Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 April 1898 — Page 2

®ije <J. W. McEWEN, Publisher. RENSSELAER, - - - INDIANA

MYSTERY OF THE SEA.

fcIUST HAVE GONE DOWN VERY CLOSE TO LAND. Bark Marie Seidenburg Drops Out of Sight Between New York and Philadelphia—Family of Four Murdered in Texas by Unknown Persons. German Bark Missing. The German bark Marie Seidenhurg, from Dublin, Jan. 31, in ballast, for Philadelphia. is missing and fears are entertained that she has foundered and that Tier crew of twenty-one men found watery graves almost in sight of land. Seventeen days ago the missing bark was sighted off Scotland lightship, outside of New York harbor, and orders were put on board of her by a pilot boat addressed to Capt. Menkens, her master, instructing him to proceed to Philadelphia, where she had just been chartered to load crude .oil for Marseilles. Since that time the Marie fieideuburg has not been seen or heard from. The mysterious disappearance of this ship is one of the strangest events in ehipping annals. She had oply 100 miles to cover when last sighted to reach the Delaware capes, and she should have reported there the next day. train robbers put to flight. Jlravc Express Messenger Prcv-ents a Hold-Up Near Grant, N. M. Meager details have been secured by the Santa Fe Railway of an attempt to hold tip the west-bound Santa Fe passenger •train near Grant, N. M. The tram was tagged some distance from the lonely station and. slowed down. The fireman and engineer, however, suspected the cause tof the flagging and were moving ahead when the robbers opened fire and wounded the fireman. The train was stopped and five masked men approached. Express Messenger Fowler stepped from the train and opened fire with a brace of pistols. The robbers were unprepared for this and fled. One of them was severely wounded my Fowler, but his comrades got him away. Fowler joined the New Mexican officers who are now following the trail. The train proceeded west. Nothing was heard of the robbers.

WHOLE FAMILY MURDERED. Two Men Who Were Refused Lodging Are Suspected. The whole Lee family, consisting of father, mother ami two small children, Jiave been murdered on a ranch near Faint Rock, Texas. A man who gave the alarm says that in the early part of the evening two men called at the Lee house and asked to be allowed to stay during the might. They were denied accommodations. latter in the night he awoke to find two men in the house, and ns he ran he was fired upon by them. An ax was the weapon used for murdering the victims.

Refuses Brady’s Request. A passenger who arrived at Seattle on the steamer Australia from Skagmty reports that Gov. Brady and Collector of Customs Ivey were turned down by Captain Belcher of the Canadian mounted police. They asked permission to place two deputy collectors at Lake Bennett for the purpose of facilitating the transportation of Canadian goods in bond. Captain Belcher refused their application. It is stated that they were acting under instructions from Washington. Wire Nail Men Meet. All members of the Salem, 0., Wire Nail Company were present or represented by agents at an important meeting the other day. The matter of consolidation •was placed before the officials by Frank Baackes, recently elected general manager of the American Steel Wire Company. Mr. Baackes stated the object of the consolidation to be mutual protection. The meeting resulted in the Salem company entering the combine, which is now completed. To Learn if Worden Is Insane. Dr. A. M. Gardner of the Napa, Cal., insane asylum, has gone East to secure in various localities in New York State affidavits of a number of people as to the sanity or insanity of Salter 1). Worden, the train wrecker now at Folsom under sentence of death. Many people living in New Y'ork have written to Gov. Budd giving data as to the insanity of some of Worden’s relatives. Will Plead Guilty. At Fairfield, Cal.. Frank Belew has announced his intention of pleading guilty to the murder of his brother and sister. He has signed a statement in writing that he committed the crime, declaring that he ■does not know what motive prompted it, and adding that he will provide for his children and throw himself on the mercy of the court. Rioting in Houston, Texas. The street car strike at Houston, Texas, iassumed riotous proportions the other day. The company’s efforts to run cars were met with stones and clubs from the crowd, ■numbering 1,000 persons. AU of the car ■windows were broken, and the property otherwise damaged. Soldiers dispersed the mob. Russian Flag Hoisted. The Chinese garrisons have been withdrawn from Port Arthur and Ta-Lien-Wan, the Russians landing, and the Russian flag was hoisted at both places. Proprietor Irish Tinies Dead. Sir John Arnott, baronet, proprietor of the Irish Times, is dead in London. He was born in 1817, was knighted in 1850 and was created a baronet in 189(>.

Nitroglycerin Lets Go. Two nitroglycerin magazines, containing about 1,500 quarts, belonging to the Bradford Glycerin Company, exploded with terrific force at the factory, about five miles east of Findlay, O. The shock was feit all over that part of the State. No lives were lost so far as is known. Straits Free from Ice. The Straits of Mackinaw were opened by a southwest gale, which rapidly drove the ice into Lake Huron. This is the earliest opening for the sixty-three years of Yhich records have been kept. River Miners to Strike. A general strike of Ohio river coal miners will be inaugurated April 2 unless all of the conditions of the Chicago agreement are conformed with by that date, or the operators agree to pay the men upon a run-of-mine basis. A strike will affect about 5,000 men. • J. Sterling: Morton Elected. Former Secretary of Agriculture J. Sterling Morton of Nebraska was elected president of the National Sound Money League at its first annual meeting held in Chicago. A. B. Hepburn of New York was re-elected treasurer and E. V. Smalley secretary.

SPAIN A SUSPECT

Proof of Foul Treachery in Havana Harbor. MINE MB THE MAINE Verdict of Court of Inquiry Says the Fact Is Clear. REPORT SENT TO CONGRESS. Whole Matter Is Referred to Committee on Foreign Relations. A MESSAGE FROM M’KINLEY. Reviews the Maine Affair, but Makes No Recommendations. Verdict of the Naval Court Shows that the United States Battleship Was Sent to the Bottom of Havana Harbor by the Ex plosion of a Mine - Board Docs Not Definitely Fix Responsibility, but Suggests It—President McKinley Reviews the History’ of the Maine from the Time She Was Sent to Havana—Report as Sent to Congress.

Washington correspondence: At noon Monday the findings of the naval board of inquiry as to the cause of the explosions that wrecked the Maine were sent to Congress by President McKinley. In anticipation of the report being presented, the largest crowd which has attended a session of Congress in years was at the capitol. Not one-tenth of the people who stormed the doors were able to gain admission. The members of the House awaited the report with the same feverish anxiety manifested by the public, and there was scarcely a vacant seat on the floor. The verdict of the court and the message from the White House accompanying is brief. The report as a whole is a formal, dispassionate recital of facts, ami bears the stamp of that strict officialism which marks naval procedure. An ab-

PRESIDENT M’KINLEY.

stract of the eight parts of the report is here given: 1. At the time of the explosion the battleship Maine was lying in five and one-half to six fathoms of water. 2. The discipline was excellent. Everything was stowed according to orders, including ammunition, guns, and stores.' The temperature of the magazines at 8 p. m. was normal, except iu the after 10-inch magazine, and that did not explode; 3. The explosion occurred at 0:40 o'clock in the evening of Feb. 15. There were two explosions, with a very short interval between them. The ship lifted on the first explosion. . 4. The court can form no definite opiuiou of the condition of the wreck from the divers’ evidence. 5. There are technical details of Wreckage, from which the court deduces that a mine was exploded under the ship on the port side. 6. The explosion was due to no fault of those on hoard. 7. In the opinion of the court the explosion of the mine caused the explosion of two magazines. 8. The court is unable to find evidence to fix the responsibility. The report is unanimous and is signed ■by all the members of the court." It does not refer to the existence or nonexistence of the mine in the harbor of Havana, except in the specific finding that a mine was exploded under the ship and the - opinion that the (explosion of the two magazines was caused by the explosion of a mine. This explains the remarkable destruction wrought. The explosion is thus shown to have combined the force of a mine without and two magazines within. The two ■explosions which the court finds to have occurred, with a very short interval between them, is an additional detail showing that two forces operated in causing the destruction. The feature of the report of deepest interest to the navy is the complete exoneration of Captain Sigsbee and all on board, contained in the second finding, setting forth the perfect order and discipline prevailing on the ship, and more directly stated in the sixth finding, Which declares the disaster to be due to no fault of those bn board. Message by McKinley. In sending the verdict of the naval court to> Congress President McKinley accompanied it with a brief message. He reviewed the history of the Maine from the time she was sent to Havana, but made no recommendations to the assembled law. makers. In his message the President said: “For some time prior to the visit of the Maine to Havana harbor, our consular representatives pointed out the advantages to flow irtia the visit of national ships to the

Cuban waters In accustoming the people t< the presence of our flag as the symbol of good will. and of our ships In the fulfillment of the mission of protection to American interests, even though uo Immediate need therefor might exist. “Accordingly, on the 24fh of January last, after conference with the Spanish minister, in which the renewal of visits of our war vessels to Spanish waters was discussed and accepted, the peninsular authorities at Madrid and Havana were gdvised of the purpose ‘of this Government to resume friendly naval visits at Cuban ports, and that in that view the Afaine'would forthwith caff at the port of Havana. “This announcement was received by the Spanish Government with appreciation of the friendly character of the visit of the Maine anff with notification of Intention to return the courtesy by sending Spanish ships to the principal ports of the United States. “The Maine continued in the harbor of Havana during the three weeks following her arrival.XNo appreciable excitement attended her star; on the contrary, a feeling of relief and confidence followed the resumption of the long-interrupted friendly intercourse. So noticeable was this immediate effect of her visit that the consul genent 1 strongly urged that the presence of our ships lu Cuban waters should be kept up by retaining the Maine at Havana, or. In the event of her recall, by sending another vessel there to take her place.” The President -referred to the disaster on the night of Feb. 15. the rescue of the survivors and care of the wounded. Then be proceeds!: . "The appalling calamity fell upon the people of our country with crushing force and for a brief time an intense excitement prevailed, which In a community less just and self-controlled than ours might have led to heavy acts of blind resentment. “This spirit, however, soon gave way to the calmer processes of reason, and to resolve to investigate the facts and await material proof before forming a judgment as to the cause, the responsibility, and. If the facts warranted, the remedy due. This course necessarily recommended itself from the outset to the Executive, for only In the light of a dispassionately ascertained certainty

(From His Latest Photograph.)

it determine the nature and measure of Its full duty In the matter. ’’ “The usual procedure was followed. ns In all crises of casually or disaster to national vessels of any maritime state. “A naval court of Inquiry was at once organized. composed of officers w< 11 qualified by rank 'and practical experience to discharge the onerous duty imposed upon them. Aided by n strong force of wreckers and divers the court proceeded to make a thorough Investigation on the spot, employing every available means for the impartial and exact determination of the causes of the explosion. its operations have been conducted with the utmost deliberation and judgment, and. while independently pursued, no source of information,was neglected ami the fulb’st opportunity, was allowed for a simultaneous Investigation by the Spanish authorities. . “The finding of the court of inquiry was reached after twenty-three days of continuous labor, on the 21st of March. Instant, and having been approved on the 22d by the commander in chief of the United States naval force on the North Atlantic' station was transmitted to the executive. It is herewith laid before the Congress, together with the voluminous testimony taken before the court.” The President then gave a brief synopsis of the board's report, with the conclusions reached, and concluded his message as follows: “I have directed that the finding of the court of Inquiry and the views of this Government thereon be communicated to the Government of her Majesty, the Queen Regent, and I do not permit myself to doubt that the sense of justice of the Spanish nation will dictate a course of action suggested by honor and the friendly relations of the two governments. “It will be the duty of the Executive to advise the Congress of the result and In the meantime consideration is Invoked. When the reading of the document was completed the Senate agreed to the printing of the message, report and testimony and the reference of the documents to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Both houses then adjourned.

THINK SPAIN GUILTY,

Members of Congress Say the Verdict Is a Moral Indictment. The const nsus of opinion in the lower house of Congress is that Spain is under moral indictment for responsibility, in greater or lesser degree, in the Maine disaster. The report of the naval court of inquiry and the President’s message have evoked many public declarations in favor of prompt and vigoronsNntervention in Cuba, and the majority in the House shows impatience for further steps by President McKinley. Neither Speaker Reed, Mr. Dingley. the floor leader of the majority, nor Mr. Bailey, the Democratic leader of the House, would make any comment on the Presidrat’s message. Other members, however, were no't so reticent.. Their views follow: Marner (111.) —We should now act. Livingston (Go.)—The message reads like an apology. Hopkins (lII.i-I think the next step should be armed Intervention. Iluil (Iowa) I favor immediate intervention in Cuba by this country. Babcock (Wis.)—The President has been very conservative in his action. Dockery (Mo.) I confess to a deep sense of disappointment at its tenor. Cooper (Texas)-We caunnot afford to accept blood money for dead patriotic sailors. McCleary (Minn.) —The reportMs not full enough to warrant one In stating a final onlnion.

Bell (Colo.)—The people should demand that Spain negative all responsibility or neglect at once. Jett (lll.)—lntervention is wanted by the people, and nothing short of it will be satisfactory to them. Qtiigg (X. Y.)—War is hideous and should be resorted to only when no other Course Is possible in justice and self-respect. Landis (Ind.)—l am in favor of ordering Spain out of the western hemisphere, and If she does not go I am in favor of putting her out. McMillin (Tenn;) —The message is thoroughly noncommittal, and does not acquaint Congress with the policy of the administration. Sayers (Texas)—l will not vote for an appropriation to furnish food for the suffering Cubans unless it be accompanied bv armed intervention. CA.nimlngs (N. I.) —I have no comment to make. The American people will make their own comment, and make it so loud that even the deaf will hear them. Dolliver (lowa)—Out- duty to end the misery in Cuba by whatever means necessary is plain. I hope that there will he no hesitation and little delay. Foss (Ill.)—The report fails to fix the responsibility, but it will be difficult to make the American people believe that Spain did not have some,thing to do with-it. Curtis (Kan.)—l think the time lias come to recognize the independence of Cuba, to n'qtify Spain that its inhuman policy must cease at once or this government win inter--vene. Bussell (Conn.)—Congress and the country ought to receive this message of the President and the report as the forerunner of some decisive action, delayed only for two' reasons—first, to exhaust every effort to pre-, serve peace with honor to ourselves and justice to Cuba, and. second, to prepare most •Ssetively for war.

WOOED AND MARRIED

BY CHARLOTTE M BRAEME

CHAPTER XXIV. Lady Caraven decided to follow the advice of her friend Sir Raoul, and forgive her husband. She received him in the pretty little boudoir in which the few months of her/girlish life at home had been spent. She was Standing by the window when lie entered. His step was so light and quiet that she did not hear him at first; and he looked nt her for half a minute in silent admiration. “Hildred!” he called, and at the sound of his voice a crimson flush seemed to burn her neck and face. She was quite silent for a minute, and then she turned to him and held out her hand. “Can you—do you really forgive me?’’ he asked. “I hardly dare to hope that it is true.” ' “It is quite true,” she replied; and be detected a slight tremor in her voice. "Let me ask a question in my turn! Is it true that you love me?” "Yes,” he answered. “It is as true as that heaven is above me.”

“Will you tell me how long you have loved me?” she asked quietly. “I will answer you quite truthfully, Hildred,” replied the earl. “I cannot tell you. When I first married you—l speak freely—l did not like you; to me you were simply an incumbrance that I was compelled to put up with. I saw nothing in you—neither beauty nor mind; yet we had to live together; and in some kind of way I was grateful to you. On the night of I the ball, when I saw what you had inscribed on your tablets —‘My husband’ — my heart beat faster than it had ever done ] before, and I felt the greatest inclination to take you in my arms and kiss your face a thousand times: but I could not. After that my love grew. "I am sure,” he continued, “that, when n strong chain of circumstances led me to believe you were guilty of a great crime, the strongest feeling in my heart was disappointment that you were not the angel I had taken you to be. Then, when you ■ had gone, and I was left alone, left with- | out you, I know that I loved you. I found j my life a blank; my thoughts were always j with you; my heart had gone with you. I Then I knew that I loved you with a lov- | er's love, and that I should never be hap- I py until I had won you.” A glad light came into her dark eyes, l but she made uo reply. He continued — “Hildred, as earnestly as a man can | speak, I ask you to forgive me. Forgive the base selfishness that married you for | money without love and without any I knowledge of your real worth. Forgive I the insolent neglect, the cruelty, the cold- | ness, the pain I have caused you. Forgive the last and greatest blunder of all—my unjust suspicion. I do not deserve your pardon, but I ask it.” “I forgive you,” she replied. “We will bury the past; we will talk of it no more. But, Lord Caraven, I am going to put your love to the test.” “Hildred,” he said, “do not call me Lord Caraven—try to say ‘L'lric.’ ” She looked at him with sweat, shy eyes. “Ulric,” she said, “I am going to put your love to the test.” “I may say with safety that it will bear it,” he replied. '“Our marriage was a mistake,” she said, softly—“perhaps we were not altogether to blame for that. We have made great mistakes since, in which we have both been to blame. What I propose is a year’s absence. A cousin of mine, Mrs. Glenvil, is very ill, and is ordered to Nice. I ask you to let me go with her. She will be away a year—see what that year will’ effect. If love of me has sufficient influence over you to keep you good, industrious, active, for the befiefit of others, as you are now, I shall believe that you love me. If in a year’s time you come to me and tell me that you love me better than ever, that time and absence have not changed you, I will return with you, and will make you a most loving, devoted wife. Do you accept my proposal?”

He stood for a few moments in thoughtful silence, and then he said: “Yes, I accept it —I shall be pleased to prove my sincerity to you.” The earl returned to Ravensmere, to show all needful politeness and respect for Lady Hamilton. It was a great relief to him when the doctor pronounced her well enough to return home, and he was a little surprised when he found that she regretted leaving Sir Raoul more than anyone else. The noble, honest soldier had made a great impression on the fashionable, beautiful coquette. “He is a man worth loving,” she said to herself. Then the earl returned to London to see his wife and Mrs. Glenvil off. He went with them to Dover—they had decided upon going to Paris first. He stood for a few minutes on the deck of the steamer before it sailed; he looked with longing, wistful eyes at the fact of his young wife. “Hildred, how I wish that I were going with you,” he said. “So do I,” she replied, with a frank, charming smile. “But that would not do —you must stand the test. You will come to fetch me and the year will not seem so long.” He sighed as he looked at her. “I have a kind of fear that I shall be like the naughty boy in -the story book,” he said—“l shall meet with my just punishment. Hildred, if anything should happen to me before the year is out —?” “I promise you to return at once if you are ill or in trouble,” she replied, earnestly. “My darling, give me one kiss,” he cried, suddenly. But the countess drew down her veil. “No,” she said, “that would make the parting even harder. Good-by. Heaven bless you, Ulric.” “Good-by, my wife,” he said;-and his' eyes filled with tears as he watched the steamer cutting her way through the blue waves.

I CHAPTER XXV. ’ No man ever set to work with greater zeal than did the handsome earl. He did not delay one hour in London; he went back at once to Ravensmere, only eager to begin work. There was to be no more idleness, no more dissipation, no more selfindulgence, He had made up bis mind that all the plans his wife' had contemplated and begun for the benefit of the estate should be carried out before she returned home. The model cottages should be built, and men with their families residing ip them; the schools should not only be erected, but open; the almshouses -•hould be finished, and the old women oc-

cupying them. She should find her protege, Mary Woodruff, installed as portress in one of the lodges; every wish his wife had ever expressed should be carried out, every desire fulfilled; bouses should be repaired, farms put in good order —he would neglect not a single thing that she had ever proposed or thought of. No matter what it cost, it all should be done. He took Sir Raoul into his confidence, and they found that by employing extra hands the work could be doue in time. Lord Caraven, in the midst of his labors and toils, did not forget to correspond continually with his wife. He wrote to her every week, never telling her what he was doing, but dwelling continually on his passionate love for her, on his intense desire to see her again. So the year passed away. It was thought advisable for Mrs. Glenvil to return before the English winter began, and the beginning of September was fixed upon as the time for her and the countess’ return. The earl prayed his wife to allow him to go to Nice to escort them home, as was at first arranged. She answered “No,” that her father Vould do that. She did not wish to meet, him again until she met him at home. Her father would bring her to Court Raven Station; he could meet her there and take her home.

“She is right,” said Sir Raoul; “that seems to me more fitting. She is right, as she always is.” So the day came-—a bright September day—when all the world seemed changed to the Earl Caraven. The train was due at the Court Raven Station at three in the afternoon, and the earl was to meet it. Lord Caraveu kept his word. ' The day was celebrated as a wedding day. Great tents were erected in the park, and all the children and the tenantry were feasted therein to their hearts’ content. There was nothing but rejoicing and merriment and happiness. The earl stood by the carriage door when the train stopped. There was not much time for greeting then. He clasped his wife’s bands between his own, hesitated for a moment, and then kissed her. “My wife—my darling—welcome home!’’ he said. Then he helped her into the carriage and took his se'at by her side. He saw her face grow pale with emotion as the ringing cheers of men, women, children, fell upon her ear, and, as the carriage drove slowly along, more than one rough voice cried. “Heaven bless your ladyship! Welcome home!”

They firove slowly, for the crowd was great. It increased as they drove through the park, and when the carriage stopped at the great entrance it was wonderful to see the throngs of people. The earl stood up to thank them for their kind and spontaneous greeting. Then he took his wife’s hand in his, and a beautiful smile brightened her face as she looked round upon them —there was hardly one in the vast gathering who had not received some kindness, some favor or benefit from her hands. “My friends,” he said, “every man who loves bis wife has a pet name for her. My wife is the good angel of my house.” Then they passed indoors, followed by the good wishes of all who knew them. There was a small and early dinner party at the castle; the members of it were the earl, the countess, Sir Raoul, Arley Ransome and Mrs. Glenvil. After dinner Lord Caraven drew his wife’s arm within his own. “This is our real wedding day, Hildred,” he said, “so I am not going to apologize for taking you away from our guests.” They walked across the long drawing room to the balcony where the last roses of summer were hanging and where the creepers formed a bower. “It is not cold,” he said., “Will you come out here?” They went out together and stood watching the sun set over the trees in the park. “First of all, Hildred,” said the earl, “guess what news I have for you.” "I cannot guess,” she replied. “You would never have thought it,!’ he said. “I told you in one of my letters how sorry Lady Hamilton was to leave Sir Raoul.” She looked up at him, her face full of interest. “Yes; you did,” she assented. “It has ended in this way. He met her again in London, and again at Brighton, and they are to be married at Christmas. She has given up flirting, and cares for nothing under the sun but her soldier lover.” “I nm glad of it,” said Lady Caraven. “She is a beautiful woman, sweet, gentle and gracious. Her only fault was coquetry. I think she is safe wnth Sir Raoul. He will not allow- much of that.” “Still you will own that you are surprised, Hildred?” But she did not answer him. She had placed her hand in his and was looking away at the light of the setting sun, as one in a happy dream. “I want to say something else to you, my darling,” he continued, putting his arm round her and kissing her fondly, while she nestled to his side. “I want to thank you for all you have done for me, and to tell you that I think the-greatest blessing heaven can confer uppn a man is the gift of a patient, unselfish, devoted wife—such as has been given to me.” (The end.)

Figures Mixed.

For the first time in the history of a semi-swell family it was to have the luxury of a private telephone. The battery and wiring had been put in, and all that was necessary was the estab lishment of the connections. The handsome daughter of the household waited for the service to begin. The welcome ring came at a time when she was the only member of the family at home. She rushed to the telephone and gave the answering “Hello!” “Hello!” came back cheerfully. “You’re 31.” “What!” exclaimed the girl, hardly able to believe her ears. “You’re 31,” repeated the voice. “I’m not; and don't you dare insult me. Why, I'm just a little over The voice came back over the wire a jolly laugh. “I’ll have to beg your pardon, miss. I meant that 31 was your telephone number.”

The Nomenclature Fad.

“Have you written to your niece?” “To Mary?” “Yes.” “No. I haven’t. Fact Is, I can’t remember how she spells her name lately. It’s either Marie, Marye or Malirte.”

WAR TALK IN SENATE.

Resolutions Introduced by Frye, Foraker and Rawlins. STORM GATHERS AT CAPITOL Two Senators Cail for Belligerent Action Against Spain. WANT CUBANS’ WOES ENDED Upper House of Congress a Scene of Intense Excitement. Rawlins of Utah Offers Resolution Recognizing the Independence of Cuba and Declaring War Against Spain—Allen and Foraker Offer Resolutions Recognizing Cuban Inde-pendence-Senator Mason Makes a Red-Hot Speech in Favor of WarGalleries Applaud Bellicose Sentiments. Washington correspondence: The Senate plunged into the Cuban question Tuesday with a merciless disregard for the President’s peace plan. Two Republican members of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senators Foraker and Frye, took the lead. Four resolutions on Cuba were introduced in rapid succession. Senator Frye of Maine, a conservative member of the Foreign Relations Committee, who by precedent of long service was entitled to the chairmanship of foreign relations, but yielded to Senator Davis, offered a resolution calling upon the President to intervene at once by force to stop the war in Cuba. Senator Foraker’s resolution recognized the independence of the Cuban republic. Rawlins (Utah) offered one declaring a state of war between Spain and the United States. Allen (Neb.) offered one recognizing independence and Senator Foraker said he would insist upon early consideration of his resolution. Mason (Ill.) followed the introduction of the resolutions in the Senate with a vigorous war speech. He described vividly the disaster to the Maine. He said that if ninety of the victims had been Senators or sons of Senators we would not have been forty days declaring war. Yet the lives of all Americans were sacred alike under our law and equally entitled to consideration. Mr. Mason said the catastrophe should be replied to vigorously. He could not speak for others, but for himself be was for war. This declaration brought out a vigorous outburst of applause from the galleries. The Illinois Senator declared there could be no peace so long as a European nation owns and butchers its slaves on this hemisphere. He said it was not necessary for the Maine court to fix the rcsponsibilitay. The law did that. If it was a torpedo or a mine it was a Spanish torpedo or a Spanish mine. Hence Spain must answer. He would oppose any proposition looking to indemnity, as he would ! oppose making a diplomatic incident of . the catastrophe. He would oppose any kind 01 autonomy or any plan to assist Spain, but his demand was that the Spanish flag should be driven from the western hemisphere. Neither did he believe Cuba I should be required to pay an indemnity to Spain. “We are told,” he said, “we must wait on the Spanish elections, but if Spanish elections are ns rotten as Spanish diplomacy we had better not wait. Let us awake,” said Mr. Mason, in conclusion, “to glorious war, as did our fathers — a war that shall insure the honor and respect of our flag all over the world.”

SPAIN SAYS ACCIDENT.

Madrid Experts Dispute Every Claim of American Board. The conclusions reached by the Spanish naval commission which investigated the destruction of the battleship Maine are directly opposite to those in the report of the court of inquiry submitted to Congress. The synopsis is as follows; The evidence of witnesses comparatively close to the Maine at the moment is to the effect that only one explosion occurred; that no column of water was thrown into the air; that no shock to the side of the nearest vessel was felt, nor on land was any vibration noticed, and that no dead fish were found. The evidence of the senior pilot of the harbor states that there is abundance of fish in the harbor and this is corroborated by other witnesses. The assistant engineer of works states that after explosions made during the execution of works in the harbor be has always found dead fish. The divers were unable to examine the bottom of the Maine, which was buried in the mud, but a careful examination of the sides of the vessel, the rents and breaks in which all point outward, shows without a doubt that the explosion was front the Inside. A minute examination of the bottom of the harbor around the vessel shows absolutely no sign of the action of a torpedo and the fiscal (judge advocate) of the commission can find no precedent for the ejplostfht of the storage magazines of a vessel by a torpedo.

AMERICAN EDITORIAL VIEWS.

Bow Metropolitan Newspapers Received tlie Message. Below are given extracts from editorials in various metropolitan papers, commenting upon President McKinley’s message io Congress on the Maine court’s report: The country expects Congress to act firmly, decisively and without delay.—Chicago Chronicle. The people were asked to wait for the facts. They have waited. They have the facts. What next?—Chicago Inter Ocean. Something must be done soon. The situation is no longer all in the air. There Is to be either a standup or a backdown.—Chicago Tribune. . The President humbly holds out his hat to Spain and trusts that she will drop into it something satisfactory to us, or, at least, to herself.—New York Journal. The time to remove this curse upon America has arrived. A policy of delay Is useless. The crisis will be sure to come back bigger and uglier than ever. Such is the substantially unanimous opinion of the people.—St. Louis Globe-Democrat. Spain is as directly, immediately responsible for the destruction of the Maine and tlie fearful murder of her 266 brave men as If the names and the rank of the unspeakable assassins who wrought this satanie work were blazoned ou the angry heavens.—Boston Journal. In a little while we will know Svbether or not Spain proposes to approach us with that humiliation which the circumstances demand. If she does not, then will be the time for another executive message of far different character and for Congressional action.— Cincinnati Commercial-Tribune. What the Cubans will not accept the American publie will not accept. N,, sane and true American citizen wants war. Neither does stick an American want to see this Cuban revolution stopped before there has been laid immovable the foundation of free Cuba.—New York Sun. What are we going to do about if? J s our government to treat the wanton and treacherous destruction of the ship, the immeasurable insult to our flag, and the murder of 266 American sailors as a mere •■incident" in a controversy about Cuba, which it is arranging to settle by a diplomatic dicker of some World.

CONGRESS

In the House on Wednesday R. T. Thorp was given the seat from the fourth Virginia district Sidney P. Epes, who obtained the certificate of election, was unseated by a strict party vote. The Republicans without a break voted for Thorp, and the Democrats and Populists, with the exception of Mr. Howard of Alabama. a Populist, voted for Epes. Mr. Thorp contested the seat of Mr. Kenney in the last Congress and was seated. The Republican majority in the House, which was 52 when the House convened last summer, is now 54. In the Senate the bill for the relief of the Maine victims was passed without debate. Senator Gallinger related his observations in Cuba. The Senate then resumed consideration of the bill making further provision for a civil government in Alaska, mid later took up the national quarantine bill. Its consideration had not been concluded when the Senate adjourned. Debate on the naval appropriation bill consumed the day in the House on Thursday. Adjourned until Friday. In the Senate Mr. Thurston in a thrilling speech told what he saw in Cuba. A number of bills on the calendar were passed. Mr. Bate presented resolutions in memory of the late Senator Isham G. Harris of Tennessee, and eulogies were delivered by Mr. Bate, Mr. Morrill (Vermont), Mr. Morgan (Alabama), Mr. Hoar (Massachusetts), Mr. Walthall (Mississippi). Mr. Hawley (Connecticut). Mr. Cockrell (Missouri). Mr. Stewart (Nevada). Mr. Chilton (Texas; and Mr. Turley (Tennessee). The Senate adjourned until Monday. Friday in the House was spent in consideration of the naval appropriation bill. There was much filibustering and only four pages of the bill were gone over. Adjourned until Saturday. The Senate was not in session. The House spent Saturday in consideration of the naval appropriation bill. A strong effort was made during the day to increase the appropriation for the naval reserves, but it failed. Another effort to have the government uniform the naval militia also failed. The main contest of th<v day was over a proposition to decrease the number of timber dry docks authorized by the bill from four to three. It led Mr. Cannon, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, who made the motion, to discuss the whole question of war preparations and to inveigh against undue extravagance. He was voted down—-78 to 107. An amendment was adopted to permit the Secretary of the Navy to use any portion of Michigan’s naval militia fund to repair the damage to the Yantic. A message from President McKinley, outlining the findings of the Maine board of inquiry, was sent to the House on Monday. After being read it was promptly referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Mr. Walker of Massachusetts announced the death of his colleague. Mr. Simpkins, and moved that the House adjourn out of respect to his memory. This was done, and Speaker Reed appointed four members of the Foreign Relations Committee, to which the Maine report had been referred, to attend the funeral. In the Senate the President’s message and the report of the board of inquiry were both read, after which the Senate adjourned. After passing a bill to pension the widow of Gen. John L. Stevenson at the rate of S3O per month the House devoted the whole day Tuesday to the (■onsideration of the bill to pay certain claims for stores and supplies furnished the Union by loyal citizens of the South during the war. There was a bitter contest over a claim of $217,000 preferred by the heirs of the widow Robert E. Lee. She inherited the claim from Mrs. Fitzhugh, her aunt, who, it was admitted, was loyal. The claim was finally stricken out, but the House recessed before the bill was passed. It provides for the payment of about 850 claims, aggregating about sl,200,000. At an evening session pension bills were passed. In the Senate, after the introduction of Cuban resolutions and a speech by Senator Mason, seventy-four private pension bills were passed.' Then Mr. Tillman presented resolutions concerning the death of the late Joseph A. Earle, Senator from South Carolina. Eulogies were delivered by Mr. McLaurin, Mr. Chandler. Mr. Clay, Mr. Spooner, Mr. Chilton, Mr. Cannon, Mr. Kenney. Mr. McEuery and Mr. Tillman.

News of Minor Note.

The authorities of Burlington. Vt„ are looking for Earl Sheldon. 8 years old, who, it is feared, was kidnaped Feb. 18. Judge Campbell of San Francisco has decided that a cat is not a domestic animal and cannot, therefore, be claimed as the property of any one. William Johnson of Ciaremore. I. T., shot and killed United States Marshal Arnold and was himself killed by Deputy Busey, while resisting arrest. State Labor Commissioner Johnson of Kansas has compiled a report on the subject of inequalities of taxation. He says small owner pays the taxes. English newspapers hint that the French navy mobilization may be in connection with the impending rupture between the United States and Spain. Capt. Sobral, Spain’s late naval attache at Washington, who has plans of the United States coast defenses, has been appointed on the staff of the admiralty. In accordance with the wishes of Farmer Appleby of Hempstead, N. Y., his widow caused his remains to be cremated and scattered the ashes over the fields. The winter’s gold output of the Klondike is estimated at .$9,000,000, which will be sent down the Yukon by the first steamer after the opening of navigation. Miss M. C. Stone of Roxbury. Mass., has made up her mind to possess some Klondike gold. She has arranged to go with a party of twenty-four men. and they expect to start about the middle of Apr’l in a schooner around the horn. Provisions for two years will be taken. There is a movement on foot to organize a stock company in Houston. Texas, for the purpose of making that place a tobacco market, to serve as ah cutlet for the heavy crops of that State. Three thousand acres will be planted in Harris and the counties immediately surrounding Houston. There have been terrific storms throughout the British‘lslands. Trains'were imbedded in heavy snow drifts, telegraph wires were down, people were frozen t<J death while traversing the moors, a hurricane swept all the coasts, producing tremendous seas, and great loss of shipping and' human life. The cattlemen of the lower and •southwestern districts of Texas are experiencing much trouble and loss of stock by depredations of mountain lions, wolves and coyotes. The loss in the mountain districts bordering on the Rio.Grande river will reach an average of 25 per cent. Lambs, calves and colts fall a prey ,tc these Voracious wild beasts