The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-06

inside and outside Is favorable Tor station
ary torpedoes, and the shores ara low. 1t
with mortar battery and a few guns:
also to occupy with batteries an
other point to the southeast Of the
hotel on Coronado Island at the brlek-yard.
With Point Iona these batteries Will cover
all thespace from which the city and har-
Dor can be bombarded The brick-yard
ought TO be occupied by two or three guns
and mortar battery. A post at or near the
plaza will be convenient to the bat
teries on tie main shore, namely
but it will be separated from the other
two batteries on North Island and tie
brick-yard by the width Of the harbor and
by distances of three and ten miles respect
fully. The price for the Hardacre tract. it Is
claimed, is reasonable, and has been exam
ined by the General commanding the army
who has expressed the most favorable Opin-
ion Of the land, its situation aud its adapt
ability for military purposes"
INTERSTATE COMMERCE REPORT.
The annual report of the Interstate Conf
merce Commission states that there has
been marked improvement during the
year In the disposition of the carriers to-
ward a compliance with the law, but as
regards the duty of establishing and pub
fishing rates and charges little progress has
been made. The public grievances arising
from the failure of the carriers to comply
pointed out. Under the question of "con-
Meeting lines" the most important subject
treated is that OF through routes an d rates.
The question of legislative power to compel
connecting carriers to grant through facfli-
ties is discussed at length, and, while the
difficulties are acknowledged ana explained,
they are shown not to be lnsuperdble.
Attention is directed to the dissimilarity OF
the terms Of the various bills Of lading
in common use, and conflict OF Judicial
opinion as respects the rights and duties OF
shippers and carriers Hereunder. A pro-
posed uniform bill of lading and the objec-
tions of the shipping interests thereto are
discussed and some of its features, especi-
ally the provision that property taken at
carriers risk shall be rated as one class
higher than if taken at owners risk, are
disapprOved.
The commission recommends a mode OF
proceeding before the commission and in
courts to enforce the commissions orders
definite action to compel carriers to adopt
uniform classification, aud that the last sec
tion OF the act be so amended that the cor
p0rati0ns, as well as their employees and
agents, shall be indictable.
STEWARDS SILVER BILL.
Senator Stewart of Nevada added new
feature to the silver question to-day by ths
introduction Of resolution founded on the
proposition that the holders of silver bullion
are entitled under an existing law, never
tain, to the Tree coinage of silver. the
resolution directs that the Committee on
Judiciary inquire If any further legislation
is necessary to make it the duty of the
proper officers Of The Mint TO receive and
coin silver bullion for the benefit OF the de-
positOrs.
Senator Stewart said that it is provided
in the act of 1887 "that gold and silver
bullion brought to the Mint for coinage
shall be received and coined by tile proper
officers for the benefit Of the depositors."
There is no other mode or manner provided
for the coinage. The act of 1878 revlyes the
law of 1887. The omission to enforce this
provision is unaccOuntable. 1t appears to
have been overlooked by all the parties that
have examined the question and failed TO
find any repeal or modification Of the
statute, and it will be a surprise II the
Judiciary Committee do not fnd that as
matter of law il is the duty of officers OF
the Mint TO coin the silver bullion into
standard dollars at the ratio Of 10 to l for
the benefit of the depUstnrs.
HYDRAULIC MINING COMMISSION.
Representative Gtary of California intro
duced bill to-day providing that the Sec
retary of War shall assign three officers Of
the United States Army from the Engineer
Corps located in California. who Shall have
supervision of all the operations conducted
in said State under operations OF this act,
and who shall be known as the United States
ers of mineral land situated in California ca
pable only Of being mined by what's known
In California as the hydraulic process, shall
before proceeding to operate such mine or
mines. file with such Board Of Engineers an
application for license to conduct such
mine, and in such application shall desig-
nate the location of such mi eral land, the
number of acres and mode of mining de-
sired to be employed.
THE SILVER BRICK CASE.
Assistant Attorney General Maury has
prepared the Defendants brief in the casa
OF George q. Merrick ct al. against the Sec
Tetary of the Treasury, better known as the
SILVER brick case. He rests the case on
the law as settled by the Supreme CourE
and declines TO argue unless requested by
the court.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE EXTENDED.
Post Chaplain John d. Parker United
States Army, having been found lncapaci-
tated for active service by on army retiring
board, leave of absence an surgeons GER
tlfcate Of disability, granted him in the
Department of Arizona, is extended until
further orders, on account of disability.
CONFERENCE WITH SENIOR MoNTT.
Secretary Blaine and Senor Mont, the
Chilean Minister. had a long conference
at the formers residence to-day. All that
is known about the conference is that it WIS
of sufficient length and Importance to keep
Blaine away from the Cabinet meeting.
PENSIONS GRANTED.
Pensions have been granted to the follow
ing Caifornians: Henry Keller, Thomas
Byrne, Alexander Dawson, Edwin Pratt,
William Russell, James w. Mcfarland,
Frank S. Doyle, Charles II. Hunting,
Thomas Martin, Emellne Devoe and Bridget
Enright
RETALIATORY PROCLAMATION.
The President is now engaged in prepar-
ing a proclamation of retaliation against
those countries which refused to enter into
reciprocal trade relations with this country,
and Will probably have it ready for issuance
before the end of the present week.
FIYE-YEAR TERM.
Representative Pattison of Ohio intro
duced joint resolution amending The Con-
stitution by making the Presidential term
five years, and declaring the incumbent in-
eligible for reelection.
CALL OF DEMOCRATIC CLUBS.
A call was issued today by Chairman
Wilson for q meeting Wednesday, January
goth. of the Executive Committee of the Ma
tfonal Association of Democratic Clubs.
THE CABINET MEETING.
The Cabinet meeting to-day was attended
by all the members excepting Secretaries
Blaine and Elkins.