Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-01-12
DEATH KNELL
The Senate Unanimously Rat
ifies the Brussels Treaty.
A LITTLE RIPPLE IN THE HOUSE.

It Was the First Political spat Of the
Session and Was Lively while Il Lasted,
but 1t Finally Passed or in Good
Natured Manner.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-The senate re-
Fponded to the pressure brought to bear by
religious bodies from all over the country
by unanimously ratifying the general inter
national agreement for the prevention and
suppression of the slave trade, which was
adopted in Brussels on July 2 1890. The
time within which this general anti-slAvery
act should have been ratified expired July 2,
1891, but was subsequently extended. In a
special message sent to the senate on Feb. %
last the president urgently invited atten-
tion 10 the fact that unless this anti-slavery
act, "as well as the commercial convention
with the independent state Of the Congo
should be promptly ratified the whole work
Of the Brussels conference would be inn
periled. By its action the senate practically
covered the two subjects.
The Anti-slavery Act Ratified.
It ratified the anti-slavery act, with a pro.
viso plainly intimating that as the United
States had neither possessions nor protector
ates in Africa, it declined to take any part
in the struggle for the acquisition of terri
tory in that continent now progressing be-
tween Germany, Great Britain and the
Congo state, represented by Belgium, and at
the same time it rescinded to some extent
what is known as the Sanford agreement
with the Congo state by which, in return for
the early recognition of the flag Of that coun-
| try by the United States, our products were
to be admitted free
The United States now assents TO q clause
| by which, In recognition Of the expense to be
| incurred by the Congo state in the suppress
sion Of the slave trade, an ad valorem duty
not to exceed 10 per cent. is to be levied for
fifteen years by the Congo state upon United
States products. The project agreed upon
| by the senate was in words as follows:
The Treaty Adopted.
Resolved two thirds Of the senators present
concurring therein) That the senate advise
and consent to the ratification of the general
| act signed at Brussels, July ., 1891 by the plen
/ ipoteniaries Of the United States and Other
powers for the suppression Of the African slave
| trade and for other purposes.
Resolved further, That the senate advise and
consent to the acceptance Of the partial ratih
cation OF the said general act on the part Of tbs
| EelulAC anu the flulaAlofAb EeltNlNf
| thereto as set forth ia the protocol signed a.
Brussels, Jan. ., 1892.
Resolved further, a part Of this act oi
ratification, That the United States Of America
having neither possessions nor protectorates Il
Africa, hereby disclaim any intention in ratify
ing this treaty, to indicate any interest what
soever in the possessions or protectorates es
tahlished or claimed on that continent by tn,
other powers, or any approval Of the wisdom
expediency or lawfulness thereof, aud does no
Join IN any expressions ia the said general ac
which might be construed As sncb a declaration
or acknowledgement, and for this reason tina
it Is desirable thai copy OF this resolution b
inserted in the protocol TO be drawn UP at tn,
time Of the exchange Of the ratification Of thi
treaty on the part Of the United States
For Monetary Conference.
Mr.. Teller presented a concurrent resolu
tion, reciting that it was the determines
policy Of the government to use both gol
and silver as a circulating medium every
where, either under the ratio now estat
lished or under auy other ratio that nigh
be agreed upon, and that the president c
the United States shall invite the nations @
the world 10 a conference to decide upon
common ratio for the purpose Of establish
ing bimetallic money. circulating upon
! fxity of value between these governments.
This conference to be held at such plac
as the majority Of the nations accepting tn
invitation might agree upon. The pres
. dent, whenever in his judgment a sufiicien
number Of nations had agreed upon a ratio
shall make official declaration of that rati
and authorize all coinage Of the Unite
States to be upon that basis until otherwis
ordered. To carry into effect this resolr
tion the president is authorized to appoiI
not less than three nor more than five con
nlissioners at a salary Of 5000 year an
necessary expenses