Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-09

inAuehce oI european powers
that are concerned in the affairs of Chilli
and Peru. The direct interest of the
United States in such a condition of affairs
arises from our guarantee of the neutrali-
ty of the Isthmus, as given in the treaty
of 1916.
FRANCO-AMERICAN CLAIMS.
1t has been reported that the French
American claims commission has rem
dered decision under which payment can
be made for slaves. This is erroneous, as
an examination of the treaty would show
that compensation for slaves is especially
barred. The decision of the commission
is that person who purchased slave
in 1859 is not for that rea-
son barred as a : claimant before
the commission. The counsel of the
United States took the contrary view. but
the court by a majority of two to one
overruled the United States. In 1848,
when: Lamartine came into power, he is
sued decree declaring that any French
maj who owned slaves two years after the
issuance of the decree should forfeit his
to ten years, and subsequently modified
it so that no Frenchman should lose
his citizenship who owned slaves by in i.
heritance or marriage. A purchase of
slaves alone would forfeit the citizenship.
This action of the French government,
however, was merely declaratory. There
was mo court provided to adjudicate
the loss of citizenship. When
case was reached before
the commission, when it was
proved that man purchased slave after
1858, Governor Boutwell,, counsel for the
United States, raised the point that he was
barred as claimant. The courts decision
has not been printed, but it is understood
to be that the claimant is not barred for
the reason that inasmuch as France did
not appoint court TO adjudicate the ques-
ton of oitiHenship, or to declare forfeit
ure, it is not for the United States to as
sumo that citizen had forfeited his
rights.
The difference in the amount of money
to be taken from the treasury, if the rul-
ing of the oourt shall be sustained is not
very much, as there are very few claimants
before the commission who could be
barred.
THE SHIPPING INTEREST.
It is supposed that the debate on the
bill for the improvement of American
shipping interests will run about two days
longer. The bill contains some points
upon which members of the special COM
mittes that reported it will differ, and an
attempt will be made by other members of
the house to amend so as to extend gov
eminent aid for the establishment of
American steamship lines to foreign
ports. Two appropriation bills are
awaiting action by the house, but the
committee on appropriations will not press
them until the shipping bill is disposed Of.
This is the first time for many years that a
general bill for the removal of the
prosperity of the American shipping ma
rins has been under discussion in the
house, and 1t is the general opinion that
the house really means to attempt valuable
reforms in the navigation laws. The COM
mittee were unanimous upon one point at
least, and that was that no policy with ref
erence to the removal of American foreign
trade would be successful unless it looked
to the building of iron steamships in the
United States, and upon this point Mr..
Dingley, of Maine, remarked that if Eng
land should engage in war now with a
country able to put cruisers upon the sea,
when 81 per cent. Of the produce of the
West is being shipped in foreign, mainly
English vessels, all of the produce of the
West, shipped in English vessels would be
liable to seizure, and confscation by the
power at war with Great Britain. The only
security against this is to encourage the
building of American ships, so the pro-
duce of the country may be carried under
the flag of the United States.
THE DENvBR PosTOFFICE.
A case is pending before Secretary Folger
which will demonstrate whether, as has
often been said, Tom Murphy of New York,
runs the administration. bill passed the
last session of congress for public build
ing at Denver. There was quite a local
competition touching the site upon which
it should be placed. whereupon Secretary
Folger appointed a commission,
two of whom were his personal
friends, and the other the supervising
architect of the treasury, to make an in
spection and recommend the site. The
commission reported in favor of piece
of property belonging to Governor Tabro.
This selection was approved by the per-
sons interested in what is known as the
Windsor hotel property. It is said that
after the return of the original commits
sion, another commission, consisting of
one man, was sent to Denver upon the
same business. For some reason the selec-
ton made by the commission has not been
confirmed. The story here is that the de-
lay is caused because sxCollector Murphy,
of New York, has been retained to oppose
the report of the commission
in the interests of the Windsor
property, which is owned by party of
New York capitalists.
A QUESTION OF vKRACITY.
Mr.. Cerlisle's friends express great sar-
prise at the contradiction by authority
from Mr.. Blackburn of the statement that
he pledged himself in his Cynthiania