The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-12-17
DEMOCRATS ENCOURAGED.
THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS AND
THE FORCE BILL.
Psstponement Looked Upon Sc Favo, able
to Defeat of the Biii-Cieveiapd and In
Washington News and Notes.


Washington News and Notes.
WASHINGTON, Dee. l6.-lSpecial. The
Democratic Senators feel encouraged be-
cause the Republican caucus last night
postponed action on the Force bill. They
think that IL the friends of the Force bill
had been strong enough to have carried the
caucus they would have compelled vote,
as it is potent fact that de-
lay is adverse 10 the chances OF
the bill. Senator Hoar has for days been
pleading with the Republicans TO hasten
action on the bill, saying that delay means
defeat. Senator German agrees with this
opinion. He still comedies that the out
come is involved in some doubt, because OF
the pressure being applied by the admins
trati0n in favor II the bill. but he thinks
that the indications favor the defeat Of the
bill; that the adjourned Republican caucus
to meet tomorrow night will either again
postpone final action or will decide the fate
Of the Force oill adversely.
CLEVELAND AND INDIANA.
/ A prominent Democrat of Indiana, who
is neither for nor against the nomination OF
ex. President Cleveland In 1892, in conyer
satlOn with THE TIMES correspondent to-
day, said: IL want TO call your attention to
one fact in connection with the question
of nominating a candidate for President
that has been overlooked by the press. Now
it is a fixed rule with us Democrats in In
diana TO hold our convention on the sth
January preceding the election. Hence on
the Sth OF January, 1892, the Democrats Of
Indiana will meet in convention to nOml-
nate State ticket, headed by candi-
date for Governor and 10 name dele
gates to the National Convention. / have
no hesitation in saying that unless marked
change OF sentiment shall take place h.
tween now and then the convention will be
for Cleveland. Now, suppose Indiana, 4
State admitted 10 be essential 20 Democratic
success, shall instruct its delegates for
Cleyelands Don't you see how that
would influence the other State
whose conventions will preced
that of New York for the Empire
tate makes il a rule to hold its conventions
only shcrt time comparatively before III
meeting Of the National Convention! IL
short, OHIO, Illinois, and other Western ant
Southern States will speak ahead OF New
York, and should they follow Indiana IN
proclaimlng for Cleveland you can easily
see the effect"
The Democrat who thus spoke was Gene
raj Mclean, Of Indiana. who was Deputy
Comm .siOner of Pensions during the Cleye-
| land administration.
WHITE OAK RIVER.
The Secretary Of War to-day transmitted
| 10 Congress the report OF the preliminary
examination by Captain w. ii. Bixby, OF
the engineer corps, OF White Oak river from
Roberts Landing to Golfers Crossing,
| North Carolina.
Captain Bixby reports that he made the
examination in person, under authority OF
the River and Harbor bill of 1888. and then
recommended it as worthy Of improvement
| for steamboats, from it's mouth upward
| twenty-nine miles, TO near sabiston's
bridge, and thence for flat-bOats twenty-one
| miles farther to Collins ford (or Collins
crossing) at total cost of $4,000. TO be (fOr
advantageous work. voted at the rate OF
about $4,000 or more per year. Roberts
| Landing is about four miles below Sabis-
toms bridge. No funds have as yet been
voted for this work. Since this examina-
| tion and report there have been no special
| changes or developments at White Oak
river to cause any special change in the
| above report and its recommendations.
That portion OF the river from Roberts
| (Or FOscue's) Landing TO Collins crossing
| Tor ford) is recommended for improvement
as follows:
FOR STEAMBOAT NAVIGATION.
Roberts landing, four miles, to Sabiston's
bridge, $500; for flatboat navigation, Sabis-
toms bridge, twenty-one miles, to Collins
crossing, $1,000; superiptendence and con-
ungencies, ~ per cent, Sl,OjO. Total, S4,-
$50,
For advantageous work this amount
should be voted in a single sum. Smaller
appropriations will increase considerably
| The final cost Of the work.
Colonel Craighill and Chief Of Engineers
| Casey approve the recommendation.
CAPITAL NOTES.
The exports OF breadstuhs from Rich.
mond for the month OF November, 1890,
amounted to SGS,o73, and from Newport
News to $lj3,274.
The following pensions have been granted
to Nirginians James Healey, Alexander
l.. Robertson, Hen Wood, ii. McDermott,
Theodore Meyer, William NJ. Riley, John Z.
Liesengong, Patrick Cavanaugh, Thomas
Lawrence, Alfred I.ockett, Michael Lynch,
| Charles McBryn". ana Frederick Hess, all
of the Soldiers Home.
A pOstOttlce has been established at LOl-
| is, Halifax county, with Thomas ID. Lofts
| as postmaster.
The Composite Tonnage and Shipping
subsidy bill, recently prepared by the House
| Committee ON Merchant Marine and Fish
cries. will be called up in the House under
Jrder of the Committee on Rules, settiD.
apart three days for its consideration. The
committee decided at meeting to-day to
report such An order. The days will prob
ably be Wednesday. Thursday, and Friday
THE NATIONAL BANKING SYSTEM.
A bill providing for a reorganization OF
the national banking system, which Con-
gressman Walker, of Massachusetts, has
been engaged in preparing TOR some time
past and which he thinks will do TO relieve
The present financial difficulty, was
introduced IN the House to-day, One TED
ture of the bill is the creation OF a
board OF expert advisors to the Comptroller
| the Currency to be composed of the presi-
,ients of the redemption banks Of the cOun-
try. This board, it is provided, Is TO meet
once a wear, and il may be called together
Ofteper The members OF the board are TO
advise on changet and the execution Of de-
sirable existing laws concerning banking.
One-haf Of the promissoFy circulating
notes are TO be printed and issued
as at present, but upon the coin and com
certificate reserve Of the banks the otner
half is to be purchased with lawful
money absolutely Of the Government in
bank. and ninety per cent. OF the proceeds
of this halt is to be used to extiDgulsb
the present greenback circulation, the
remaining ten per cent. 10 be Kept Oy
the Government as redemption fund
instead of the banks furnishing redcmp-
ton fund az at present. The bill provides
no tax on circulation or on the banks In
any way, provided they conform literally to
the law, but it does provide system OF
taxation so arranged as TO allow in some
cases the use Of theC reserve, the theory
being that a reserve that in po circum-
stances can be used in cases to be OF value.
The bill permits an immediate net expan-
sion of the currency 10 $3.50, 600 900, but Is 81
adjusted as to put il within the power OF
the Comptroller Of the Currency to
allow an expansion, and TO compel a
contraction under certain conditions.
IL is al.o provided that at
least one-half of the reserve shall be kept In
gold coins and gold certificates. and that
one-half may be kept in silver and silver
certificates. The bill permits the national
banks in existence under the present laws
! 10 reorpanlze under the new system.
TO PROHIBIT SPECULATION IN GOLD.
A bill 70 prohibit speculation in gold and
silver bullion aud certificates representing
deposits OF gold and silver bullion with
trust companies and other organizations
was introduced in the House to-day by Mr
!. HOPKINS, OF Illinois. The bill makes II un
nd fxa ffnua n