Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-01
SOME EVENTS
That Have Made Their Mark on the Past
Year
New York Tribune.l

Year.
New York Tribune.l
Among the most interesting and import
mt events of The wear * the assem- bling, IN
response 20 Joint resolution of Congress,
uf a conference of representatives. from all
the nations of the American continent to
consider measures TO promote internatlon-
al peace and commerce. The resolution
undcr which the conference convencS was
proposed in the United States Senate by
Mr.. FTye, and in terms revived the invita-
lion formerly extended by Secretary
Blaine during President Garfleld's brief
Administration. Favorable responses cano
from all Of the States invited, so that
the conference includes every sovereign
State on the Continent. IL IS an interest
ing circumstance that it comes together
under the auspices Of Mr.. Blaine. who en-
deavorcd 10 bring II about eight years ago
Mir. Blame acts as its president. It's men,
hcTs have made very complete Journey
over the United States. studying our man
uiacturcs ard other great interests, as well
rs our system of self-government. The
plans Of tho conference contemplate the
consideration Of schemes looking TO I'M
proved International communication by
ship and rail 10 a customs union
or other equitable tariff arrangement;
10 identical customs. port and SAM,
tary regulations: to o continental
system OF weights and measures; to
"a continental monetary arrangement;
and TO an international court of arbitra-
ton. The delegates 70 Che conference are
not, under the terms Of the invitation, en-
powered 90 bind their several countries to
any definite conclusions. II is merely ex-
pected that an understanding may be
reached which shall hereafter be fruitful
81 practical results. Many Of the delega-
tiOns have. however. further dutyt per-
form in connection with proposed treaties
with this country-a duty wholly distinct
from their service in the conference.
One result of the Samoan controversy
was to take o squadron OF American naval
vessels into the port OF Apia Just IN tlme
90 encounter one Of the most fearful hur-
Yicanes ever known in the South Pacific
Ocean. The barbor contained at the time
March 15th) the American men-Ot-war
Trenton. Nandaiia, and Nipsic, the English
cruiser Caliiupe, and the German men-ot-
war Olga. Adler, and Ebor. The CallIope,
by good fortune and good seamanship, got
out To SEA and escaped without loss, but
the American and German forces were both
subjected TO heavy trials. The Trenton and
Nandalia were total losses, and the Nipslc,
though bcaohed and saved, was cruelty
damaged. The 1renton's crew without
exception was saved, but various accidents
caused q loss Of seven men to the Nipslc,
and of four officers and thirty-nine men TO
the Nandalia, in whom was included her
commander, Captain Schoonmaker. The
German cOrvottes Adler and Eber were
sunk and the Olga practically destroyed,
and nineiy-six Of their crews were drowned.
The Samoan natives behaved with great
bravery, and their good offices did much
TO promote the work of rescue and re-
COVery.
A calamity which will long be remem-
hered for its terrible consequences occurred
on the last day Of May in the Conemaugh
Valley, in PENNSYLVANIA. The waters on
an immense reservoir at JOhnstown burst
through defective wall and swept with
remorselcss fury down a long. narrow
channel, destroying the city Of JohnstOwn
and fou. villages. The loss of human
lite WAS unexampled, except IN the
deadly records OF earthquakes. Fully
6,OO0 people were drowned and twenty
millions of property destroyed. The in
cidents of the flood, and Of the weary
weeks of gloom aud anguish which fol-
lowed its devastation. during which the
dead were recovered and buried and the
wrecks IN some measure cleared away, form
"a chapter altogether sickenIng. The entire
country sprang al once TO the relief OF the
more distressed unfortunates, and $1,000
OO0 were raised and distributed III their
behalf
The wear has been more than usually pro-
ductive OF disastrous fires. confiagra-
tion in Seattle during the spring consumed
tho entire business portion Of that thriving
city, the capital OF the Puget Sound coun-
try. Another IN September did precisely
the samo work for Spokane Falls, the loss
IN each case amounting 10 quite S5,0OO.QOO.
Lynn. Mass, in the month Of December
was rayaged by ERE which practically de-
strOyed It's shoe-manuiacturinS district,
and a few days later the leather centre OF
Boston was burned. These losses also
amounted each to S5,O00000. llre-insu-
rance companies have farcd badly in 1859,
their losses being fully 100000.
Much interest has been developed IN q
proposed Worlds Fair. TO be held in 1892,
COMMUNICATING the 400th anniversary of
Americas discovery 10y Columbus. -Four
great cities, New York. Chicago, Washing
ton, and IT. Louis, are rival candidates for
the honor of entertaining the exposition.
New York and Chicago have each raised
guarantee funds 10 cover the expenses of
the show, and the controversy at the close
of the year Is awaiting COngress's decision.
During the last days Of April and the
hrst Of May in the city OF New York inn
posing ceremonies were held celebrating
the one-hundredth anniversary of the IN
auguration OF George Washington IS the
frs. PreGdent of the United States. The
events concentrating this historic Incl
dent were prepared by a representative
committee OF the citizens OF New York.
They included q naval parade Of great
beauty on the bay. centennial ball, a
presidential reception, special religious
services AT sc. Paups chapel. an Grafton by
Cnsuneey NJ. Depew, a military parade OF
great splendor aud magnitude, q banquet,
and magnificent display OF fireworks.
The President was ia attendance upon
tue most Of these ceremonies, coming from
washington city over the route which his
most INDUSTRIOUS predecessor had travelled
a century before.
The first squadron Of the new American
navy, inciuding the three Roach cruisers
the Chicago, the Atlanta, aud the Boston |
and the Cramp cruiser, the Yorktown. is
now upon the seas, commanded by Admit |
raj Walker. In the judgment OF naval ex- |
perts Of all nations these vessels are ex- |
eeiied by none Of thor class in any navy. |
Several others are practically completed, |
aud by the end Of 1880 the Baltimore, the |
Charleston, the Petrol, and three more are |
expected 10 be in commission. These battle |
ships and eight c0ast-defence vessels, to- |
getheF with cruising and $ ram.
are now N course Of construction, and eight |
new gunboats have been contracted for.
The new navy, 80 far as il has been author
'zed and appropriated for by Congress. |
may DO said 10 CONSIST Of six armored and !
thifly-one unarmored vessels. At least |
eight years must elapse before these will |
ell be ready for service at the present rate |
VI progress in the construction, and even |
then the United States win be far removed |
rom the first rank as q naval power. Is |
seems 10 be taken for granted. however, /
mai Congress, viii 80 forward with the