The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-08-12

sarily imply that the Mexican government will
refuse to set him at libery and go TO war.
Speaking of this feature of the affair tonight,
Secretary Bayard said both countries were
pledged by the treaty Of 1913 to exhaust every
possible means of effecting q peaceful settle
ment Of all political questions. Should Mexico
persist in her present attitude the question
would then arise as to what action should be
taken by this country to enforce acquiescence
in its demands The rupture Of diplomatic ne
gotiatiOns would naturally follow, but in this
connection it may be stated that the rumOred
resignation of Minister Jackson has no signif-
canoe. Secretary Bayard says that he has re-
ceived no intimation of Mr. Jacksons resgna-
ton, although it is quite possible that he may
wish to come home. The other question which
has added fuel to the flames on the Mexican
border-the judicial murder of a Mexican nat
uTalized in this country, who had been illegally
eItradited by the Texan authOrities-is in pro-
cess of settlement, and it is thought here that
the murderer will be hung by the Mexican gov
eminent.
TESTIMONIAL TO MR.. CARLISLE.
1t is not too much to say that the House has
never been presided over by a more perfectly
fair and impartial officer OF either party than
Speaker Carlisle. The Republican members
have never had the least occasion to complain
that they were not on all occasions treated with
respect and consideration, and every legisla-
tive right which belonged TO them conceded
without question. Two or three months ago
several Of the leading Republicans of the House
conceived the idea of rendering to Speaker
Carlisle testimonial of some kind in appre-
citation of his uniform courtesy and fairness to
political opponents as well as political friends
in his administration of his office as Speaker.
A handsome and ornamental solid silver serv-
ice, costing about $500, was procured, and for
warded by express to the home of the Speaker
at COvington, Ky. Last Wednesday Mr.. Car
Isle was handed letter on parchment to ac-
company the testimonial, signed by all those
who took part in it, and expressing their re-
gard for him as a man and as an official He
expressed his appreciation of the motives which
prompted the compliment, and said that while
it had been his rule never to accept presents,
considering the occasion and the circumstances,
the act was so kind and graceful as to exact the
warmest response from him.
FITZ-JoHN PORTER RETIRED.
The Fitz-John Porter case is settled at last.
The final act was the placing of his name on the
retired list of the army with the rank and pay
of Colonel, at S2,625 year. This was done
last week by order of the President in accord
ance with the recent act of Congress. Gen. Por-
ter is now a Police Commissioner of New York
city, and the question whether he is eligible to
that Office in view of his restoration to the army
has been raised. Gen. Porter, however, con-
tends that there is no law 70 prevent a retired
officer OF the army from holding State or mu-
nicipal office. On the other hand, the New
York Tribune asserts that "there can be no
doubt that if an officer on the active list of the
army is disqualified from holding the office of
Police Commissioner, so also is an officer of the
retired list for he is still amenable the rules
and regulations of the service the same as if he
was on the active list except that he is with
drawn from command"
HE PoCKETED 1T.
The Morrison surplus resolution lies in the
heap of Congressional debris The President did
not vetoit; he simply killed itby not signing it.
This course was just as effeetual as a message
of disapprOval. The great number of turgid
speeches made on both sides of the resolution
will not be wasted, as they will be used as cam
paign ammunition. Few of those who advo-
Gated the resolution believed the President
would sign il, but all had the opportunity to
put themselves on record. The President EVIL
IDENTIFY believes that the Secretary of the Treas
ury, with the discretionary powers conferred
upon him by existing laws, is able to grapple
successfully with the surplus question.
1T COSTS $1,000 DAY.
ThetOtal amount appropriated by the present
Congress, exclusive of the permanent annual
appropriations and including the payment of
the Alabama awards, the amount for the increase
of the navy and miscellaneous appropriations,
is in round numbers $265, 100000. The CORE
spending appropriations last year were S219,-
100000; in 1884, Sl76000,0 900, and in 1888,
S23s, 000,000 The permanent annual appropri-
ations aggregate Sl09, 100000, making the total
appropriations this year 1914, 100000.
OUR DEFENsELEss DEFENsEs.
The Notifications appropriation bill, after
passing both Houses of Congress, failed in con-
ference. The Senate conferees were willing to
reduce the total approTri ttion made by the bill
to 100000, but this proposition was not ac-
ceptable to the House eOnferees, and eonse-
quently there will be no fund available for the
preservation and repair OF Notifications during
the recess.
THE GRANT TROPHIES
Both Houses of Congress at the last moment
adopted joint resolution accepting from Will
liam III. Vanderbilt and Julia Dent Grant OBJ
jects of value and art presented by various for
eign governm- hts to the late Ulysses S. Grant.
They are accepted with grateful acknowledge
ment," and are to be held by the United States
and preserved and protected in the National
Museum for the use and inspection of the people
of the United States.
HENDERSON HILL