New-York tribune., 1889-12-31
GENERAL DOMESTIC EVENTS.

Among the most interesting ana important
events Of the year is the assembling, IN response
to Joint resolution of Congress, Of Conference
Of representatives from all the nations of the
American Continent to consider measures 10 pro-
mote international peace and commerce. The
resolution under which the Conference convenes
was proposed in the United States Senate by Mr.
Frye, and in terms revived the invitation former
" extended by Secretary Blaine during President
Garfcld's brief Administration Favorable re-
sponscs came from all of the States invited SO
that the Conference includes every sovereign
State on the Continent. 1t is an interesting cir
cumstancc that it comes together under the
auspices of Mr. Blaine, who endeavored to bring it
about eight years ago. Mr. Blaine acts as its
president It's members have made very com
pletc journey over the United. States, studying
our manufactures and other great interests, as
well as our system of sef-governmcnt. The plans
of the Conference contemplate the consideration
of schemes looking 10 improved international
communication by ship and rail- to customs
union or other equtab tariff arrangement; to
identical customs port and sanitary regulations;
TO q. continental system Of weights and measures;
to continental monetary arrangement; and to
an international court of arbitration. The dele
gates TO the Conference are not, under the terms
Of the invitation, empowered to bind their sew
eral countries TO any definite conclusions. 1t Is
merely expected that understanding may be
reached which shall hereafter be fruitful of prac-
tical results Many Of the delegations have,
however, a further duty to perform in connection
with proposed treaties with this country,-a duty
wholly distinct from their service in the Confer
cnce.
One result of the Samoan controversy was TO
.g
the port of Apia just in time TO encounter one of
the most fearful hurricanes ever known in the
South Pacific Ocean. The harbor contained at
the time March ~ the American men-of-war
Trenton. Vandalia and Nipsic; the English cruiser
Calliope, and the German men-of-war Olga, Adler
and Eber Tie Calliopc, by good fortune and
good scamanship, got out to sea and escaped
without loss. but the American and German forces
were both subjected TO heavy trials The Trenton
and Vandalia were total losses, and the Nipsc,
tbouqh bcached and saved, was cruelty damaged.
Tho Trcntons crew without exception saved,
but various accidents caused loss Of seven men
to the Nipsic and Of four officers ana tnlrty-nne
men to the Vandalia. IN whom was lnchided her
commander Captain SChoonmaker. The German
corycttcs Adler and Ebcr were sunk and the Olga
practically destroyed, and ninety-siX Of their
crews were drowned Tie samoan natives DE
havcd with great bravery, and tEelr eoou on oIhceS
pA'3i''N
covery.
4 calamity which will long he remembered for
its terrible consequences occurred on the last day
of Max in the COEemaugh Valley, In Pennsyl-
vania The waters Of an immense reservoir at
IOhnstOwn burst through defective wall ana
swcnt with rcmorseess fury down long, narrow
channel destroying the city of Johnstown ana
fonr villages The loss of human life was uneN-
amnlcd eAccpt in the deadly records Of earth
males Fully 5000 people were drowned and
twenty millions Of property destroyed Inc IN
cidents of the flood, and of the weary weeks OF
gloom and anguish which followed lis deyasta,
lion during which the dead were recovered and
hurled and the wrecks in some measure cleared
away. form chapter altogether sickenlng. me
entire country sprang at once to The relief OF the
more distressed uufortuna;cS, and S3 600 600 were
raised and distributed. in their behalf.
Tho vcar has been more than usually productive
NJ disastrous fires cOnilagration in Seattle dur
ing q srring consumed the entire business por-
ton of that thriving city, the capital OF the Puget
Sonnd country. Another in September did pre-
ciscly the same work for Spokane Falls, the loss
in each case amounting TO quite S5,OOO,OO0.
LYNN. Mass, in the month of December was raw
agcd by fire which practically destroyed its
shoe manufacturing district, and few days lateS
tbc leather centre of Boston was buried. These
losses also amounted each TO S5,OO0,Q00. Fire in
smrance companies have Jared badly in 1889,
their losses being fully Sl4,OOO,OOO.
Much interest has been developed in pro-
nosed Worlds Fair, to be held in 1892 COM
pncmnrating the l00th anniversary Of Americas
discoyery by Columbus. Four great cities, New
VorL Chicago, Washington and 81. Louis, are
rivai' candidates for the honor Of entertaining
the exposition. New-York and Chicago have
each raised guarantee funds TO cover the eX
nenses of the show, and the controversy at the
Close of the year is awaiting Congresss dec sion.
Durnr the last days Of April and the first of
Nav in the city Of New-Nork imposing cere-
monies were held celebrating the Tooth ami
rnrsory OF the inauguration OF George Was ing
ron os the first President Of tie United States.
The events commemoratng this stor G incident
,rore nrepared by renresc taIive committee OF
,ho citizens of New York. They included naval
narade OF great beauty on the bay. Centennial
RaiJ a Presidential Reception, special religious
s"ryices al ST. Pauls Chapel an Grafton by
Cbauncey VI. Dcpew. military parade OF great
snIendor and magnitude, banquet and Il mag
n'fIcent display OF fireworks The President was
in attendance upon the most Of these ceremonies
coming from Washington City over the route
which his most ilustrions predecessor had
travelled century before
The FIRST squadron of the new American navy.
includin. the three Roach cruisers. the Chicago.