The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-27
IS 1T SALISBURY'S REPLY?
Believed That The President Has The British
premier'S Ultimatum
ON TIE BEHRING SEA SEAL QUESTION,
Vir. Blaine sadly Missed-The Onicials BE
coming More and More Secretive-
The Circuit Judges.

parcntV of a sensational character has de-
yelopcd in the Behring Sea controversy.
Secretary Foster had arranged to so to New
York TO-DAY on "businessof importance to the
Trcasury as be stated but his trip was pre-
vented hy q summary summons from the
President o. meet him in conference on the
Hohruc Sea question Secretary Tracy was
ALSO party TO the conference, but those who
anticipated refused to disclose the cause of
the meeting. FOR anything that was under con-
slderation. ID is surmised that something IN
tho nature Of am utimatum has been received
from Lord Salisbury Ii is just about time,
since the dispatch az Secretary Blanes note
f1r reply from the British Premier.
10 is no secret that Salisbury was netted at
tle refusal of tle Government to suspend the
catching of seals entirely for one season in
order 20 afford ample time for investigation
and arbitration The tone OF ms organs IN
heated that he was disposed To adopt sum-
mary measures The fact that the President
took personal charge of the matter: that he
summoned the conference and that he pre-
sided is regarded as evidence sufficient that
the Bchring Sea controversy has assumed
phase somewhat serious. Otherwise the Pres
idpnt would lu the ordinary course of dlplo-
matte business. remit the whole subject 10
tie State Department.
BLAINE SADLY MISSED.
Secretary Blaine is sadly missed Just at
present. His shrewd diplomatic tact is very
much needed. bat an the indications are that
le VIII not figure again I'M the disposal of IN
tornanOnal questions before next tall, to say
tie least.
Tie active part taken by the President in
she Behring Sea contentious not only evidence
oftle importance of the situation. but tcndstO
prove that Secretary Blaine is not expected
TO l- ..af off d for
As IN the case of the Chlan nsurgent yes
fel the ltata, and the pretended efforts oI the
administration 10 capture her. the Govern
ment authorities absolutely refuse 10 give
out any information wnatever concerning
any new cOmphcations i'm the Behrne sea
controversy Hence. the public ls left 70
conjecture. but all the signs, particularly the
Presidents anxiety, Indicate tAaJ the
situation demands prompt and serious con-
slderauOn.
A sEcRRTIyE ADMINISTRATION.
This administration is becoming more and
more secretiye in regard 10 matters when
greatly concern the general public and espe-
cially commercial interests. They arbitrarily
refuse any information 10 the press and sub
Ordinates who IN the discharge of clerical or
other duties have coguiZance of these proceed
ings are threatened with instant dlemlssal IL
they communicate to the press any communl-
cation whatever. These rigid orders came from
the President himself
TO is now semi-ohicially announced that the
President Will not appoint the additional
Judges Of the Circuit Court of Appeals until
after the meeting of Congress The legal au-
thouty of the executive TO make ap-
p0ntmenA of life Judges during the
recess of Congress has been denied
10y SO many of the Leading
newspapers of the country that the President
deems il safer 20 await the meeting of the
Senate Meantime. IN order TO comply with
the requirements of the new law. the court
viii be organized next month by the Justices
of the Supreme Court and by the existing
circuit judges. There are enough of these to
constitute a quorum. and the nine new places
authorized by law will not be filled until next
December.
WILL APPOINT A DEMOCRAT.
Tt can be stated from excellent authority
that the President Will name at least one and
perhaps two Democrats to the new circuit
bench. The Democrats have not made any
demand for recognition. They have held
alOOf on the theory that lt was not consistent
for them to make any requests 20 q Republl-
can administration.
Recently the President has invited several
prominent Democrats TO discuss the compost
ton of the new court, and 20 suggest one or
two able Democratic lawyers or }ursts for
places on the bench. II is probable that two
Democrats will be chosen, one from the
North and one from the South. The ndica-
tions are that Representative CulbertsOn. OF
Texas. is being favOrably considered as the
Southern Democratic member OF the new
bench.
SO far as the land court, which was created
10y the last Congress is concerned. as the
judges are 10 have only temporary or pre-
scribed tenures, it is generally conceded that
the President can appoint them during the
congressional recess and 1t IS believed that
be viii name them as soon as he can Obtain
some relief from the pressure of international
complications now existing.
TO LIQUIDATE THE DEBT.
The Nashville and Chattanooga railroad
has notified the Treasury Department that 10
is ready TO take up $500, 900 bonds of the rail-
road held by the Government on the last OF
June During the war the Government took
possession of the Nashville and Chattanooga
railroad and equipped it. At the conclusion
Of the war the Government returned the rail
road over 20 the stockholders, receiving for
its interest 81 600 COO in bonds. Half of these
bonds have already been redeemed and the
other half Will be taken up on June lst. with
interest the amount 20 be paid the govern
ment for these bonds viii aggregate SolO,OUO.
"FosrEs HAS 10 AUTHORITY"
Attorney General Miller has decided that
the Secretary OF the Treasury has no authority
under the act of July a. 1890, to issue notes
provided for by that act except III payment OF
the bullion purchased each month under It's
provisions. but the gain or selgnorage arising
from the coinage or DullOn un0ef the act |
wnen paid into the treasury becomes a |
part of the general cash, and as
such NAV be used under existing law like any
other standard silver dollars, and that silver
certificates may be issued against such dol /
lars rs NAV be offered at the Treasury for ex-
change. whether such silver dollars represent /
profit or seignorage or otherwise. There are |
about "a 1000 900 Of seignOrage IN the Treas |
ury. against which silver certificates under |
this decision can be issued.
BEAT TIE RECORD.
The United States Supreme Court during |
the term lust ended beat the previous highest |
record Of cases ever disposed of at one term |
of the court. settling six hundred and seven
teen against four hundred and seventy, !
the greatest number passed upon |
single term. A number of important !
cases are set for argument before a full !
bench Immediately after court reassembles IN |
October. Among them are the schooner
Sayward. Behring sea case, the Councilman
case involving the right of the Interstate
Commerce Commission TO compel witness 70 /
testify 10 the Baltimore and ono railroad
theatrical rate controversy about the yaldity |
Of the Mckinley tariff and customs aoininis-
tratiye acts.