Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-11-06
HOME AND ABROAD.
THE CHICAGO STRIKE LIKELY
TO FIZZLE OFT.
Severe Earthquake Yesterday-The
Next House-Troublc Expected
in London Next Tuesday.
,IsrrclA1 BY TELEGRAPH TO THE KEooHD-USIoS.l
DOMESTIC NEWS.
Concerning Worn Coin.

Concerning Worn Coin.
WASHINGTON, November 5th.-A few
subordinate officials of the Government
cling to the idea that the United States
statutes may be abrogated by The executive
departments without the a;d of Congress-
Land Commissioner Sparks memorable
order of June 4, 1886, repeating the
Homestead Timber Culture and Desert
Land Acts, which order was revoked by
Secretary Lamar twenty-four hours after
wards, was the first indication of this opin-
ion of executive prerogatives held by Of
fcials. The second came to light to-day in
a disagreement between the Treasury De-
partment and an official of Sparks Bureau,
who does not seem TO hold to the liberal
opinion of his superior. In July last Acting
Secretary of the Treasury Fairchild directed
the Customs officers and Sub-treasurers,
when offered gold coin that was under the
minimum weight allowed by law, to place
upon the same a distinctive mark to indi-
cate thatit was light in weight and to refuse
the same as a legal tender. Fairchild re-
cognizes that the law commands that all
gold coin shall be held to be legal tender
and acceptable by the United States offi-
cials when under the standard weight, in
proportion to their actual weight. but he
saws il is not convenient for the Treasury
must. after marking the light coin, reject
il. The holder himself must take the coin
to the mints and there have it tested and
receive in return for il full-weight coin or
check. This order was received by the
Sub-Treasurer at San Francisco, among
other officials, and when Receiver Thomas
J. Sherwood, of the Marysville Land Office,
sent 81 600 to the sub-Treasury for deposit
in September, the Treasurer selected some
$57, in gold coin, stamped it with a steel
die as light" and returned it to Sher-
wood. The latter found himself with this
gold coin on his hands so mutilated that
neither bankers nor business men would
receive it. He addressed letter to the
sub-Treasurer, asking him by what right
he refuses tc receive gold coin of the United
States, and further, by what right he vio-
lated the law of the United States and
mutilates this coin. He says he will re-
turn the coin to the sub-Treasury, as part
of his deposit, and if it is not accepted he
will have Justice if he has to carry the case
to the highest Court in the land. The sub
Treasurer transmitted Sherwood's letter to
the Secretary of the Treasury, with other
correspondence in the case, and it was to-
day sent to the Commissioner of the Gen
eral Land Office. Mr.. Sparks, upon read
ing it this afternoon, stated that he upheld
and supported his subordinate in every par
ticular. Sherwood is Republican, and an
appointee of previous administration.
The Next House.
WASHINGTON, November 5th.-It is yet
impossible to accurately compute the
Democratic majority in the next House,
owing to the uncertainty in seven or eight
districts where a recount will be required
to determine the result. In the doubtful
districts the chances all favor the return of
Democrats, and Mcpherson, Of the Repub-
lican Congressional Committee, to-day con-
cedes q Democratic majority of at least
twelve. There are four Labor candidates
elected, and these gentlemen will in all
probability act with the Democrats on
every question save that of tariff. Samuel
G. Hopkins. elected to Congress from the
Sixth Virginia District on the Labor ticket,
said yesterday: " | am Democrat and was
elected as such. have been a Democrat
all my life, and never voted any but the
Democratic ticket and never expect to-
The other Labor candidates are said to be
of Democratic antecedents.
Carlisle's election now seems assured,
and he will unquestionably be elected
Speaker of the Fiftieth Congress. Randall
probably will not undertake to be 4 candi-
date against him.
CAUSES OF DEFEAT.
Representative Watson, of Indiana. in
explaining the causes of Democratic defeat,
saws. have found no opposition TO the
Administration. | have not heard man
say a word against it. The distribution
of patronage has undoubtedly been an i'm
portant factor in the campaign, but nearly
80 of the 143 Democratic members OF the
House failed to secure denomination, and
the defeat of the new candidates can't be
ascribed to any personal mistakes by them
in dealing with the patronage" Wash
ington politicians aseribe the reduction Of
the Democratic majority in the House to
as many causes as were assigned to explain
Blaine's defeat for the Presidency. In the
latter case it seemed mainly due to lack
of sufficient number of votes.
Anything for Votes.
New York, November 5th.-A curious
intrigue is alleged to be on foot at the City
Hall, with a view of bridging over the
ehasm between the United Democracy and
the Knights of Labor. 1t is said to have
the support of Mayor Grace and other lead
ing men of the party. In view of the large
vote cast for Henry George, it is proposed
that the Workingmen's party should have
representatives in one or more OF the I'M
portant heads of departments, the appoint
ments to which devolve upon the new
Mayor. Hewitt. The latter has gone so faI
as 10 promise to take the question into con-
sideratiOn between now and the end of the
wear. The Department of Public Works
controls large patronage, and q Knight oi
Labor in that position might be enabled tc
serve his party to advantage.
The Lights on BedIow's Island.
NEW YORK, November 5th.-The engi-
neer in charge of lighting the Bartholdi
statue is striving ito remedy the defects OF
the system now in use. Eight electric
lights over the whole statue by means of
rehectors, have so far only shown the god
dess below her shoulders. The balance OF
the figure has been hidden in a deep
shadow, while the torch seems to have no
connection with the rest of the statue.
The Lighthouse Board will provide for
keeping a light in the torch. The commit
tee have provided funds for maintaining
the lights at the base for the present.
After their money gives out the Govern
ment may be requested to continue the
lights, if / in the meantime they should
prove a success. 1t is quite possible how
ever, that by common consent the base
light will be discontinued. The harbor
pilots say that Bedlows Island lights give
the smaller crafts no trouble and are OF
great service to steamers.
Eastern 1saclnSs
WASHINGTON, November 5th.-The FIRST
race to-day, one and one-siXteenth miles,
Perices won. Ten Strike second, Nellie
Van third. Time, l;495.
The second race, seven furlongs, frankie
B. won, Zamora second, Lancaster third
Time, 10.
The third race, handicap for three-year-
olds, one and one-quarter miles, Boaz won,
Irish Pat second, Gonfalon third. Time,
2:09l.
The fourth race, one mile. Ponteo won,
Lizzie Dwyer second, Ferg Kyle third,
Time, l:42.
The fifth race, handicap steeplechase, full
course, Shamrock won, Tennessee second
Abraham third. Time Az.
A NInIionalre's Illness.
New YoRK, November 5th.-John Jacob
Astor is seriously i'll at his home. For sew
eral days past he has not been able to leave
his house. Last night his handsome man.
sion was in darkness, save for a dim light
in the lower hall, and another in the sick
room on the second floor. His physicians
are in constant attendance. About four
years ago he arranged his affairs with a
view of avoiding testamentary litigation,
and secured the family succession to the
bulk of the Astor estate by transferring the
enormous property inherited from his
father, William B. Astor, with all its in
crease, to his son, William Waldorf Astor,
ex-Minister to Italy.
Carada Pacific Reaching Ont