The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-07-16
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Senators Sherman and Chandler have buried
their long standing dislike of each other and
are working shoulder to shoulder in the interest
of the outrageous Federal election bill Ap-
parently Mr.. Sherman has forgotten that Mr..
Chandler, some years ago. publicly accused him
of having become rich by trading upon the
secrets which he obtained knowledge Of by
virtue of his official position.
The Republicans here who favor the Federal
election bill are moving heaven and earth to
work up public sentiment in favor of that
measure. Every mail which leaves Washing
ton is heavily burdened with piteous appeals to
Republican editors to come out squarely in
favor OF the bill, and a caucus of Republican
Senators was held last night for the purpose of
compelling those opposed to fall into line.
The department of Justice has finally obtain
ed the exact facts in reference to the English
company which attempted to seiza the penin-
sula of Lower California from the Mexican
government. and establish one for themselves.
Attorney General Miller sent Col e. Foster
out there to discover the exact truth. He has
just returned with it.
The English company .entitlei " The Mexican
Land and Colonization Co.. had actually made
every preparation to carry out such plot; and
nothing but its premature exposure prevented
its consummation. Col Foster says that he
does not believe there will be any further at
tempt to seize Lower California. The English
company which had inspired the scheme, is
worried by the Mexican government. The evil
dence against the company is absolute and can
not be controverted One of the most significant
incidents in this connection was the presence
on the ground of Major Scott. general manager
of the company. He is an officer of the Royal
Engineers"
The selection of Il military man for this posi-
tion as he was only recently appointed to it.
seemed to bear a significant aspect to the
authorities here. He was an officer of the
British army, and as soon as the plot was ex-
posed. he returned to England and resumed his
military duties. He had never resigned his
commission He was merely over here on a
leave of Absence The company has placed it
self in an awkward predicament by its treason
able practices. and is liable to have its property
confscated by the Mexican government.
Sen:r Romero, the Mexican minister here,
has engaged the best counsel, both Mexican and
American, to investigate the case. They have
visited the department of Justice and examined
all the evidence obtained by Col. Foster. and
the department is awaiting Mexico's action.
and expect it to take the initiative.
The consideration of the two shipping bills
was resumed in the Senate. Mr.. Reagan said
that subsidies would build up the mercantile
marine. and he heartily agreed; but the tariff
would prevent commerce. That the United
States had revenue system that approached
prohibition to imports. and it was merely
waste Of money to grant subsidies to companies
of commerce. Mr.. Frye, of course, supported
the bill.
Representative Cogswell has introduced bill
appropriating $1,000 COO to establish industrial
training schools for negroes. and to provide
land for them to be held under leases, with the
privilege of making subsequent purchase. The
bil authorizes the President to appoint com
mission of five men who shall purchase ten
square miles of good arabic land in any of the
Southern States. to be divided into 100 acre lots
for settlement by the negroes. They shall be
required to pay the government five bales OF
cotton per annum
There is great joke going the rounds here at
present. and has not yet got out of town Sena-
tors get it Off on each other over their lunches,
and politicians over their milk. 1t is in con-
nection with the recent deVelopm ents of facts
in respect to the audacity of the English COM
pany in attempting to steal the peninsula of
Lower California.
The plan is to get an auditor interested in the
subject and then tell him that the English COM
pany had also sent over to England 100JO hair
less dogs from Peru. This matter must be
dwelt upon until the victims curiosity tempts
him to inquire rs to what difference the m after
could make with Peru.
The answer is that they would have no more
Peruvian Bark.