 cents per ounce, the lowest figure on record, being 1⁄2 cent per ounce below the quotation of last August. It is, however, to be noted that the London price did not decline proportionately, and that the lowest figure in that market-3711ed. per ounce on Dec. 20 last-was still fractionally above the figures current there in August, viz., 377ed. The explanation of this irregular action of the two markets is not difficult to trace. It seems that London exporters to the East were willing to pay 371 to 384d. for spot silver for immediate shipment, but were, in view of the fears of a repeal of the silver laws or of the closing of the Indian mints to silver, entirely unwilling to purchase here and take the risk of possible changes of such gravity before consignments could arrive. From this fact resulted the disrepancy in quotations with which the year closed, and which has not been entirely obviated by the more secure feeling in regard to both of the dangers referred to above. per ounce. THE before. SENATOR HILL'S PART. Newspaper reports state that the resolutions were presented, and pushed through, by the personal instructions of Senator Hill, who was present in a room adjoining the chamber in which the Electors met. The Herald's report says: "The majority of the Electors sat astounded. Mr. Croker so far forgot himself as to speak his thoughts. It is a mistake,' said Mr. Croker. 'It should never have been done.' Looking toward the door of the room in which Senator Hill sat awaiting the result of his work, Mr. Croker added: That man has no business here. He ought to be in Washington.' Then, as if recalling his position, the silent master of Tammany sat down and picked nervously at the card on his desk." The Times's report says: ments" from the machine of which he is the New York Staats-Zeitung (Ind.-Dem.), Jan. 10. The Presidential Electors, as such, have as little to do with the choice of a United States Senator as they have with the German Military Bill. If it was the purpose of these gentlemen to afford a new demonstration that a method of electing the President which was instituted under conditions entirely different ridiculous and ought to be abandoned, they from those prevailing to-day has become have discharged their function. New York Morning Advertiser (Rep.), Jan. II.-Croker did not feel moved by the presence of Senator Hill in Albany on Monday. He publicly referred to him as "that man, and suggested that his proper place was Washington. Mr. Croker has an idea that Hill is a source of trouble for his band of reformers. Can it be possible that we are to have a threecornered fight between Hill, Croker, and Cleveland? Brooklyn Times (Rep.), Jan. 10.-This pronunciamento of the Electoral College proclaims to the Democracy of the whole nation that the Democratic party in the Empire State is hopelessly divided and that the dominant faction has no ambition except to embarrass, annoy, and wage war upon the Democratic President. "Mr. Croker knew the mischievous hand that drafted it. He understood it was a challenge to the incoming Federal Administration, that it was intended as a rebuke to Mr. Cleveland, by having the Electors who cast the vote of the State of New York for him indorse the Utica Morning Herald (Rep.), Jan. 10.candidacy of a man whom the President-elect The Hill-Murphy machine reached the limits had publicly opposed. That man,' exclaimed of audacity and contempt for the PresidentMr. Croker, meaning Hill, has got no business elect yesterday. He ought to be in Washington attend-dential Electors, an expression in favor of EdIn requiring of the Presiing to his duties as United States Senator.'" ward Murphy for United States Senator it here. The World's report says: exhausted its powers of insult. Luckily for "Senator Hill arrived while the Electors Mr. Cleveland his election does not depend were in session and remained in an adjoining on the vote of New York's Electors, else it is room, where he was not visible to the crowd not improbable the machine would have Mr. Croker knew he was required him in the chamber. to apologize to the Troy there, and after the adjournment the Tam- brewer as a condition of the vote being cast many chief said, with his face turned towards for him. Not having that power the Electors the room in which the Senator was concealed, first slapped him in the face with a fulsome and in a tone loud enough to be heard some eulogy and "endorsement" of Murphy, and distance away: That man has got no business kicked him with an adjournment to hob-nob here. He ought to be in Washington attend- with Mr. Murphy's friend, the Governor, being to his duties as United States Senator.' fore performing the one duty which the law Then Mr. Croker, with anger blazing in his imposes on them-voting for President and eyes, left the chamber." Mr. Murphy was nominated in the caucus Tuesday evening by a vote of 85 to 5. The five dissidents voted for W. Bourke Cockran. Vice-President. Boston Traveller (Rep.), Jan. 10.-This action was so utterly unprecedented that its significance as an act of warfare can hardly be overestimated. Little or no doubt now exists as to Mr. Murphy's election, and that the two Senators from New York will make bitter warNew York Herald (Ind.-Dem.), Jan. 10. fare on the Administration unless there is comThe Electoral College is not a political ma-pliance with their demands, no one in his chine to be used for partisan electioneering senses for a moment doubts. It looks as if the purposes. It has a high constitutional func- battle of twelve years ago was to be repeated, CLEVELAND ELECTORS AND tion which is grossly abused when perverted to only it is safe to say hat there will be no resignations on the part of Hill and Murphy." MR. MURPHY. The formal selection of Edward Murphy, Jr., as the Democratic candidate for Mr. Hiscock's seat in the United States Senate, was made by the ends of factional politics. Moreover, the Philadelphia Evening Telegraph (Ind. Rep.), Jan. 10.-It means four years of political purgatory for Grover Cleveland. Murphy elected, Mr. Hill will devote his energies during the will have neither. The last annual meeting of | Senator of Mr. Sherman's reputation and large intervening period to forming a Senatorial the Supreme Council of the Farmers' Alliance financial experience should indicate his purcombination, whereby, after the 4th of March, announced in favor of the Government owner- pose to vote for this bill. It is all the more the National Executive will be compelled to ship of railroads, but that plank in the People's depressing because the statements which he make terms with the political highwaymen of party platform was not endorsed with any made in his brief speech in the Senate are prethe time. It will be a battle of the gods, and degree of enthusiasm, and it is very doubtful if cisely such as would seem to lead to a directly the President-elect may well take himself to the Alliance will ratify that demand as passed opposite conclusion. Mr. Sherman explains the Jersey pines to brace up for the work and at Memphis. But could control be made the racket ahead. No, the Democratic millen-effective and adequate, there is no doubt that nium will not arrive this year of grace. it would be preferred by all who understand and endorse the principles involved in the Constitution of the United States. THE GOVERNMENT AND THE RAIL WAYS. THE PROPOSED REPEAL OF THE ANTI-POOL LAW. Senator Cullom has introduced a bill to amend the Inter-State Commerce Act so as to modify the present prohibition of railway "pool" arrangements. The bill makes the following provision: That it shall be lawful for any common carrier, subject to the provisions of this act, to that he does not believe that the bill will accomplish what is expected of it; and he admits that there are grave doubts of the constitutionality of the measure, yet he intends to vote for it, out of deference to the opinions of agricultural societies and individual farmers, who think that the bill would remedy evils which MR. REAGAN'S CHANGE OF MIND. they find oppressive. But are the opinions of agricultural societies and individual farmers Chicago Railway Review, Jan. 7.—Advance upon the efficacy and constitutionality of a copies of the sixth annual report of the Inter-proposed bill likely to be better grounded or State Commerce Commission have been re ceived, and a perusal reveals many points of enter into contracts or agreements with other merce Law in its present form and to whom should prove Mr. Sherman's apprehensions as common carriers, having for their object the establishment and maintenance of just and reasonable rates, and the prevention of unjust discrimination. Such agreements may provide for the apportionment of traffic or of earnings, and shall be enforcible between the parties thereto. ATTITUDE OF THE RAILWAYS TOWARD THE Pittsburgh Dispatch (Rep.), Jan. 8.-There is a decided sarcasm in the following editorial extract from the New York Herald: the fifth section, or the anti-pooling clause in age Reagan declaimed against what is known as will remember with what virulence Mr. with ator Sherman himself? And if there is to be more thoroughly informed than those of Sendeference either way, ought it not to be on the part of the agricultural societies and the farmers to the better judgment of Mr. Sherman ? Suppose that the Anti-Option Bill should become law, and that its practical operation well founded, what would the agricultural socito its inefficiency and unconstitutionality to be eties and the individual farmers say then? Would not they have a right to complain bewith their trained judgment, recognized in cause Mr. Sherman and others like him, who, advance these defects, did not have the courage to avert from them the consequences of an inoperative and injurious law? regulation of railways in Texas, with what CONCERNING effect is well known to those who have followed the course of the Commission in that It was ascertained positively yesterday that the trunk State. The effect upon himself is now reline pool is now in actual operation, and that the com-vealed in the letter, of which the following is petitive eastbound freight business between New York and Chicago has been divided among the several railroads. The Herald had previously announced the establishment of the pool, but it was held in abeyance for awhile because of the exposure. Probably the fact of the pool will appeal to nobody more strongly than Congressmen who have been asked to amend the Inter-State Commerce Act, making pools legal. The Herald omits to say. whether the fact should appeal to Congressmen in favor of the amendment asked for, or against; but there is no doubt as to railway opinion. The eminent railway magnates who have been giving the Congressional committees the benefit of their expert opinions virtually say, according to the Herald's statement of the facts: We belong to a class which is entitled to override public policy, to nullify the statutes of Congress, and to defy the decisions of the Courts. Therefore you must amend the act because we do not like it, and if you do not, we will ignore it anyway.' The argument seems to be generally regarded, especially in railway circles, as a most valid one. Perhaps it is; but we may be permitted to hope that the time will come when people making demands for public legislation in their favor must show clean hands as regards obedience and respect for the laws of the country. SOME PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF GAMBLING IN FUTures. all transactions in But there must be who Richmond Times (Dem.). Jan. 8. The assumption that transactions in futures,.which an extract: Further study has caused me to tend towards depressing the price of the are gambling pure and simple, necessarily believe that the section may be amended so as article dealt in, is just as gratuitous as the to benefit both the railroads and the people by other assumption that allowing the railroads to enter into traffic ar- futures are necessarily gambling transactions. rangements one another.' But any The argument that such necessarily depress such arrangement which they may be alprices proceeds upon the proposition that lowed to make should be laid before, and approved by, the Inter-State Com- every person who bets that the price of grain will be lower on July 1, becomes merce Commission before becoming effective; interested to depress its price, and in this and such an amendment should provide a sufway he has an enormous body of men ficient penalty to prevent or punish any viola- striving with all their might to put the tion of agreements so made between the price of grain down. roads." Such a statement, coming from such two parties to every bet. If the one a source, may well cause surprise, and yet it bets that grain will be lower in July is interis only the conclusion to which every fair-ested to depress grain, the one who bets that minded, intelligent man must arrive who, it will be higher becomes interested to raise its possessing the means, honestly endeavors to price, so that the one exactly balances the get at the solution of the question. But not other. If either gets the advantage it is just every man arriving at such a conclusion would as likely to be the one who bets on the be, with Mr. Reagan, honest enough to declare high price as the one who bets on the low it. Fortunately, that gentleman posseses the price. The gambling transaction is just as courage of his convictions, and is strong likely, therefore, to raise the price of grain as enough not to fear that the acknowledgment it is to lower it. In other words is has no inof mistake will in any sense detract either fluence at all, and the price is fixed by the law from his reputation or his character. of supply and demand. But the exchanges for dealing in futures have this most beneficial effect: Before we had exchanges the wheat crop or the corn crop or the cotton The Senate is still considering the Wash-crop or any other crop of all the farmers came upon the market at the same time. Washington National Economist (Farmers' burn Anti-Option Bill, intended by its authors sold then, when all were endeavoring Alliance), Jan. 7.-It will be no easy task for to suppress gambling in the necessaries of life. sell, and prices were consequently lowered Tailroad officials, and others interested, to con- On Jan. 4 Senator Sherman urged early action necessarily by the glut. The farmer got, vince the people that railway pools are desirable. There is a strong prejudice in the on the measure, saying that it should be re- therefore, less than what his crop should have minds of the people against the practice of garded as a serious piece of legislation and brought. But the exchanges are open all the year round, with sharp speculators all the time pooling. Still it is the duty of high-class jour- be brought promptly to a vote. Senator Sherestimating the quantity of the unreaped crop nals to take position on the side of absolute man's remarks have been interpreted as indi-and the amount of demand for it and trading truth and justice, no matter whether they have cating that, notwithstanding his personal obto brave the displeasure of powerful corporations, or a deep-rooted public prejudice. One jections to the bill, he will probably vote for it thing is certain; the public generally believes in deference to the widespread belief among that pooling is an evil used for purposes in- the farmers that it is in their interest. imical to the general welfare, and if the public is in error in this particular, it can and should be demonstrated beyond any shadow of doubt by those who advocate the new amendment. It may, as a dernier resort, be best to say that of two evils we will choose the least, but it is far better, when possible, to say we All to on this estimate. They are therefore furnishing the farmer with a market every day in the year, so that the pressure to sell all at once never takes place now, but the sale of a crop is spreading gradually over a whole season. This regular and steady market for the farmer the "Anti-Option" Bill would destroy, remitting the farmer to his old status under which he had to sell his crop at the moment every other farmer was endeavoring to sell his, or to store it and wait for a market, with all the losses that that involves. |